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Identity Theft

With the rise of the electronic age, consumers are at a very high level of risk for Identity Theft. Consumers should be very cautious about giving out credit card account numbers and other identifying information over the Web, but there are many other places criminals can obtain information about you. From your trash bags to your mail, there are many opportunities for criminals to steal damaging personal information.

Signs of Identity Theft

• Unknown credit accounts or inquiries from places you have not applied to begin to appear on your credit report.

• You receive mail or pre-approved credit offers to your address with another person’s name on it.

• You begin receiving collection notices from debt collectors on accounts you do not have.

• Your credit report lists a name or address on it that you have never used.

If you have questions regarding obtaining, reading, or understanding your credit report, contact Corey Meridew for a free telephone consultation. 

Often times creditors and the credit bureaus do not maintain accurate information about you.  Additionally, the credit bureaus and creditors often mix up or merge the information of consumers, causing inaccurate information belonging to someone else to appear on your credit report.

Identity Theft Can Hurt You

Identity thieves can receive credit in your name, run up substantial charges, and destroy your credit rating.  This makes future purchases on credit almost impossible.  Insurance companies can deny you coverage or can charge you higher rates based on your credit score.  Creditors may harass you because they believe you owe debts that you do not know.

Under federal law, you may be entitled to receive money damages for creditors and/or credit bureaus failing to remove inaccurate information from your credit report based upon identity theft.  You are also allowed to place a fraud block on your account which will notify potential creditors not to extend credit without verifying your identity.  Contact Corey Meridew for a free consultation.

Thieves often go through your mail or trash to steal information about your identity.  Other thieves steal your wallet.  There are other ways that you may become a victim of identity theft.

Recently, identity theft has become a major problem.  Credit card, insurance, and other companies are now offering identity theft protection for a montly fee.

Typically, you learn that you're a victim of identity theft when you receive a bill in the mail or a collector is calling you for payment on a debt you are unfamiliar with.  We encourage consumers to check their credit reports regularly, and to shred all statements with their address on them to help prevent unauthorized activities.  The Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act entitles you to a free copy of your credit report each year.  The form you will need to use is located at www.annualcreditreport.com. You can also write to Annual Credit Report Request Service, P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta, GA 30348-5281 for a free yearly report.

What should you do?

If you feel you are the victim of identity theft, you should file a police report where you reside, plus in any area where you believe the fraudulent activity  took place.  Then, get a copy of each report.  Additionally, file fraud affidavits with the ftc.  Their form is available at www.ftc.gov.  If the unfamiliar creditor requires that you fill out an affidavit, or other form, then you should carefully read this paperwork for accuracy before signing and returning the copy.  Keep copies for you records.  Additionally, send the unknown creditors a certified letter with a return receipt requested disputing that the debt is accurate.  Make sure to let the company know that this is a case of identity theft, while enclosing copies of the police forms, ftc form, and any affidavits.  Request a statement from the creditor that you will not be held responsible for the debt.  Keep copies of the letters you sent.

Once you receive a response from the creditors, send certified letters with a return receipt request to the three credit bureaus listed below:

Equifax
PO Box 740241
Atlanta, GA 30374

Experian
PO Box 9701
Allen, TX 75013

Trans Union LLC
PO Box 1000
Chester, PA 19022

If you do not receive the proper result, contact us at 317-770-0000 once the credit bureaus have responded to you.