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Identity theft is a growing problem in our nation and the bigger problem is there isn’t a lot of help for the victims. I have experienced identity theft first hand and can tell you it is one of the hardest things in the world to fight. Proving you are “you” can be very difficult.

Identity Theft Prevention

There is a way to prevent identity theft and stop it in its tracks. Check your credit report frequently. Every year you are entitled to one free credit report, take advantage of it! Go to Annual Credit Report and you can pick from the three major credit bureaus. Remember that all three bureaus do not report the same. For example Equifax may report you have two accounts and Trans Union may report you have three.

If you are a Victim of Identity Theft

Now on to what to do if you realize you have been a victim of identity theft.

• First contact the credit bureau and have them issue a fraud alert on your account.

• Ask them to add your phone number so that if someone attempts to get credit in your name they can verify it’s you.

• Then you must pull your credit report from all three credit agencies and file a police report in all the cities where your identity was used. Make sure you contact each of the companies and explain that the items don’t belong to you and that you have taken the necessary steps to report these items.

• File a report with the Federal Trade Commission. You will be able to dispute the items that don’t belong to you. It will take 30 days before you know if these items have been removed.

Most times they will ask for a copy of the police report. The only problem with that is while it’s an open investigation the police will not furnish you a copy of the report.  However, they will give you the case number which will help in some cases.

Check your credit report frequently to see if anything new has been added and to check what has been removed.  Please note this information in no way a promise to fix your credit. I have unfortunately been through this and would like to help anyone in my situation because nobody was able to help me.