If you ever have your identity stolen or notice a fraudulent charge on your bank account, acting quickly is important. A fraud report makes it more difficult for an identity thief to continue to wreak havoc on your information. If you aren’t sure how to create one, here are the steps you need to take.
Contact Credit Reporting Companies
There are three different companies -- TransUnion, Experian, and Equifax -- that monitor credit reports for everyone in the United States. If your identity is stolen, you need to contact all of these companies and inform them that you’ve been a victim of fraud and identity theft. Ask these companies to put a fraud alert on your credit file.
While you can request that the first company contacts the other two, the best method is to do it yourself. By calling yourself, you ensure that the fraud alert is placed on your account with all three credit reporting companies. Placing a fraud alert is free of charge and will remain on your credit report for 90 days.
During your contact with these companies, you need to confirm that your information is correct. By doing this, you ensure that any time more information surfaces, the companies can contact you within a timely manner.
Follow Up
After calling, mark on your calendar when you made the report. The report will last for 90 days. If there hasn’t been any improvement during this time, you can renew it after 90 days. Be sure to keep your case number handy when you call back.
Record any dates that are given to you and any letters that you receive in the mail. If the credit reporting companies require you to send information, make copies of the information and send them the copies unless the originals are explicitly required.
Filing Online
You can also file a fraud alert on your credit online. This method cuts down the amount of time you spend on the phone and is much easier for some people. To do this, go to the website of Experian, Equifax, or TransUnion. From there, you can place the fraud alert by filling out a form.
The form requires basic information about yourself such as first and last name, address, social security number, and birthday. If you haven’t lived at your current address for more than two years, you must also provide your two previous addresses.
After inputting all you know, agree to the terms and conditions. Before pressing submit, double check that all of the information is correct. Once you’re sure, press “Submit.” When the process is complete, it is important to call Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion to check on your case.
