10 Steps to Take if You Are a Victim of Identity Theft

There have been an estimated 9.9 million victims on America and over 40% of all consumer complaints in the U.S. involve identity theft. About half of the victims do not know how the thief obtained their personal information. The Boston Globe and Newsweek have both covered Identity theft this month telling us how important it is for us to educate ourselves on preventing and protecting ourselves from this type of robbery. Identity theft can happen anytime, anywhere and to anyone, individuals or businesses. Everyone must be educated and aware so it can be avoided. Michael Blanchard, US Postal Inspector says postal money orders and business or certified checks are one way you can be at risk. Most identity theft involves the U.S. Mail which is why the U.S. Postal Inspection Service is a lead agency in investigating Identity Theft. Identity Theft is a criminal offense.

What can I do if I am already a victim of ID theft?

? Contact the fraud departments of the three major credit bureaus, to place a fraud alert on your credit file.

? Close all accounts that have been affected and request copies of fraud-dispute forms and complete and return immediately. Keep copies!

? File a police report in each jurisdiction the theft occurred

? Send copies of the report to your creditors or anyone that requires proof of the crime

? File a complaint with the FTC (800-IDTHEFT or www.consumer.gov/idtheft) and Post Office

? Contact the Identity Theft Resource center at 858-693-7935 or www.idtheftcenter.org

? Request a new driver's license from the state of motor vehicles and have a fraud report attached to your driving record.

? Notify check-verification firms about any fraudulent checks:

International check service 800-526-5380
Telecheck 800-927-0755
Certegy Check Services 800-437-5120

? Call 1-888-CALL-FCC and file a complaint.

? Change your passwords and PIN immediately.

Michelle Dunn has over 17 years experience in credit and debt collection. She is the founder of Never Dunn Publishing, LLC, is a writer, consultant and the Editorial Advisor for Eli Financial Debt Collection Compliance Alert Newsletter. Michelle started M.A.D. Collection Agency and ran is successfully for 7 years. She owns and runs Credit & Collections.com a free online community for credit and business professionals.

She has written 5 books in her Collecting Money Series and is currently writing a book for the Streetwise Series, part of the Adams Media Corporation. For more information on Michelle's services or to order any of her books please email her at michelle@michelledunn.com or visit http://www.michelledunn.com & http://www.credit-and-collections.com

---

How Check 21 Affects You

The Check 21 Law is the new federal law for... Read More

Why Live Frugally

What is it about being frugal, why do it at... Read More

What Are We Teaching our 2005 Graduates about Money?

Now that we are in the month of June I... Read More

Improving Your Financial Position

If you want money you need to learn how to... Read More

Your Dry Cleaner?s Double Standard

Women are charged more for dry cleaning services. Don't fume,... Read More

If All Things Are Possible, Why Cant I Balance My Checkbook?

For me, the most terrible time of each month is... Read More

Saving Dimes Can Go a Long Way

On the other hand, there are those people who are... Read More

How To Get Ahead On A Low Income

Do you struggle from week to week trying to make... Read More

Save Money on Gas

Gas prices have soared to unimaginable heights of late. Since... Read More

Car Donations and Used Car Donations

Car donations and used car donations are the way many... Read More

Budgeting the Key to being Financially Stable

Single Mother's in need of Financial GuidanceBudgeting is key to... Read More

Want Your Savings to Earn a Higher Rate of Return? Try Internet Banking

Doesn't it seem like the only impressive numbers we've seen... Read More

Accessing Funds You Never Knew You Had- Household Utilities and Mortgage Expense Reduction Plan

For most of us the process of getting out of... Read More

Are You Ready To Be Fired?

Your boss has just informed you that your department is... Read More

Should You Borrow From Your 401(k) Account?

If you have a 401(k) account, it can be very... Read More

Strategies for Success

Holy Shenanigans! More STUFF?Loosing one's business due to lack of... Read More

Personal Finance - Have Consumers Had a Belly Full of Personal Debt?

For months, we were trigger-swipe happy, putting our groceries, clothes,... Read More

How to Save Money in a Grocery Store

Now there are ways to save money in the grocery... Read More

7 Simple Ways To Save Money

Each of us knows how to spend money, but do... Read More

Avoiding A Nightmare On Renovation Street

You've decided you want a bigger, better and more desirable... Read More

Expenses A ? What Are They And What Can We Do About Them

It is crucial as an individual who is striving for... Read More

Portfolio Planning can Lead to Irreconcilable Differences

The judge had to ask the question, and we had... Read More

Honor Those Who Serve with Checking Account Supplies

Our global society has had a wake up call in... Read More

Personal Finance ? Why You Should Compare, not Despair

Sorting out your personal finances can be a tricky and... Read More

How To Survive The Grocery Shopping Blues

If you are the normal consumer, then you've probably experienced... Read More

Dramatically Improve Your Stock Trading Success

Get Access to Realistic profitable strategies & discover the mindset... Read More

Take Control and Master Your Kitchen

Those who keep a watchful eye on where their money... Read More

Vacations Made Easy: Buying a Florida Investment Property

Vacations Made Easy: Buying a Florida Investment PropertyA relaxing beach... Read More

How Electronic Checks Work ? Will Paper Checks Eventually Go Away?

Traditional checks probably won't disappear anytime soon, but processing checks... Read More

How to Draw a Personal Budget that Works

Many people spend their little income haphazardly without any planning... Read More

Succession Planning

Have you ever thought about what you are going to... Read More

How to Choose the Right Bank for Your Online Business

You should thoroughly consider your business needs when selecting a... Read More

Retirement Income Needs---Less Than You Think?

It is widely written that you need 75% of your... Read More