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Ebook Take Charge: Fighting Back Against Identity Theft

Submitted by wulan on Sat, 12/05/2009 - 03:43

In the course of a busy day, you may write a check at the grocery store, charge tickets to a ball game, rent a car, mail your tax returns, change service providers for your cell phone, or apply for a credit card. Chances are you don’t give these everyday transactions a second thought. But an identity thief does.

Identity theft is a serious crime. People whose identities have been stolen can spend months or years and thousands of dollars cleaning up the mess the thieves have made of a good name and credit record. In the meantime, victims of identity theft may lose job opportunities, be refused loans for education, housing, or cars, and even get arrested for crimes they didn’t commit. Humiliation, anger, and frustration are among the feelings victims experience as they navigate the process of rescuing their identity.

Working with other government agencies and organizations, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has produced this booklet to help you remedy the effects of an identity theft. It describes what steps to take, your legal rights, how to handle specific problems you may encounter on the way to clearing your name, and what to watch for in the future.

CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION
HOW IDENTITY THEFT OCCURS

  • If Your Personal Information Has Been Lost or Stolen

ID THEFT VICTIMS: IMMEDIATE STEPS

  • Placing Fraud Alerts on Your Credit Report
  • Closing Accounts
  • Filing a Complaint with the Federal Trade Commission
  • The Identity Theft Report
  • Tips For Organizing Your Case
  • Chart Your Course of Action

RESOLVING SPECIFIC PROBLEMS

  • Bank Accounts and Fraudulent Withdrawals
  • Bankruptcy Fraud
  • Correcting Fraudulent Information in Credit Reports
  • Credit Cards
  • Criminal Violations
  • Debt Collectors
  • Driver’s License
  • Investment Fraud
  • Mail Theft
  • Passport Fraud
  • Phone Fraud
  • Social Security Number Misuse
  • Student Loans
  • Tax Fraud

STAYING ALERT

  • Getting Your Credit Report

MINIMIZING RECURRENCES

  • What To Do Today
  • Maintaining Vigilance
  • A Special Word About Social Security Numbers
  • The Doors and Windows are Locked, But

APPENDIX

  • It’s the Law
  • Federal
  • State
  • Instructions for Completing the ID Theft Affidavit
  • The ID Theft Affidavit
  • Annual Credit Report Request Form
  • The FTC’s Privacy Policy

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PDF Ebook Take Charge: Fighting Back Against Identity Theft

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