ID Theft: Reporting ID Theft

ID Theft is one of the leading crimes around the globe that is claiming the lives of millions each year.

Every day a new victim finds them self fighting for their life back, while the law is moving slowly to minimize the problems.

Credit bureaus are putting up Fraud Alerts and FREEZES on victims' accounts, yet the Fraud Alerts are doing nothing more than causing the victim additional problems.

In the year 2005, researchers claimed that trillions of dollars would be paid out due to crimes of Identity Theft.

Statistics showed that more than eleven million individuals' became victim of identity theft during the year 2004.

It is time to fight back, by learning the steps, how to prevent, and who is commits the crimes, and who can fall into the hands of a criminal.

Anyone that fall victim of identity theft should immediately report the crime.

Victims should keep notes on all their activities, and store the notes in a safe environment.

The victim should also keep all receipts of purchases and monitor their statements and credit reports regularly.

At the first sign of identity theft, the case should be reported to the authorities and any police reports should be kept by you and the police.

Better yet, I learned a strategy that helps both you and the police when a crime is committed against you.

When you become a victim of a crime type up your own report and provide any details available to you keep a copy and provide the police a copy.

Thus, the police cannot write down their own version of the crime, or leave out important details.

Instead of storing your notes, reports, receipts, statements, copies of credit reports and so forth on your computer, store the documents on storage mediums and keep a second set of copies in a storage file.

During the length of time you notice any unauthorized activities take notes and place dates and times on the notes, and report them immediately, following the same steps to reporting identity theft.

* Steps to reporting identity theft:

* Step one: report the crime to the authorities right away.

* Step two: report the crime to the FTC (Federal Trade Commission).

* Step three: report the crime to TransUnion, Equifax, and Experian and alert the bureaus that your identity was stolen. Provide the bureaus copies of your police reports and dispute any unauthorized charges.

* Step four: Close all accounts immediately and alert the sources that your identity was stolen. Thus, close bank accounts, credit card accounts, and so forth.

* Step five: report to the Social Security Administration and Secretary of State (Department of Motor Vehicle) that your identity was stolen.

* Step six: hire a specialist for handwriting if you are taking to court.

* Step seven: report the crime to your utility and phone providers that your identity was stolen.

* Step eight: continue to monitor your personal information and report any new findings immediately.

* Step nine: change new PIN numbers and Passwords randomly.

* Step ten: never give out your information to anyone over the Internet or phone lines, or at drive-thru areas.

* Step 11: Dispute any charges against you on your credit reports that are unauthorized.

* Step twelve: learn more about identity theft, including updates and fighting identity theft.

* Step thirteen: petition your governor and state representatives to stop identity theft.

As citizens, we have the right to protect and petition our governors and state representatives to challenge new laws.