| A couple of weeks ago, a friend of mine mentioned | | | | organizations requires constant follow up. Make sure |
| that one of his co-workers recently recovered his | | | | you keep a record of who you talk to along with the |
| stolen identity. I asked how long the process took. | | | | date, time and action taken. Many victims received |
| "Only two years" he replied. Compared to the six | | | | assurances from the various bureaus and agencies |
| year nightmare suffered by one of my business | | | | that the matter would be resolved only to find the |
| associates, "only" maybe appropriate. However like | | | | identity theft remained and that were still liable. If |
| most victims of identity theft, my friend's co-worker | | | | you do this yourself, be diligent. Constant follow up all |
| probably thought in terms of "when". As in, "When | | | | the way to the end. |
| will I get my life back?" | | | | This also requires knowing your rights. According to |
| Privacy Rights Clearinghouse, a non profit consumer | | | | the Fair Credit Reporting Act of 1992, you must be |
| organization, reported that identity theft victims | | | | told not only what's in your file but if that information |
| spend on average 175 hours trying to recover their | | | | is being used against you. The Federal Trade |
| identity, often over a period of years. Factor in out | | | | Commission recently expanded the rights available to |
| of pocket expenses which usually total, usually over | | | | victims of identity theft including your right to get |
| $1,500 according to the Federal Trade Commission | | | | negative information due to fraud blocked from your |
| and recovery gets painfully magnified. | | | | records. |
| What are the steps to identity restoration? It starts | | | | Stay Away from "credit repair "companies". No |
| with obtaining a police report. You're going to need it | | | | matter what they advertise, there's usually nothing |
| for contacting the many and I mean many different | | | | they can do to help you with identity theft. Some of |
| agencies and organizations, including the Social | | | | them even offer to help youapply for credit under a |
| Security Administration, The Federal Trade | | | | new identity. Hello? When trying to eliminate fraud |
| Commission, all of your financial institutions, the 3 | | | | from your record you don't want to create more |
| major credit bureaus, the Passport Office, The | | | | fraud! |
| Department of Motor Vehicles, the Post Office, and | | | | Advise the utility companies. Many identity thieves |
| other law enforcement agencies as well as the | | | | open telephone accounts, purchase cable television or |
| Medical Information Bureau, since identity thieves | | | | establish credit with the gas & electric |
| now target hospitals and doctor's offices. All of these | | | | companies. It's not just bank accounts and credit |
| places must be sent a fraud notification alert. | | | | cards. |
| It is vital that you contact other law enforcement | | | | If necessary get counseling. Identity theft can be a |
| agencies. The databases of local and federal | | | | shattering experience not just economically but |
| authorities must be searched to ensure no criminal | | | | emotionally. Many victims feel ashamed and humiliated. |
| activity exists on your identity. | | | | It's not their fault of course but the feelings remain. |
| Concerning your financial institutions, get them to | | | | A network of support groups and counselors exists if |
| cancel your credit cards and close your bank | | | | you need it. |
| accounts. Find out from your bank about any | | | | The road back from identity theft can take time, |
| suspicious activity, such as accounts tampered with | | | | money, and cause much stress and pain . But with |
| or opened fraudulently. Reopen new bank accounts | | | | follow up, support and belief that the nightmare will |
| with password verification. | | | | end...the nightmare WILL end. |
| When contacting the credit bureaus make sure your | | | | Don't go it alone. Get free information concerning |
| credit report reflects the identity theft and gets | | | | identity theft protection, 24/7 monitoring and fast |
| flagged with a fraud alert. Dealing with all these | | | | restoration. |