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Free Credit Report Check and Reducing Identity Theft
A free credit report check can be an easy but important way to reduce the possible effects of
identity theft. Most people don't regularly check their credit report and so they don't know
when a thief has stolen their identity and ruined their credit. In fact the Federal Trade
Commission says that the average victim isn't aware of the theft until about a year after it
happens. Getting your free credit report check won't eliminate identity theft,
but it can let you spot it and prevent more extensive damage from being done.
Identity theft occurs when your personal information is stolen and then used for fraudulent
purposes. And if you should find unauthorized charges or accounts when you get your free credit
report check, there are four things you need to do immediately:
- Contact the fraud departments of the three major credit bureaus: Equifax (800)525-6285,
Experian (888)397-3742 and TransUnion (800)680-7289. Tell them to flag your file with a fraud
alert and to include a statement that creditors are to contact you before opening any accounts
in your name. Ask for a copy of your credit report from each bureau. They're required by law
to give you the copies free when your credit report is inaccurate due to fraud. Check
the reports for fraudulent accounts or charges against existing accounts that didn't show up
in your free credit report check.
- Next, telephone the creditors of the accounts that have had fraudulent activity. Explain
that your identity was stolen and you're not responsible for the debts. In order to protect
your rights you'll also need to write the creditors with your explanation of the situation.
- Third, you should file a police report and keep a copy for any creditors who will ask for it.
- Finally, close out the fraudulent accounts that you found in your free credit report check and
verify that the billing address for the remaining accounts is yours. To increase the security
for any new accounts, ask to have a password used when making any changes to the account.
To get your free credit report check and free 30 days of credit monitoring, please go to
free instant credit reports.
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