Protecting yourself when falling victim to identity theft

Place a freeze on your credit with all 3 credit bureaus.  To place a freeze on your credit the credit bureaus will ask for a copy of your police report must be provided to show that you are a victim of identity theft.  When a freeze is placed on your credit, none of your credit information can be shared with potential creditors.  You can place a freeze on your credit to also avoid identity theft, however you will have to remove the freeze to apply for credit.  Placing a freeze on your credit will cost $10.00 with each credit bureau, unless you have been a victim of identity theft or over the age of 65. 

The 3 major credit bureaus are:

Trans Union

To order your report call 800-916-8800 or go to the website

To report fraud call 800-680-7289

To request a security freeze: 

Trans Union Security Freeze

PO Box 6790

Fullerton CA 92834

Experian

To order your report call 888-397-3742 or go to the website

To report fraud call 888-397-3742

To request a security freeze:

Experian Security Freeze

PO Box 9554

Allen TX 75013

Equifax

To order your credit report call 800-685-1111 or go to the website

To report fraud call 800-525-6285

To request a security freeze:

Equifax Security Freeze

PO Box 105788

Atlanta GA 30348

To place a security freeze each credit bureau will require a letter sent by certified mail.  If you are a victim of identity theft you will have to include a copy of the police report, your full name, (including middle initial as well as Jr., Sr., II, III etc.) address, Social Security number and date of birth.  You should also include information stating your addresses for the past 5 years, proof of current address, such as utility bill or phone bill, and a photocopy of a government issued identification card.  (Drivers license, State ID card, or Military ID, etc.)  If you are not a victim of identity theft and under the age of 65, you will also need to include a check or money order payable to the credit bureau for $10.00. 

After 5 business days from receiving your letter, the credit reporting agencies will place a freeze on your credit.  Ten business days from receiving your letter to place a freeze on your credit, the credit agency will send you a confirmation letter containing a PIN or password.  

You can open new credit accounts if you temporarily lift the freeze on your credit.  To do this you will have to contact the credit agencies, provide proper identification, your PIN or password provided by them and inform the credit agency of the period of time your credit report will be accessible.  Or you may give the credit reporting agency the name of the company you want the freeze lifted for.  If you are not a victim of identity theft or are under the age of 65 each time you temporarily lift the freeze the cost for each bureau is $10.00.  The credit bureaus must lift the freeze no later than 3 business days from receiving your request.  You can order your own credit report through each bureau while your credit report is frozen, but anyone else will receive a message or code stating that the file is frozen.

Who is using your credit?~Part 1