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Our Articles
 How to Report Identity Theft
Identity theft is the fastest-growing financial crime in the United States. Criminals use your personal and financial information, such as your social security number or credit card numbers, to apply for new credit cards or secure bank loans. In 2002, there were 161,800 complaints of identity fraud filed with the Federal Trade Commission.
As of April 2002, credit-reporting agencies and regulators have streamlined the procedures for reporting identity theft, which require notification to only one credit-reporting agency. If you are a victim of identity theft these are the recommended procedures to follow:
- Call one of the following credit reporting agencies:
Equifax at 888-766-0008
Experian at 888-397-3742
TransUnion at 800-680-2289
These credit-reporting agencies will send copies of your credit report within one week. Review these reports carefully for incorrect or fraudulent items.
- File a report with your local police department.
- Call the Federal Trade Commission’s Identity Theft Hotline at 877-438-4338.
- Notify creditors of phony accounts, using an ID Theft Affidavit available at the Federal Trade Commission’s Identity Theft Web site: www.ftc.gov/IDTheft
- Continue to monitor your credit report regularly for new fraudulent items or the re-appearance of old bogus items.
By following these steps you can start the process of repairing the damage caused by the crime of identity theft.
Matt Strilbyckij, MBA, CPA, CFE
Principal
Konowitz, Kahn, & Company, P.C.
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