6 Ways to Clear Your Name
It can take months to repair the work of an identity thief. Here's where to start:
- File a report with your local police department.
- File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission at 877-382-4357.
- Get reports from the major credit bureaus, Equifax (888-766-0008), Experian (888-397-3742) and TransUnion (800-680-7289), and request a fraud alert on your credit file. If you find accounts that don't belong to you contact the creditor directly. Also contact all creditors who have made non-promotional inquiries into your credit file. Send all letters certified mail, return receipt requested.
- Contact the fraud departments at the banks, credit card companies, and investment firms that you have accounts with. Ask them to require a PIN or password for all transactions or changes to your accounts. Do not use your mother's maiden name or the last 4 numbers of your social security number as your passwords. You are entitled to a free copy of your credit report from each credit bureau once a year.
- Get additional help on how to clear your name from the Privacy Rights Clearinghouse and Identity Theft Resource Center
- Click here for additional resources from the Consumer Affairs Dept www.consumeraffairs.com/privacy/index.html