Free credit report score St. Louis

Handling problems with your existing credit or debit accounts. If your existing credit or debit accounts have been used fraudulently, report it in writing immediately to the credit card company. Request replacement cards with new account numbers. In addition to phoning the credit card company regarding the fraud, you will need to follow up in writing and will likely be asked to provide a fraud affidavit or a dispute form. Send the letter to the address given for "billing inquiries," not the address for sending payments.

Carefully monitor your mail and bills for evidence of new fraudulent activity.

These should not be your mother's maiden name or any word that is easily guessed. Debt collectors. If debt collectors try to get you to free credit report score St. Louis pay the unpaid bills on fraudulent accounts, ask for the name of the collection company, the name of the person contacting you, phone number, and address. Tell the collector that you are a victim of fraud and are not responsible for the account. Ask for the name and contact information free credit report score St. Louis for the referring credit issuer, the amount of the debt, account number, and dates of the charges. Ask if they need you to complete their fraud affidavit form or whether you can use the FTC free credit report score St. Louis affidavit.

Follow up by writing to the free credit report score St. credit information Louis debt collector explaining your situation. Ask that they confirm in writing that you do not owe the debt and that the account has been closed. Under new provisions in the FCRA, a debt collector must notify the creditor that the debt may be a result of identity theft. (§615(g)) The FCRA also prohibits the sale or transfer of a debt caused by identity theft. (§615(f)) For additional information on dealing with debt collectors, read our Fact free credit report score St. Louis Sheet 27, which has a section for victims of identity theft at www.privacyrights.org/fs/fs27-debtcoll.htm#8 7. Check and banking fraud. If you have had checks stolen or bank accounts set up fraudulently, ask your bank to report it to ChexSystems, a consumer reporting agency that compiles reports on checking accounts. Also, place a security alert free credit report score St. Louis on your file (see web address below). best credit report Your bank should be able to provide you with a fraud affidavit. Put "stop payments" on any outstanding checks that you are unsure about.

Close your checking account and other affected accounts and obtain new account free credit report score St. Louis numbers. Give the bank a password for your account (not mother's maiden name, Social Security number, date of birth, pet's name, sequential numbers, or any other easily guessed words).

If your own checks are rejected at stores where you shop, contact the check verification company that the merchant uses.

TeleCheckFor annual file disclosureFraud, id theft department Under a new federal law, you now have a right to obtain any reports that these companies compile about you. For ChexSystems and any of the check verification companies listed here that you have had to contact as a result of your identity theft situation, we recommend that you request a copy of your file once a year. If not, you will find it difficult to open new bank accounts and/or write checks.

Visit the web sites listed above to learn how to order your free annual reports. And read the PRC's guide on these "specialty reports." www.privacyrights.org/fs/fs6b-SpecReports.htm 8. ATM cards. If your ATM or debit card has been stolen or compromised , report it immediately. You may be liable if the fraud is not reported quickly. Start with a phone call and immediately follow up in writing. act credit report Be sure to read the debit card contract for information about liability.

Some cards are better protected in cases of fraud than others. ATM and debit free credit report score St. Louis card transactions are subject to the Electronic Fund Transfer Act. (15 USC §1693) Even if you are a victim of identity theft, your liability for charges can increase the longer the crime goes unreported.

For more on EFTA, see the FTC's guide, free credit report score St. Louis www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/credit/cre04.shtm.

Also read its guide on electronic banking, www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/credit/cre14.shtm 9. Brokerage accounts. You free credit report score St. Louis do not have the same protections against loss with brokerage accounts as you do with credit and debit card or bank accounts.