Anyone Can Fall Prey to Identity Theft
Identity theft is a traumatic experience that can leave you with time-consuming burdens and substantial financial losses. With advances in technology, the increase of identity theft cases has become an issue for many consumers. Unlawful disclosure of your credit report, e-mail scams and intercepting bank statements and credit card offers are several ways others can obtain your personal information.
Whether credit card accounts were opened in your name or money has been stolen from your existing bank accounts, with the guidance of a dedicated consumer protection attorney you are taking a step in the right direction.
At Keogh Law, Ltd., in Chicago, Illinois, we have helped numerous victims of identity theft with the credit issues that result from these crimes. We have been recognized throughout the legal and local communities for our dedication to meeting our clients' objectives. Through consistent communication, and with the vast legal knowledge at our disposal, we will work with you to determine what steps to take to protect you from further harm.
Step One — Stop the Use of Your Identity
Place a Fraud Alert on Your Reports
If you are a victim of identity theft, you should visit the FTC's web site. The FTC recommends that you take the following steps as soon as possible, and you should always keep a record with the details of your conversations and copies of all correspondence as well as the time you spent doing so.
The first thing you should do is a fraud alert on your credit reports, and review your credit reports. Fraud alerts can help stop any more accounts in your name. Contact any of the three consumer reporting companies below to place a fraud alert on your credit report. You only need to contact one of the companies as it is required to contact the other two, which will place an alert on their versions of your report.
TransUnion: 1-800-680-7289
www.transunion.com
Fraud Victim Assistance Division
P.O. Box 6790, Fullerton, CA 92834-6790
Equifax: 1-800-525-6285
www.equifax.com
P.O. Box 740241, Atlanta, GA 30374-0241
Experian: 1-888-EXPERIAN (397-3742)
www.experian.com
P.O. Box 9532, Allen, TX 75013
File A Complaint With the FTC
You should next file a complaint with the FTC using its on-line complaint form; or call the FTC's Identity Theft Hotline, toll-free: 1-877-ID-THEFT (438-4338); TTY: 1-866-653-4261; or write Identity Theft Clearinghouse, Federal Trade Commission, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20580.
You can then provide a printed copy of your online Complaint form to the police to incorporate into their police report. The printed FTC ID Theft Complaint, in conjunction with the police report, can constitute an Identity Theft Report and entitle you to certain protections. This Identity Theft Report can be used to (1) permanently block fraudulent information from appearing on your credit report; (2) ensure that debts do not reappear on your credit report; (3) prevent a company from continuing to collect debts that result from identity theft; and (4) place an extended fraud alert on your credit report.
File a Police Report
Go to your local police department and tell them that you want to file a report about your identity theft. If the police won't let you file a report, ask to file a "Miscellaneous Incident" report, or try another jurisdiction, like your state police.
Make sure to bring a copy of your FTC ID Theft Complaint Form to the police department. Ask the officer to attach or incorporate the ID Theft Complaint into their police report. Tell them that you need a copy of the Identity Theft Report (the police report with your ID Theft Complaint attached or incorporated) to dispute the fraudulent accounts and debts created by the identity thief.
Contact the Company's Fraud Department
Next you should call and write to the company's fraud department who you believe allowed the account to be opened fraudulently. If you call, you should always follow up in writing, and include copies of supporting documents. As with all such communications, keep a copy for your records send your letters by certified mail, return receipt requested, so you can document what the company received and when.
Step Two — Dispute the Inaccurate Information With the CRAs
If you find fraudulent or inaccurate information on your credit report, get it removed by sending a dispute letter as set out in the link above and include a copy of your Identity Theft Report and Police Report. You should check your credit reports to insure that no other fraudulent activity appears.
If the CRAs refuse to remove the information, please contact us.
Contact Our Firm Today
To schedule a free consultation with one of our consumer protection lawyers, please call 312-265-3258 or send us an e-mail now. We handle a majority of our cases on a contingency basis.