Get Your Credit Scores

Don't think that you only need to get your credit scores once, and all will be fine. You need to get your credit scores on a regular basis- Several times throughout the year. Be sure to check your full report as well, including any new items or negative entries that may pop up. If you notice anything odd or anything you don't recognize (such as a charge account you did not open) report it immediately. It very well could be someone attempting to steal your identity, or even a mistake made in reporting by the credit bureaus. Either way, identity theft or reporting mistakes both can take a toll on your credit score. Repairing your credit and credit errors improves your credit score. If you think you have been the victim of identity theft, take action at once:

1) Contact all three credit bureaus and ask to speak to the fraud department. Explain that you have been the victim of identity theft (or believe you may have been) and ask that an "alert" be placed on your file. This will let anyone looking at your report know that you may have been the victim of fraud. It will also mean that you will be alerted any time a lender asks to look at your file - each time a lender does look at your file, it may be an indication that the identity thieves are trying to open a new account in your name.

In some states, you can even ask for a freeze to be placed on your credit score and credit report which will prevent anyone but yourself and those creditors you already have from accessing your file. Any lenders the thieves contact to set up a new account will be refused access and the thieves will not be able to get any more money in your name. You are entitled to a free copy of your credit report if you have been the victim of identity theft. Be sure to take advantage of this offer so that you can check exactly how your credit has been affected. I've included a free resource at the end of this article where you can get your free credit report and your credit scores.

You should also call the Social Security Fraud Department. I had never heard of doing that until advised by a bank that called to tell me an application for credit was made over the internet in my name. The alert means any company that checks your credit knows your information was stolen, and they have to contact you by phone to authorize new credit.

2)Immediately file a police report. Identity theft is a crime and you need to file a police report (be sure to keep a copy of this report) so that you can help the police potentially catch the criminals responsible. Contacting the police will also give you a paper trail and proof that a crime has been committed. Keeping a paper trail of the crime and your response will make it easier for you to repair your credit if it has been damaged by identity thieves.

3)Call the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at 1-877-438-4338. This is the special hotline that the FTC has set up to help customers deal with fraud and identity theft. You will be able to get up-to-date information about your rights and advice as to what you can do to improve your credit score and keep in safe in the future.

4) Make sure to alert all of your creditors that you think someone has applied to with your identity.. Ask to speak to the security department and explain your situation. You may need to have your accounts closed or at least your passwords changed to protect yourself. You may also need to fill out a fraud affidavit to state that a crime has been committed - be sure to keep a copy of this form for your records.

An important security step: Take all the contents of your wallet out and photocopy the front and back of each credit card, your license, and any other membership cards etc. believe me, you will be glad you did this if and when your wallet goes missing. The back of each credit card has the important 800 numbers you need when calling to cancel each card. You will be glad these numbers are handy. Keep a copy of this information filed away in a safe place or even a fire proof safe if you have one. I keep my copies of my wallet contents together with my original birth certificate, social security card, and other sensitive documents in a small fire proof safe.

The first step when repairing your credit is to always know your credit scores. You can find out here
GetMyCreditScores
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You have the right to a free credit report from AnnualCreditReport.com
or 877-322-8228, the ONLY authorized source under federal law.


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