WELCOME TO:
KNOWLEDGEFINANCIAL.COM
''.Take steps to respond to and recover from identity
theft as soon as you suspect it.


What are the steps I should take if I'm a victim of
identity theft?
What is a fraud alert?
What is a credit freeze?
What is an identity theft report?
What do I do if the police only take reports about
identity theft over the Internet or telephone?What do I
do if the local police won't take a report?
How do I prove that I'm an identity theft victim?
Should I apply for a new Social Security number?

What are the steps I should take if I'm a victim of
identity theft?
KNOWLEDGEFINANCIAL.COM

If you are a victim of identity theft, take the following
four steps as soon as possible, and keep a record
with the details of your conversations and copies of all
correspondence.

1. Place a fraud alert on your credit reports, and review
your credit reports.

Fraud alerts can help prevent an identity thief from
opening any more accounts in your name. Contact the
toll-free fraud number of 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
three companies to place an alert.

The company you call is required to contact the other
two, which will place an alert on their versions of your
report, too. If you do not receive a confirmation from a
company, you should contact that company directly to
place a fraud alert.

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

TransUnion: 1-800-680-7289; www.transunion.com;
Fraud Victim Assistance Division, P.O. Box 6790,
Fullerton, CA 92834-6790

Once you place the fraud alert in your file, you're
entitled to order one free copy of your credit report from
each of the three consumer reporting companies, and,
if you ask, only the last four digits of your Social
Security number will appear on your credit reports.

Once you get your credit reports, review them carefully.
Look for inquiries from companies you haven't
contacted, accounts you didn't open, and debts on
your accounts that you can't explain. Check that
information, like your Social Security number, address
(es), name or initials, and employers are correct.

If you find fraudulent or inaccurate information, get it
removed. See Correcting Fraudulent Information in
Credit Reports to learn how. When you correct your
credit report, use an Identity Theft Report with a cover
letter explaining your request, to get the fastest and
most complete results.  

Continue to check your credit reports periodically,
especially for the first year after you discover the
identity theft, to make sure no new fraudulent activity
has occurred.
KNOWLEDGEFINANCIAL.COM

2. Close the accounts that you know, or believe,
have been tampered with or opened fraudulently.

Call and speak with someone in the security or fraud
department of each company. Follow up in writing, and
include copies (NOT originals) of supporting
documents.
It's important to notify credit card companies and
banks in writing. Send your letters by certified mail,
return receipt requested, so you can document what
the company received and when. Keep a file of your
correspondence and enclosures.

When you open new accounts, use new Personal
Identification Numbers (PINs) and passwords. Avoid
using easily available information like your mother's
maiden name, your birth date, the last four digits of
your Social Security number or your phone number, or
a series of consecutive numbers.

If the identity thief has made charges or debits on your
accounts, or has fraudulently opened accounts, ask
the company for the forms to dispute those
transactions:

For charges and debits on existing accounts, ask the
representative to send you the company's fraud
dispute forms. If the company doesn't have special
forms, use the sample letter to dispute the fraudulent
charges or debits. In either case, write to the company
at the address given for "billing inquiries," NOT the
address for sending your payments.


For new unauthorized accounts, you can either file a
dispute directly with the company or file a report with
the police and provide a copy, called an “Identity Theft
Report,” to the company.  
If you want to file a dispute directly with the company,
and do not want to file a report with the police, ask if
the company accepts the FTC’s ID Theft Affidavit (PDF,
56 KB). If it does not, ask the representative to send
you the company's fraud dispute forms.


However, filing a report with the police and then
providing the company with an Identity Theft Report will
give you greater protection.  
For example, if the company has already reported
these unauthorized accounts or debts on your credit
report, an Identity Theft Report will require them to stop
reporting that fraudulent information. Use the cover
letter to explain to the company the rights you have by
using the Identity Theft Report.  

More information about getting and using an Identity
Theft Report can be found here.
Once you have resolved your identity theft dispute with
the company, ask for a letter stating that the company
has closed the disputed accounts and has
discharged the fraudulent debts. This letter is your
best proof if errors relating to this account reappear on
your credit report or you are contacted again about the
fraudulent debt.


3. File a complaint with the Federal Trade
Commission. KNOWLEDGEFINANCIAL.COM

You can file a complaint with the FTC using the online
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.  Be sure to call the Hotline to
update your complaint if you have any additional
information or problems.

By sharing your identity theft complaint with the FTC,
you will provide important information that can help
law enforcement officials across the nation track down
identity thieves and stop them.

The FTC can refer victims' complaints to other
government agencies and companies for further
action, as well as investigate companies for violations
of laws the agency enforces.  

Additionally, you can 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.

4. File a report with your local police or the police in the
community where the identity theft took place.
KNOWLEDGEFINANCIAL.COM

Call your local police department and tell them that
you want to file a report about your identity theft.   Ask
them if you can file the report in person.   If you cannot,
ask if you can file a report over the Internet or
telephone.  See below for information about
Automated Reports.

If the police are reluctant to take your report, ask to file
a "Miscellaneous Incident" report, or try another
jurisdiction, like your state police.
You also can check with your state Attorney General's
office to find out if state law requires the police to take
reports for identity theft. Check the Blue Pages of your
telephone directory for the phone number or check
www.naag.org for a list of state Attorneys General.

When you go to your local police department to file
your report, bring a printed copy of your FTC ID Theft
Complaint form, your cover letter, and your supporting
documentation. The cover letter explains why a police
report and an ID Theft Complaint are so important to
victims.

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.

(In some jurisdictions the officer will not be able to
give you a copy of the official police report, but should
be able to sign your Complaint and write the police
report number in the “Law Enforcement Report”
section.)


What is a fraud alert?
There are two types of fraud alerts: an initial alert,
and an extended alert.

An initial fraud alert stays on your credit report for at
least 90 days. You may ask that an initial fraud alert be
placed on your credit report if you suspect you have
been, or are about to be, a victim of identity theft. An
initial alert is appropriate if your wallet has been stolen
or if you've been taken in by a "phishing" scam.

With an initial fraud alert, potential creditors must use
what the law refers to as “reasonable policies and
procedures” to verify your identity before issuing credit
in your name.  However, the steps potential creditors
take to verify your identity may not always alert them
that the applicant is not you.

When you place an initial fraud alert on your credit
report, you're entitled to order one free credit report
from each of the three nationwide consumer reporting
companies, and, if you ask, only the last four digits of
your Social Security number will appear on your credit
reports.


An extended fraud alert stays on your credit report for
seven years. You can have an extended alert placed
on your credit report if you've been a victim of identity
theft and you provide the consumer reporting company
with an Identity Theft Report.

An automated Identity Theft Report, such as the
printed ID Theft Complaint available from this Web
site, should be sufficient to obtain an extended fraud
alert. With an extended fraud alert, potential creditors
must actually contact you, or meet with you in person,
before they issue you credit.

When you place an extended alert on your credit
report, you're entitled to two free credit reports within
twelve months from each of the three nationwide
consumer reporting companies.

In addition, the consumer reporting companies will
remove your name from marketing lists for pre-
screened credit offers for five years unless you ask
them to put your name back on the list before then.

To place either of these alerts on your credit report, or
to have them removed, you will be required to provide
appropriate proof of your identity: that may include your
Social Security number, name, address and other
personal information requested by the consumer
reporting company.

As mentioned, depending on the type of fraud alert you
place, potential creditors must either contact you or
take reasonable steps to verify your identity.  

This may cause some delays if you're trying to obtain
credit. To compensate for possible delays, you may
wish to include a cell phone number, where you can
be reached easily, in your alert. Remember to keep all
contact information in your alert current.

What does a fraud alert not do?
KNOWLEDGEFINANCIAL.COM

While a fraud alert can help keep an identity thief from
opening new accounts in your name, it’s not a solution
to all types of identity theft.
It will not protect you from an identity thief using your
existing credit cards or other accounts.  It also will not
protect you from an identity thief opening new
accounts in your name that do not require a credit
check – such as a telephone, wireless, or bank
account.  

And, if there’s identity theft already going on when you
place the fraud alert, the fraud alert alone won’t stop it.  
A fraud alert, however, can be extremely useful in
stopping identity theft that involves opening a new line
of credit.  


What is a credit freeze?

Many states have laws that let consumers “freeze”
their credit – in other words, letting a consumer restrict
access to his or her credit report. If you place a credit
freeze, potential creditors and other third parties will
not be able to get access to your credit report unless
you temporarily lift the freeze.  

This means that it’s unlikely that an identity thief would
be able to open a new account in your name.  Placing
a credit freeze does not affect your credit score – nor
does it keep you from getting your free annual credit
report, or from buying your credit report or score.

Credit freeze laws vary from state to state.  In some
states, anyone can freeze their credit file, while in other
states, only identity theft victims can.  The cost of
placing, temporarily lifting, and removing a credit
freeze also varies.  Many states make credit freezes
free for identity theft victims, while other consumers
pay a fee – typically $10.  

It’s also important to know that these costs are for
each of the credit reporting agencies.  If you want to
freeze your credit, it would mean placing the freeze
with each of three credit reporting agencies, and
paying the fee to each one.  

You can find more information about credit freeze laws
specific to your state by clicking here, including
information on how to place one.  

Who can access my credit report if I place a credit
freeze?

If you place a credit freeze, you will continue to have
access to your free annual credit report.  You’ll also be
able to buy your credit report and credit score even
after placing a credit freeze.

Companies that you do business with will still have
access to your credit report – for example, your
mortgage, credit card, or cell phone company – as
would collection agencies that are working for one of
those companies.  

Companies will also still be able to offer you
prescreened credit.  Those are the credit offers you
receive in the mail that you have not applied for.  
Additionally, in some states, potential employers,
insurance companies, landlords, and other non-
creditors can still get access to your credit report with
a credit freeze in place.      

Can I temporarily lift my credit freeze if I need to let
someone check my credit report?

If you want to apply for a loan or credit card, or
otherwise need to give someone access to your credit
report and that person is not covered by an exception
to the credit freeze law, you would need to temporarily
lift the credit freeze.  You would do that by using a PIN
that each credit reporting agency would send once you
placed the credit freeze.

In most states, you’d have to pay a fee to lift the credit
freeze.  Most states currently give the credit reporting
agencies three days to lift the credit freeze.  This might
keep you from getting “instant” credit, which may be
something to weigh when considering a credit freeze.  

What does a credit freeze not do?
KNOWLEDGEFINANCIAL.COM

While a credit freeze can help keep an identity thief
from opening most new accounts in your name, it’s
not a solution to all types of identity theft.  It will not
protect you, for example, from an identity thief who
uses your existing credit cards or other accounts.  

There are also new accounts, such as telephone,
wireless, and bank accounts, which an ID thief could
open without a credit check.  In addition, some
creditors might open an account without first getting
your credit report.

And, if there’s identity theft already going on when you
place the credit freeze, the freeze itself won’t be able to
stop it.  While a credit freeze may not protect you in
these kinds of cases, it can protect you from the vast
majority of identity theft that involves opening a new
line of credit.  

What’s the difference between a credit freeze and a
fraud alert?

A fraud alert is another tool for people who’ve had their
ID stolen – or who suspect it may have been stolen.  
With a fraud alert in place, businesses may still check
your credit report.  

Depending on whether you place an initial 90-day
fraud alert or an extended fraud alert, potential
creditors must either contact you or use what the law
refers to as “reasonable policies and procedures” to
verify your identity before issuing credit in your name.  
However, the steps potential creditors take to verify
your identity may not always alert them that the
applicant is not you.  

A credit freeze, on the other hand, will prevent potential
creditors and other third parties from accessing your
credit report at all, unless you lift the freeze or already
have a relationship with the company.  Some
consumers use credit freezes because they feel they
give more protection.

As with credit freezes, fraud alerts are mainly effective
against new credit accounts being opened in your
name, but will likely not stop thieves from using your
existing accounts, or opening new accounts such as
new telephone or wireless accounts, where credit is
often not checked.  Also, only people who’ve had their
ID stolen – or who suspect it may have been stolen,
may place fraud alerts.  In some states, anyone can
place a credit freeze.  


What is an Identity Theft Report?
KNOWLEDGEFINANCIAL.COM
An Identity Theft Report is a police report with more
than the usual amount of detail. The Identity Theft
Report includes enough detail about the crime for the
credit reporting companies and the businesses
involved to verify that you are a victim—and to know
which accounts and inaccurate information came from
identity theft. Normal police reports often don’t have
many details about the accounts that were opened or
misused by identity thieves.

The printed copy of your ID Theft Complaint Form can
provide additional details for the police report. The
police are not legally required to use the FTC’s ID
Theft Complaint Form as part of their report. Your
police department may have another way to
incorporate the details of your crime. In these cases,
the police report by itself may serve as an Identity Theft
Report.

When you file your Identity Theft Report, the credit
reporting companies will permanently block fraudulent
information from appearing on your credit report. Filing
an Identity Theft Report with the credit reporting
companies or with the companies where the thief
used your information should ensure that these debts
do not reappear on your credit report.

An Identity Theft Report can prevent a company from
continuing to try to collect debts that result from identity
theft, or sell those debts to others for collection. It also
allows you to place an extended fraud alert on your
credit report. The credit reporting companies may
decline your Identity Theft Report if it does not contain
enough detail for them to verify that you are a victim of
identity theft. In that case, the credit reporting
companies have certain timeframes for responding to
your Identity Theft Report with requests for additional
information.

Creating and using an Identity Theft Report may
require two steps:

Step One begins with filing your report with a local,
state, or federal law enforcement agency. These
agencies may include your local police department,
your State Attorney General, the FBI, the U.S. Secret
Service, the FTC, or the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.
Some state laws require local police departments to
take reports, but there is no law requiring federal
agencies to take a report.

In your report, you should give as much information as
you can about the crime, including anything you know
about the dates of the identity theft, the fraudulent
accounts opened and the alleged identity thief.

It may help you give the necessary level of detail if you
file an online complaint with the FTC, and then ask
your local police department to incorporate a copy of
the printed ID Theft Complaint into its police report.

Step Two begins when you send the businesses
involved and the credit reporting companies a copy of
your Identity Theft Report, which you should do by
certified mail, return receipt requested. The
companies may ask you to give them more
information or documentation to help them verify your
identity theft.

They have to make their request within 15 days of
receiving your Identity Theft Report. The credit
reporting company or business then has 15 more
days to work with you to make sure your Identity Theft
Report contains everything they need.

They are also entitled to five days to review any
information you give them. For example, if you give
them information 11 days after they request it, they
have until day 16 to make a final decision.

How do I get an Identity Theft Report?

The officer taking your police report can attach or
incorporate your ID Theft Complaint into their police
report to add more detail. Ask the officer to give you a
copy of the official police report that incorporates or
attaches your ID Theft Complaint. In some places the
officer will not be able to give you a copy of the official
police report, but should be able to sign a copy of your
ID Theft Complaint and write the police report number
in the “Law Enforcement Report” section.

Be sure to keep a copy of the police report number
The police are not legally required to use the FTC’s ID
Theft Complaint Form as part of their report. Your
police department may have another way to include all
the details of your identity theft information in their
police report. In these cases, the police report by itself
may serve as an Identity Theft Report.

Because the detailed Identity Theft Report is required
for you to get many important protections, you may
wish to use the Law Enforcement Cover Letter to
explain to the police department how important it is for
you to get a police report – as well as the legal
protections that a detailed Identity Theft Report gives
you.

How do I submit my Identity Theft Report to the credit
reporting companies, or to businesses where the thief
used my information?
When you send a copy of your Identity Theft Report to
the fraud departments of the three major credit
reporting companies, include a copy of the credit
reporting company cover letter, along with copies of
your supporting documentation.

Send your information by certified mail with return
receipt requested. The mailing addresses for sending
Identity Theft Reports to the three major credit
reporting companies are on the cover letter.

When writing to the fraud departments of each of the
companies where the identity thief has committed
fraud using your personal information, include copies
of the Identity Theft Report, your supporting
documentation, and the appropriate cover letter: for
fraud on your existing accounts, or for fraud on new
accounts. Always send this information by certified
mail, with a return receipt requested.

The credit reporting companies have certain
timeframes for responding to your Identity Theft Report
with requests for additional information.


What do I do if the police only take reports about
identity theft over the Internet or telephone?

The FTC ID Theft Complaint has a special section for
police reports that are not filed face-to-face, to help you
use it to supplement an automated police report. If you
file a police report online or over the phone, complete
the “Automated Report Information” block of the ID
Theft Complaint. Attach a copy of any filing
confirmation received from the police.   

If you have a choice, however, you should file your
police report in person and not use an automated
report.  It is more difficult for the consumer reporting
company and information provider to verify the
information in an automated report, and they will likely
require additional information and/or documentation.

What do I do if the local police won't take a report?

There are efforts at the federal, state and local level to
ensure that local law enforcement agencies
understand identity theft, its impact on victims, and the
importance of taking a police report. However, we still
hear that some departments are not taking reports.
The following tips may help you to get a report if you're
having difficulties:

Provide the officer with a copy of the Law Enforcement
Cover Letter that explains why the police report and the
Identity Theft Report are so important to both victims
and industry.
Furnish as much documentation as you can to prove
your case.

Debt collection letters, credit reports, a copy of your
printed ID Theft Complaint, and other evidence of
fraudulent activity can help demonstrate the legitimacy
of your case.  Provide the police a copy of "Remedying
the Effects of Identity Theft," which shows that police
reports are necessary to secure your rights.

Be persistent if local authorities tell you that they can't
take a report. Stress the importance of a police report;
many creditors require one to resolve your dispute.

Remind them that consumer reporting companies will
automatically block the fraudulent accounts and bad
debts from appearing on your credit report, but only if
you can give them a copy of the police report. In
addition, a police report may be needed to obtain the
fraudulent application and other records the company
has.
If you're told that identity theft is not a crime under your
state law, ask to file a Miscellaneous Incident Report
instead.
If you can't get the local police to take a report, try your
county police. If that doesn't work, try your state police.
Some states require the police to take reports for
identity theft. Check with the office of your State
Attorney General, which can be found at www.naag.
org, to find out if your state has this law.


How do I prove that I'm an identity theft victim?

Applications or other transaction records related to the
theft of your identity may help you prove that you are a
victim. For example, you may be able to show that the
signature on an application is not yours.

These documents also may contain information about
the identity thief that is valuable to law enforcement.  
By law, companies must give you a copy of the
application or other business transaction records
relating to your identity theft if you submit your request
in writing, accompanied by a police report.  Read more
about getting information from businesses, and use
this model letter to request this information.


Should I apply for a new Social Security number?
KNOWLEDGEFINANCIAL.COM

Under certain circumstances, the Social Security
Administration may issue you a new Social Security
number - at your request - if, after trying to resolve the
problems brought on by identity theft, you continue to
experience problems.

Consider this option carefully. A new Social Security
number may not resolve your identity theft problems,
and may actually create new problems.
For example, a new Social Security number does not
necessarily ensure a new credit record because credit
bureaus may combine the credit records from your old
Social Security number with those from your new
Social Security number.

Even when the old credit information is not associated
with your new Social Security number, the absence of
any credit history under your new Social Security
number may make it more difficult for you to get credit.
And finally, there's no guarantee that a new Social
Security number wouldn't also be misused by an
identity thief
DEFEND YOURSELF AGAINST IDENTITY THEFT; LEARN THE IMPORTANT METHODS AND TECHNIQUES TO RECOVER FROM ID THEFT!
IDENTITY THEFT- Introduction  --- KNOWLEDGEFINANCIAL.COM
You apply for a credit card and are turned down because of a low credit score,
yet you know that you’ve always paid your accounts on time.

A debt collector calls to demand payment on a six-month overdue account for
a credit card you have never had.

You receive a credit card in the mail that you’ve never applied for.
What’s happening? You could be the victim of identity theft, where an imposter
is using your personal information to obtain credit.

Then when the thief does not pay the bills, the company itself or a debt
collection company contacts you to demand payment. As a result, your credit
report is likely to contain negative information about your bill-payment history,
and your credit score has probably been lowered considerably, making it
difficult or impossible to obtain new credit yourself.

This guide provides victims of identity theft with instructions on how to regain
your financial health and who to contact for more help. You must act quickly
and assertively to minimize the damage.  ---KNOWLEDGEFINANCIAL.COM

1. Notify credit bureaus and establish fraud alerts. Immediately report the
situation to the fraud department of the three credit reporting companies --
Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion.
When you notify one bureau that you are at risk of being a victim of identity
theft, it will notify the other two for you. Placing the fraud alert means that your
file will be flagged and that creditors are required to call you before extending
credit. Consider using a cell phone number if you have one.

We recommend that you do not choose to call Experian. You will be subject to a
marketing pitch for their "free" credit management tools. If you fail to cancel
the service within 30 days, your credit card will automatically be charged for
the service.

Equifax: P.O. Box 740250, Atlanta, GA 30374- 0241.
Report fraud: Call (888) 766-0008 and write to address above.
TDD: (800) 255-0056


Web: www.equifax.com Experian: PO Box 9532
Allen TX, 75013
Report fraud: Call (888) EXPERIAN (888-397-3742) and write to address above.
TDD: Use relay to fraud number above.
Web: www.experian.com/fraud


TransUnion: P.O. Box 6790, Fullerton, CA 92834-6790.
Report fraud: (800) 680-7289 and write to address above.
TDD: (877) 553-7803
E-mail (fraud victims only): fvad@transunion.com
Web: www.transunion.com
KNOWLEDGEFINANCIAL.COM
Under new provisions of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA, §605A) you can place
an initial fraud alert for only 90 days. The credit bureaus will each mail you a notice
of your rights as an identity theft victim. Once you receive them, contact each of the
three bureaus immediately to request two things:

•a free copy of your credit report
•an extension of the fraud alert to seven years
You may request that only the last four digits of your Social Security number (SSN)
appear on the credit report.

You must have evidence of attempts to open fraudulent accounts and an identity
theft report (police report) to establish the seven-year alert. You may cancel the
fraud alerts at any time.

In all communications with the credit bureaus, you will want to refer to the unique
number assigned to your credit report and use certified, return receipt mail. Be sure
to save all credit reports as part of your fraud documentation file.

Once you have received your three credit reports, examine each one carefully.
Report fraudulent accounts and erroneous information in writing to both the credit
bureaus and the credit issuers following the instructions provided with the credit
reports. The FTC’s identity theft guide provides a sample letter to send to the credit
bureaus requesting that fraudulent accounts be blocked. http://www.ftc.
gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/idtheft/idt04.pdf (scroll down to find letter)

Once you notify the credit bureaus about the fraudulent accounts, the bureau is
required to block that information from future reports. The bureau must also notify
the credit grantor of the fraudulent account. (FCRA, §605B) Ask the credit bureaus
for names and phone numbers of credit grantors with whom fraudulent accounts
have been opened if this information is not included on the credit report.

In addition, instruct the credit bureaus in writing to remove inquiries that have been
generated due to the fraudulent access. You may also ask the credit bureaus to
notify those who have received your credit report in the last six months to alert them
to the disputed and erroneous information (two years for employers). Under
California law, when you provide a copy of the police report to the credit bureaus,
they must remove the fraudulent accounts from your credit report. (California Civil
Code 1785.16(k))
KNOWLEDGEFINANCIAL.COM
1a. Monitor your credit reports. Be aware that these measures may not entirely prevent
new fraudulent accounts from being opened by the imposter.

Credit issuers do not always pay attention to fraud alerts, even though the law now
requires it. That is why we recommend that you check your credit reports again in a
few months.

The federal FACTA law enables you to receive a free credit report per year from each of
the three credit bureaus. (FCRA §612) This is over and above the free reports you can
order when you place fraud alerts on your three credit reports.

Once you have received your free credit reports as a part of the fraud-alert process,
follow up in a few months by taking advantage of your free FACTA copy. We
recommend that you order your free credit reports by phone rather than using the
online system. Call (877) 322-8228.

''ID-THEFT ADVICE From FTC Federal Trade Commission --

Here is only authorized source for the free credit report that's yours by law. The Fair
Credit Reporting Act guarantees you access to your credit report for free from each of
the three nationwide credit reporting companies.

2. Law enforcement. Report the crime to your local police or sheriff's department right
away. You might also need to report it to police department(s) where the crime
occurred if it's somewhere other than where you live.

Give them as much documented evidence as possible. Make sure the police report
lists the fraudulent accounts . Get a copy of the report, which is called an "identity theft
report" under the FCRA.
Keep the phone number of your investigator handy and give it to creditors and others
who require verification of your case. Credit card companies and banks may require
you to show the report in order to verify the crime.

FTC regulations define an "identity theft report" to include a report made to a local,
state, or federal law enforcement agency. If your local police department refuses to file
a report and your situation involves fraudulent use of the U.S. mail, you can obtain an
identity theft report from the U.S. Postal Inspector.

If your case involves fraudulent use of a driver's license in your name, you might be
able to obtain a report from your state's Department of Motor Vehicles. The FTC has
more information on identity theft reports at http://www.ftc.
gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft/consumers/defend.html--

3. Federal Trade Commission. Report the crime to the FTC. Include your police report
number. Although the FTC does not itself investigate identity theft cases, they share
such information with investigators nationwide who are fighting identity theft.

•Call the FTC's Identity Theft Hotline: (877) IDTHEFT (877-438-4338)
•Or use its online identity theft complaint form: https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/
•Or write: FTC Identity Theft Clearinghouse, 600 Pennsylvania Ave. N.W., Washington,
DC 20580.
•The FTC's uniform fraud affidavit form is available at http://www.ftc.
gov/bcp/edu/resources/forms/affidavit.pdf

•Visit the Web site for the President’s Identity Theft Task Force for Identity Theft
Victims’ Statement of Rights under federal law: www.idtheft.gov/
KNOWLEDGEFINANCIAL.COM
3. Federal Trade Commission. Report the crime to the FTC. Include your police report
number. Although the FTC does not itself investigate identity theft cases, they share
such information with investigators nationwide who are fighting identity theft.

•Call the FTC's Identity Theft Hotline: (877) IDTHEFT (877-438-4338)
•Or use its online identity theft complaint form: https://www.knowledgefinancia.
com/ftccomplaintassistant.
•Or write: FTC Identity Theft Clearinghouse, 600 Pennsylvania Ave. N.W., Washington,
DC 20580.

•Visit the Web site for the President’s Identity Theft Task Force for Identity Theft
Victims’ Statement of Rights under federal law: www.knowledgefinancial.
com/idtheft.

4. What to do with new credit accounts opened by the imposter. If your credit report
shows that the imposter has opened new accounts in your name, contact those
creditors immediately by telephone and in writing. Recent amendments to the FCRA
(§623(6)(B)) allow you to prevent businesses from reporting fraudulent accounts to
the credit bureaus. The FTC provides a sample dispute letter.

Creditors will likely ask you to fill out fraud affidavits. The FTC provides a uniform
affidavit form that most creditors accept, http://www.ftc.
gov/bcp/edu/resources/forms/affidavit.pdf.
No law requires affidavits to be notarized at your own expense. You may choose to
substitute witness signatures for notarization if creditors require verification of your
signature.

Ask the credit grantors in writing to furnish you and your investigating law
enforcement agency with copies of the documentation, such as the fraudulent
application and transaction records. Both federal and California law give you the
right to obtain these documents.

(FCRA § 609(e), and California Penal Code 530.8). The California Office of Privacy
Protection provides instructions and sample letters on how to obtain documentation
from credit grantors, www.privacy.ca.gov/cis3aenglish.htm

A victim of identity theft must provide a copy of the FTC affidavit or another affidavit
acceptable to the business, plus government-issued identification, and a copy of an
"identity theft report" (police report) in order to obtain the documents created by the
imposter.
The business must provide copies of these records to the victim within 30 days of
the victim's request at no charge. The law also allows the victim to authorize a law
enforcement investigator to get access to these records.

When you have resolved the fraudulent account with the creditor, ask for a letter
stating that the company has closed the disputed account and has discharged the
debts. Keep this letter in your files. You may need it if the account reappears on your
credit report.

You must also notify the credit bureaus about the fraudulent accounts. Instructions
are provided in Section 1 above.
KNOWLEDGEFINANCIAL.COM
5. Handling problems with your existing credit or debit accounts. If your existing credit or debit accounts
have been used fraudulently, report it in writing immediately to the credit card company.

Request replacement cards with new account numbers. In addition to phoning the credit card company
regarding the fraud, you will need to follow up in writing and will likely be asked to provide a fraud affidavit or
a dispute form.
Send the letter to the address given for "billing inquiries," not the address for sending payments. Carefully
monitor your mail and bills for evidence of new fraudulent activity. Report it immediately. Add secure
passwords to all accounts . These should not be your mother's maiden name or any word that is easily
guessed. --KNOWLEDGEFINANCIAL.COM

6. Debt collectors. If debt collectors try to get you to pay the unpaid bills on fraudulent accounts, ask for the
name of the collection company, the name of the person contacting you, phone number, and address. Tell
the collector that you are a victim of fraud and are not responsible for the account.

Ask for the name and contact information for the referring credit issuer, the amount of the debt, account
number, and dates of the charges. Ask if they need you to complete their fraud affidavit form or whether you
can use the FTC affidavit. Follow up by writing to the debt collector explaining your situation. Ask that they
confirm in writing that you do not owe the debt and that the account has been closed.

Under new provisions in the FCRA, a debt collector must notify the creditor that the debt may be a result of
identity theft. (§615(g)) The FCRA also prohibits the sale or transfer of a debt caused by identity theft.

7. Check and banking fraud. If you have had checks stolen or bank accounts set up fraudulently, ask your
bank to report it to ChexSystems, a consumer reporting agency that compiles reports on checking
accounts. Also, place a security alert on your file (see web address below).

Your bank should be able to provide you with a fraud affidavit. Put "stop payments" on any outstanding
checks that you are unsure about. Close your checking account and other affected accounts and obtain new
account numbers. Give the bank a password for your account (not mother's maiden name, Social Security
number, date of birth, pet's name, sequential numbers, or any other easily guessed words).

•Phone: (800) 428-9623. Fax: (602) 659-2197
•Web: https://www.consumerdebit.com/consumerinfo/us/en/index.htm

•To place a security alert on your ChexSystems report: https://www.consumerdebit.
com/consumerinfo/us/en/chexsystems/theftaffidavit/index.htm

Write: ChexSystems Inc., Attn: Consumer Relations, 7805 Hudson Rd., Suite 100, Woodbury, MN 55125.
If your own checks are rejected at stores where you shop, contact the check verification company that the
merchant uses. The major ones are listed here.

Certegy (800) 237-4851 www.knowledgefinancial.com-askcertegy  --KNOWLEDGEFINANCIAL.COM
SCAN (800) 262-7771 www.knowledgefinancial.com-consumerdebitco
TeleCheck
For annual file disclosure
Fraud, id theft department

(800) 366-2425
(800) 835-3243
(800) 710-9898 www.knowledgefinancial.com-telecheck
CrossCheck (800) 843-0760 www.knowledgefinancial.com-cross-check

Under a new federal law, you now have a right to obtain any reports that these companies compile about
you. For ChexSystems and any of the check verification companies listed here that you have had to contact
as a result of your identity theft situation, we recommend that you request a copy of your file once a year.
Make sure your file has been corrected. KNOWLEDGEFINANCIAL.COM


If not, you will find it difficult to open new bank accounts and/or write checks. Visit the web sites listed above
to learn how to order your free annual reports.
KNOWLEDGEFINANCIAL.COM
8. ATM cards. If your ATM or debit card has been stolen or
compromised , report it immediately. Contact your bank and fill
out a fraud affidavit. Get a new card, account number, and
password. Do not use your old password. Closely monitor your
account statements.

You may be liable if the fraud is not reported quickly. Start with a
phone call and immediately follow up in writing. Be sure to read
the debit card contract for information about liability. Some cards
are better protected in cases of fraud than others.

ATM and debit card transactions are subject to the Electronic
Fund Transfer Act. (15 USC §1693) Even if you are a victim of
identity theft, your liability for charges can increase the longer the
crime goes unreported. For more on EFTA, see the FTC's guide,
www.Knowledgefinancial.
com/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/credit/cre04. Also read its guide on
electronic banking, www.knowledgefinancial.
com/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/credit/cre14.shtm

9. Brokerage accounts. You do not have the same protections
against loss with brokerage accounts as you do with credit and
debit card or bank accounts. The Securities Investor Protection
Corporation
( www.knowledgefinancial.com-sipc ) restores customer funds
only when a brokerage firm fails.

If an identity thief or other fraudster targets your brokerage
account, refer to your account agreement for information on what
to do. Immediately report the incident to the brokerage company
and notify the Securities and Exchange Commission, www.
knowledgefinancial.com-sec Also notify the Financial Industry
Regulatory Association, formerly NASD, www.knowledgefinancial.
com-finra.

To protect against fraud, put a password on each of your
investment accounts. For more on identity theft involving
brokerage accounts, how it can happen, and what to do.

10. Fraud involving U.S. mail. Notify the local Postal Inspector if
you suspect an unauthorized change of your address with the
post office or if the U.S mail has been used to commit fraud. Find
out where fraudulent credit cards were sent. Notify the local
Postmaster to forward all mail in your name to your own address.
You may also need to talk with the mail carrier.

Call the U.S. Postal Service to find the nearest Postal Inspector at
(800) 275-8777 or visit its web site at http:knowledgefinancial.
com//postalinspectors.uspis/.

The online complaint form is available at https:knowledgefinancial.
com-//postalinspectors.uspis.
gov/forms/MailFraudComplaint.aspx. Or you can mail your
complaint to: U.S. Postal Service, Criminal Investigations Service
Center, Attn: Mail Fraud, 222 S. Riverside Plaza Suite 1250,
Chicago, IL 60606-6100.

11. Secret Service. The U.S. Secret Service has jurisdiction over
financial fraud. But, based on U.S. Attorney guidelines, it usually
does not investigate individual cases unless the dollar amount is
high or you are one of many victims of a fraud ring.
To interest the Secret Service in your case, you may want to ask
the fraud department of the credit card companies and/or banks,
as well as the police investigator, to notify the Secret Service
agent they work with http://www.knowledgefinancial.com-
secretservice/criminal.shtml.

12. Social Security number (SSN) misuse. The Social Security
Administration (SSA) does not in most cases provide assistance
to identity theft victims. But be sure to contact the SSA Inspector
General to report Social Security benefit fraud, employment fraud,
or welfare fraud.

•Social Security Administration online complaint form: www.
knowledgefinancial.com-socialsecurity/oig
•SSA fraud hotline: (800) 269-0271
•By mail: SSA Fraud Hotline, P.O. Box 17768, Baltimore, MD 21235

As a last resort, you might try to change your number, although
we don't recommend it except for very serious cases .
The SSA will only change the number if you fit their fraud victim
criteria. See the Identity Theft Resource Center's Fact Sheet 113
for more information, http://www.knowledgefinancial.com-
idtheftcenter.
/artman2/publish/v_fact_sheets/Fact_Sheet_113_Social_Security
_Number.shtml

If your SSN card has been stolen or lost, order a replacement.
Complete the SSA's application available at www.socialsecurity.
gov/online/ss-5.html or by calling the SSA at (800) 772-1213, or by
visiting your local SSA office. You will need to provide the required
documentation such as birth certificate and government ID at
your local SSA office to get a replacement card.

12a. SSN misuse and the IRS. Your SSN can be used fraudulently
for tax purposes. For example, an identity thief might use your
SSN to file a tax return with the IRS in order to receive a refund. If
the tax return is filed before yours, the thief will likely receive the
refund.

If your SSN has been stolen, it may be used by an imposter to get
a job. That person’s employer would report income earned to the
IRS using your SSN, making it appear that you did not report all of
your income on your tax return.

The IRS has established the IRS Identity Protection Specialized
Unit to assist individuals with such problems. It can be reached at
(800) 908-4490. For more information, visit www.irs.
gov/privacy/article/0,,id=186436,00.html.

13. Passports. Whether you have a passport or not, write to the
passport office to alert them to anyone ordering a passport
fraudulently.

•U.S. Dept. of State, Passport Services, Consular Lost/Stolen
Passport Section, 1111 19th St., NW, Suite 500, Washington, DC
20036.
•Website: http://travel.state.gov/passport/lost/lost_848.html
•Phone:  (877) 487-2778
KNOWLEDGEFINANCIAL.COM
Order your free credit report
Whether or not you are a victim of identity theft, take advantage of
your free annual credit reports, now a requirement of federal law.

•Phone: (877) 322-8228
•Web: www.knowledgefinancial.com-annualcredit report
•FTC's guide: http://www.knowledgefinancial.com-
ftc/bcp/edu/microsites/freereports/index.shtml
Opt out of pre-approved offers of credit for all three credit bureaus

•Phone the FTC’s Do Not Call Registry: (888) 382-1222
•Online registration: www.knowledgefinancial.com-donotcall
Order your earnings report from the Social Security
Administration

•Order your Personal Earnings and Benefits Estimate Statement if
you suspect an identity thief has used your SSN for employment:
(800) 772-1213. The SSA automatically mails it to individuals three
months before the birthday each year. www.knowledgefinancial.
com-ssa/online/ssa-7004.html
•For information on reporting fraud to the SSA, read tip 12 above.
Help for Financial Hardships
If you encounter a financial hardship, government and private
organizations are available to help you get through tough times.

Cash Assistance
The government program Temporary Assistance for Needy
Families (TANF) is designed to provide cash assistance to help
promote self-sufficiency.
Through the TANF program, recipients are required to complete a
minimum work requirement and seek employment.  TANF is a
federal program with standard guidelines, each state administers
its own program with specific income restrictions.


Housing Assistance
The U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
offers a variety of programs for people with low-income or in
danger of becoming homeless.

The Section 8 Voucher program allows you to receive reoccurring
assistance towards your monthly rent. HUD's Emergency
Homeowners' Loan Program (EHLP) will cover up to 24 months of
mortgage payments for homeowners who are unemployed or
endure a hardship. EHLP funds are interest-free and forgiven
after five years of timely mortgage payments.


Utility Assistance
The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
provides utility assistance to households who meet the income
criteria in 50 states.
In most states, the income is limited to 60 percent of the state
median income based on the number of people living in the home.
If approved for the program, the LIHEAP will provide a one-time
payment to the utility company on your behalf.


Food Assistance
If you need help with purchasing food, the Supplemental Nutrition
Assistance Program (SNAP) can help with the burden. According
to the United States Department of Agriculture,  Low-income
families and individuals can apply for the program by contacting
their local Department of Human Services.
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