Steps to Take if Your Identity or Credit Cards are Stolen

Steps to Take if Your Identity or Credit Cards are Stolen

Here's a follow up to my post about recording the confidential items in your wallet so you know what you lost in the event of theft.

Below is a very useful reference posted on the Hawaii Better Business Bureau website:

If your ID or credit cards are lost or stolen, immediately notify your credit providers by phone and then notify each of the three credit bureaus to request a “Fraud Alert” be placed on your file. 

Placing this alert tells creditors to follow certain procedures before they open new accounts in your name or make changes to your existing accounts. Posting a Fraud Alert will also make it difficult for you to open instant credit, so be sure to read all information before engaging a Fraud Alert. 

Posting a Fraud Alert also entitles you to free copies of your credit report. When reviewing your credit report, look for inquiries from companies you have not contacted, accounts you did not open, and debts on your accounts that you can’t explain. 

Close any accounts that have been tampered with or established fraudulently. 

Big 3 Credit Bureau contact numbers

www.equifax.com 800-525-6285 

www.experian.com 888-EXPERIAN (397-3742) 

www.transunion.com 800-680-7289