| The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has in | | | | maintained by them will have a 'fraud alert'. |
| its latest report given some mind-boggling | | | | Therefore a person will not be able to take credit |
| statistics. According to these statistics, the | | | | by using your name. Maintain documentation of all |
| Commission has received more than 255,000 | | | | letters, reports, enquiries that you have made |
| complaints about identity theft, which is an | | | | regarding the identity theft. This will help you to |
| increase from 2004. In 2004 they had received | | | | get justice faster. In fact one can easily get |
| 247,000 complaints. Essentially identity theft is | | | | reimbursed for all the effort and time spent on |
| when a person steals the credit / debit card | | | | the case. It's also important to contact and write |
| numbers or the passwords to your financial | | | | letters to companies where you think the identity |
| accounts in order to steal money from you. In | | | | theft would have taken place against you. See f |
| some cases a person might not even be aware | | | | your accounts have been changed in an |
| of the identity theft. Its important to note that | | | | un-authorized way. Changes can include change of |
| even email scams are increasing as are Internet | | | | name, address, passwords, specific standing |
| scams especially those regarding wire transfers. | | | | instructions etc. You can also contact the Federal |
| According to statistic emails are responsible for | | | | Trade Commission (FTC) by phone at their Toll |
| 35% of all identity theft cases. If you think, that | | | | free no 1-877-ID-THEFT Or by mail at Identity |
| you have been a victim to an identity theft, you | | | | Theft Clearinghouse Federal Trade Commission |
| should follow certain steps to keep your losses to | | | | 600 Pennsylvania Ave, NW Washington DC 20580 |
| the minimum. File a report about your identity | | | | Or contact them online at Online ID Theft |
| theft with your local police station. Get a copy of | | | | Compliant Form or can go to the FTC website |
| this report and send it to credit card companies, | | | | Thus by following these steps, the victims can |
| banks or institutions, where you suspect that | | | | bring the perpetrator to book. Especially with the |
| your identity was stolen. This report is essential, | | | | help of FTC, issues regarding financial matters and |
| as you would have a proof of a crime been | | | | other problems from identity theft can be |
| committed against you. You should also contact | | | | resolved. |
| the credit bureaus and get copies of the credit | | | | For More Information About Identity Theft Click |
| reports. These are easily available. If you see any | | | | Here |
| new accounts which have been opened or credit | | | | Copyright © 2006 - 2006, Peter De Lio, all |
| been taken against your name, without your | | | | rights reserved. This Article may be reproduced in |
| approval or knowledge, then you can be sure that | | | | whole only. No part of this article may be |
| you are a victim of identity theft. Contact the | | | | reproduced without the entire article contents and |
| fraud departments of the three major credit | | | | all credits and links in place. |
| bureaus in the US. In this way the credit reports | | | | |