Modern technology has made our lives easier, but it has also made it easier for thieves to commit what the U.S. Postal Service has called the fastest-growing crime in America-identity theft.
If you ever become a victim of identity theft, would you know what to do to help restore your name? There are many issues that may need to be addressed, such as:
• Understanding your rights as a victim.
• Filling out paperwork, including police reports.
• Issuing a Fraud Alert to the three major credit bureaus, financial institutions and credit card companies, as well as the Social Security Administration, Department of Motor Vehicles, Federal Trade Commission and U.S. Postal Service.
• Obtaining copies of your credit bureau reports and working with the three major credit bureaus to restore the accuracy of your credit history.
You can also get help if you become a victim. As this crime grows increasingly common, consumers, who spent up to 300 million hours trying to resolve problems created by identity theft in 2003 (Federal Trade Commission), are looking for options for dealing with the costs and hassles related to this...