Identity Theft Battles
Millions of people fight identity theft. During the year 2004, more than eleven million people were targeted for identity theft and instantly had to begin battling for their life back once they found that their identity was stolen. Some victims do not find out right away that their identity is stolen, thus the thief goes for days or weeks stealing from the victim, before evidence crops up leading to the crime.
Criminals have stolen identities to commit additional crimes, to cover crimes and so forth. Few steal identities, bleed the victim dry and files bankruptcy in the victims name just to make a statement. In other words, the criminal gets kicks out of causing others harm. The criminal may open accounts in the victims name, apply for jobs or credit cards, or else use up the victims credit cards until the max is reached.
Thus, if you suspect you are a victim of identity theft it is important to report the crime right away. First, you must report the crime to the authorities and then move onto the Federal Trade Commission Identity Theft Clearinghouse. The identity theft clearinghouse will spread the word to creditors, credit bureaus, law enforcement, attorneys, consumer companies and other sources informing them that you are a victim. Thus, you will need to request copies of your credit reports and report the act of crime to TransUnion, Equifax, and Experian right away. Once you report the crime be sure that the credit bureaus put up a Fraud Alert or Freeze on your account. Depends on the state you live in, but few states provide the freeze option, which is much better choice than fraud alerts. The fraud alerts only instigate assumptions on the creditors' part, while the freeze will prevent the thief and others from gaining access to your accounts.
Next, you will need to contact the Department of Motor Vehicle and Social Security Administration to alert them that you identity was stolen. Thus, contact each source by phone and letter and make copies of your written letters storing them in a safe place. Drum up a plan backed with strategies before you start writing letters, since professionalism is necessary to get results. One of the biggest mistakes people make is panicking when a crime is committed against them, thus acting out on emotions will only because more harm than good.
Make sure that you understand all details provided to you when reporting identity theft. As a victim myself, I can tell you first hand that the list of questions will be next to nil. Thus, enforce your crime to the proper the authorities with assertiveness to let them know that you are not playing and that you are a victim of a crime and you want results. In my case the law asked me a couple of questions, gave me a report number with the police officers card and nothing else came of it. I had contacted other sources, however at this time I had little knowledge of what to do, thus it was later when I began contacted other sources. Thus, learn now so that you do not fall into my steps, since it has been seven long years and I am still fighting to gain back my life. The perpetrator attempted to open accounts in my name, drained my banking account, used my debit cards, hooked a phone up in my name and I still do not know the entirety of harm the perpetrator caused.
When your identity is stolen, it is difficult to get credit, rent, much less buy a home, or else get a credit card in your name. Once you become a victim of identity theft, you will live a victim throughout your lifetime in most instances. In one account where my identity was stolen, the perpetrators were caught almost right away, since other crimes were also committed, including grand theft auto. The second time the perpetrator was never caught and to date no one has informed me of the status of the crime.
While this is one story of identity theft, millions of stories exist and are increasing everyday.
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