the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, the Ridgewood Police reported several incidents or identity theft last week , on October 29, 2015, a Bogert Avenue resident reported fraudulent charges had been made on his/her credit card. It is extremely important that if you become the victim of identity theft, you make proper notifications to help prevent further victimization, starting with a report to your local police department. Information is available at the police desk concerning reporting and prevention of identity theft incidents.
On Tuesday, November 3, 2015, a South Van Dien resident reported that he/she had received a letter from the United States Social Security Administration advising him/her that someone had changed his/her direct deposit account information with that agency. Fortunately, the fraudulent account change was discovered before the victim’s social security account could be compromised.
Once again, be aware that information is available at the police desk concerning reporting and prevention of identity theft incidents.
What to do if you think you have been subject to identity fraud (https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/identity-theft-stolen-checklist-29691.html )
1. Start a log. As you make phone calls or send letters, keep notes of your conversations and correspondence with authorities and financial institutions, including dates, names, and phone numbers. Also keep track of all time spent and expenses you incur; you can deduct theft-related expenses on your income tax return, assuming you itemize deductions, and you may be able to seek compensation if you are ever able to sue the thief. (https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/identity-theft-stolen-checklist-29691.html )
2. Contact the credit bureaus. Call or visit the websites of the three major credit bureaus and ask that they issue a fraud alert and attach a statement to your credit report.
Equifax: 800-525-6285 or www.equifax.com
Experian: 888-397-3742 or www.experian.com
TransUnion: 800-680-7289 or www.transunion.com
Also, get copies of your credit report from each of the credit bureaus. Look for all possible signs of trouble: accounts you didnt open, inquiries you didnt initiate, and defaults and delinquencies you didn’t cause. Also check your identifying information carefully.
3. Review your credit reports. After you receive your credit reports from the three credit bureaus, review them thoroughly. Make sure that all your personal information, including name, address, and Social Security number, is correct and that there are no fraudulent accounts or inquiries. Look for accounts that you didn’t apply for or open, inquiries that you didn’t initiate, and defaults and delinquencies that you didn’t cause. Immediately report any suspicious information or activity to the credit bureau that issued the credit report.
4. Call the Ridgewood police. File a report of the crime with your local police department. Provide as much evidence as you can, and ask the officer to list all fraudulently accessed accounts that you know about on the police report. Be sure to get copies of the police report, because creditors will probably ask to see them. Remember to log the phone numbers and names of all the law enforcement agents that you speak to; creditors may want this information.
5. Fill out an Identity Theft Victim’s Complaint and Affidavit. The form is available from the Federal Trade Commission atwww.ftc.gov/idtheft. Creditors may accept this affidavit when you claim that you are not responsible for a new account or for transactions on an existing account. The information that you provide will enable the creditor to investigate your claim. (The creditor may require you to submit additional information or a different form.) This affidavit also will be useful if you request copies of the thief’s application and transaction records . Follow the instructions that accompany the form. (https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/identity-theft-stolen-checklist-29691.html )
