Identity Theft - 7 Strategies For Surviving Identity Theft
I am not a lawyer and this is NOT legal advice. I am a victim and a survivor of identify theft.
How did I survive?
I organized my assets, created a system and prepared for a fight. My system which included perseverance, patience, and organization made it possible to battle the businesses, the collectors and the courts. I won every battle I chose to fight and I did not pay one bill that was created by the identity thieves.
Here are 7 strategies I used in my battles.
1. Keep accurate records
It is imperative that you keep complete and accurate records. When a bogus bill comes to your attention immediately create a file for that bill. Then make copies of the bill and everything you send to that collector. Never mail anything without sending it certified mail with return receipt. Yes, it is more expensive but power it adds to your record keeping is priceless.
2. Close your bank account.
Contact an account manager immediately, inform him/her what has happened and close your account. Next, tell the manager that you would like a notarized statement confirming that the check was a forgery and a notarized statement that confirms your true signature. If all goes well, open a new account immediately to handle your new transactions. If the bank is uncooperative seriously consider changing banks.
3. Get a police report.
Contact your local law enforcement and request a case number. If you have to, demand one. Don’t let them brush you off, it will cost you later. Make sure you have copies of the check or checks and the affidavits from the bank. The next morning go to the police department or court house to obtain a copy of the crime report. It will cost about five dollars but it will well worth it.
4. Contact the credit bureaus .
As soon as you have obtained your case number and the officer has left, call the major credit bureaus and request a credit report watch
5. Organize your materials.
The major key to winning the war is to stay organized. You must make multiple copies of all your evidence and keep your originals in a separate file to insure that you don’t mail the originals. Then set up files for every company or bill collector that contacts you and make copies of everything that receive or send. The paper trail is your friend.
6. Don’t trust bill collectors or the company.
Don’t trust any bill collector or company to do things for you. They are not your friend. They want the money and don’t care from whom it comes. Also watch out for a company and a bill collector to try collecting the same bill. Even after you have sent one of them all your information. This is a ploy to confuse you and get the money.
WARNING: DO NOT PAY any bill that is not yours. Once you pay a collector, the others will pounce on you. You have given in and lost leverage.
7. Be patient.
The whole process requires patience. Don’t panic and stand your ground with the bill collectors. If you didn’t make the charges don’t let them scare you into paying. They will use every trick in the book
No one else cares.
Be prepared to fight this war alone, trust no one and choose your battles wisely. The police will be of little help, the government agencies will do even less and the companies or their collectors will pursue you with a vengeance. However, if you remain diligent, calm, and consistent you will win the war.
If you would like to know more about identity theft or obtain forms to help prepare your materials go to http://idtheftsurvivalguide.com
Darrell Causey is a identity theft victim who fought and didn’t pay one of the bogus bills. He also managed to clean up and correct his credit report at the same time.
Tags: credit card theft, credit reports, id theft, identity, identity theft