Identity Theft Nightmare (The Today Show)

Interesting segment from the Today Show

If your wallet is stolen:

File a police report;

Start keeping detailed records including the names, dates, and phone numbers of people you've reported this theft to;

Report all your credit cards as stolen so that you are issued new cards with new account numbers.

(Most credit card companies will automatically place a fraud alert in your credit report on your behalf when you notify them of a stolen card);

FREEZE all three of your credit reports--do not rely on the theft alert alone, as it will not fully protect you from having accounts opened in your name, that is something only a full credit report freeze will do;

Subscribe to a credit monitoring service (if it is available with a frozen report). These services supposedly provide insurance in the event you are a victim--not many people can afford to lay out $50,000 in legal fees and that is where ID Theft Insurance will come in handy, assuming your homeowner's policy doesn't already offer this type of coverage.

MYFICO, Equifax, Transunion and Experian all offer credit report monitoring (some of these services are made available to those who've already frozen their files).

Also, as in the case of this victim, you may want to alter your banking habits. The thief in this case supposedly managed to withdraw funds and write bad checks using the victim's driver's license.

Sign up for email alerts on all your accounts so you can catch unusual activity before it gets out of hand.

Get a Motor Vehicle record abstract which will confirm your clean driving record and should list all cars currently registered to your name. This will be helpful If the thief manages to get a copy of your license and gets moving violations or buys a car (on credit) in your name.

The abstract may come in handy if you are arrested for contempt of court by not showing up for a hearing for any moving or parking violations issued to the thief in your name.

The only way to help prove that you did not get those tickets is to show that the abstract was clean before the theft.

You can also inquire about getting a new driver's license number.

I would love to know why no mention was made of the arrest of the woman caught posing as this victim?

Assuming she was caught in the act, that alone should have cleared this victim of any crime.

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Howto & Style

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• Theft
• tips
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[Browneyed0604]

A similar thing happened to me and it's unbelievable how useless and difficult the cops and banks are to resolve these kinds of issues. I honestly believe they don't care who the real witness is, but more how that can get their money regardless of where it comes from...it's sick to me how the justice and banking systems work (or should I say DON'T work in helping the victims of ID theft.

[TheNickburnett1989]

poor margie, shee looks hot in her mug shot. everyone in this is a lesbian, which isnt bad just sayin

[TheMadFlea]

If I were in her shoes you bet I'd sue them for every dime it cost me including time away from family and work and public humiliation!