Are you a Victim of Identity theft? Tell us your story...

Have you been a victim of Identity theft? Credit card fraud? Cyber Fraud?

Have you been scammed? If you have a story -we want to hear it!

What losses have you incurred?
Facing frustrations?
How did you learn of it?
Do you know how it happened?
How long did it take you to restore your name?
What precautions have you taken?

Share your story in the comment field below or email it and put identity theft story in the subject field.

By sharing your story you help humanize the frustrations many of others face. You also help shed light on the need for stronger consumer protection measures and consumer education.

What should you do if you discover you are a victim of fraud?

Contact one of the national credit bureaus-Equifax (800-525-6285), Experian (888-397-3742), or TransUnion (800-680-7289)-and ask that a fraud alert be put on your account; it will advise creditors to verify any information about new accounts with you directly before establishing new credit. These fraud alerts will only remain active for about 90 days. You must continue to request them at least every three months

File a Police Report with your local police department if you believe you are a victim. Tell them that you need to file a formal document to help you clear up the theft that has already occurred. Notify the Federal Trade Commission and your state Attorney General

Contact the creditor of each fraudulent account and keep copious notes and records of these conversations. You'll be asked to fill out the standard FTC affidavit, available at

Send all of your creditors a copy of your police report-and request the credit bureaus forward you an application requesting that your fraud alerts remain on your credit report for longer than the standard 90 days. When a police report has been filed it validates your claim-be sure to send out all correspondence via certified mail with a return receipt at the post office.

The creditor must, upon your request, supply you with the documents pertaining to the fraudulent account. This includes the application for the account and all transaction records. You can then use these records to help prove your innocence and remove the fraudulent accounts. You must convince the creditor that you were a victim of identity theft in order for the lender to take the necessary steps to remove the charges from your account and additionally report fraud to the credit bureaus.

The Federal Trade Commission offers the following information from their Deter, Detect and Defend awareness program. See: DEFEND: Take Action Immediately

I'm frequently asked "What can I do to avoid an identity theft?"

What's my answer?

Be proactive!

Find tips to protect your identity on this blog.

A memoir exposing the steep price consumers pay when facing mortgage servicing errors, inaccurate credit reporting, illegal debt collection practices, identity theft and weak consumer protection laws. THE BOOK » DENISE'S STORY »

1 Comment

Candace | August 23, 2010 2:12 PM | Reply

Aug.23, 2010
To: Denise Richardson

My name is Candace. I was first a survivor of child abuse; as soon as credit was available to me my father (the thief and rapist) used my I.D. to make sure no more credit would be issued to me (and possibly used against him). My mother knew he was supporting other women with our college money; proof, while he raped me in my bed one more time just before he left (ran); he would get away with everything. SHE FILED FOR DIVORCE and went after him for the rape(s); THE LATER HE ALWAYS THOUGHT WAS ME.

Since no one believed me and so far I had wound up with my teeth wired together and my face in a splint, stumped for an answer if asked even what's my name; I adapted by selective memory with a mind like a steel trap (I had been a varsity letter athlete and honor student)- until I let myself remember which was about a year after he died in 2004.

There were always all these circumstance and realities totally beyond my control I could either fight and try to figure them out or live- I never could do both. My injuries are extensive they are inflicted through out my life- I was never allowed to go off to camp much less school and was at home and even called the police but this
country and it's laws did nothing for me. I was hit in the head with a rock that the doctor was told weighed 15 pounds, I have had 5 knee surgeries- 3 acl graft and reconstruction 1 replacement and that is just my left leg. Not only my father now after his death from the grave someone he met in prison I presume walked into MY bank in 2007 (maybe '08) with all my I.D. where; however, the only knew me at the Fort Worth branch in Carrolton they were opening an account for this new person- All ME. No I am not scizoid, JUST post traumatic stress to the max.
There is more. My Question is is this enough?

Thanks,Candy