Identity Theft: What To Do If You've Had Your Identity Stolen

Several years ago, I was helping one of my favorite clients Mindy get started with her online business. We went online to buy web hosting for her website, and her credit card was denied. We tried another and another, and they were all denied. We then tried to purchase something as simple as an iTunes song. Once again, she was denied. As we found out later, her identity had been stolen and severely abused.

Identity theft is the single fastest growing crime in the world today, especially in the United States. Millions are being faced with bankruptcy, garnishments and a host of other trials because of the actions of a few dishonest others.

Some find out when they themselves go to apply for a loan or mortgage and they are told that their credit score is bad. This is the first inkling a lot of people get that something is wrong. Others get inundated with phone calls about purchases they no nothing about.That is the sad part of all of this is that you never know it has happened until it is too late.

I've been a small business consulting coach and a counselor for many years now. So I've seen some bizarre things in the way of identity theft. If you are a victim of identity theft there are things that you can do according to the Federal Trade commission. Here are the four steps that they suggest and while taking these steps you should record all conversations and keep copious records of all of the people in the agencies you contact.

1. Contact one of the three credit reporting bureaus, Experian, TransUnion and Equifax right away. Ask them to initiate a "Fraud Alert" on your records. This way when any new request for credit comes up it will be rejected. You only have to call one they are required by law to alert the other two.

Once this is done request that they send you copies of your credit report. You will be entitled to this free of charge because of the fraud alert. Go over the reports carefully.

You will be looking for request from companies you have had no dealings with. Anything that you find that is not something you did personally you can have it removed.

2. Contact one of the three credit reporting bureaus, Experian, TransUnion and Equifax right away. Ask them to initiate a "Fraud Alert" on your records. This way when any new request for credit comes up it will be rejected. You only have to call one they are required by law to alert the other two.

Once this is done request that they send you copies of your credit report. You will be entitled to this free of charge because of the fraud alert. Go over the reports carefully. You will be looking for request from companies you have had no dealings with. Anything that you find that is not something you did personally you can have it removed.

3. The second part of this process is that you have to verify who you are for the agency. If the consumer credit reporting agency you contacted needs this information they have 15 days to request it of you.

After you have made your request or they receive the report from the police or other agency. Make sure you give them all of the information before the end of the fifteen days or you will have to start the process all over again.

Finally you may be able to file a report without a face -to-face meeting by going online to the FTC website. What ever you do, do not wait. The longer you leave it, the more time thieves will have to add more debt to your name and the harder it will be to bounce back.


------

Dr. Lindle is a small business consulting guru, teacher, and expert. If you need to buy web hosting, Pat is one of the foremost experts in the world when it comes to optimal hosting services for multiple platforms.