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Question:

How do I file an identity theft alert for my sons and myself?

We are moving and my car was broken into. They stole my wallet, which had my sons' social security cards, and my old one with my maiden name and my new one. They also ended up with my routing and account number, but I closed the account. They had my ID too, but that was mailed back to me from across the state. I am afraid they will open accounts in my sons' names, since they have all the information needed. How do I file a identity theft/fraud alert for free?

Answers:

1) you should get your credit reports and theirs too...from annualcreditreport.com you can get it once a year for free from all three credit bureaus.there are programs that will allow you to do the alerts...i dont know about free though...all the ones i have ever seen are by subscription

2) Lifelock is good - but it has a monthly fee Equifax, transunion and experian - the 3 largest can be notified and an alert can be set up on your SSN's for fraud alert

3) This is from the Social Security Administration's website: One of the things it says to do is notify the Federal Trade Commission (there's a number on the link). You should also start monitoring the credit reports of the three reporting agencies and IMMEDIATELY take action if you notice strange things happening on them. Next time, you should NOT leave your wallet in your car, even if you're parked in your own drive way.

4) You have to write or call each of the three credit history services. They each should have a fraud hotline. You can request a fraud alert placed on each of the SSNs in question. Equifax: P.O. Box 740241 Atlanta, GA 30374-0241 * Report fraud: Call 1-800-525-6285 and write to the above address. * Order credit reports: 1-800-685-1111. Experian: P.O. Box 9532 Allen, TX 75013-0949 * Report fraud: Call 1-888-397-3742 and write to the above address. * Order credit reports: 1-888-397-3742. Trans Union: P.O. Box 1000 Chester, PA 19022 * Report fraud: Call 1-800-680-7289 and write to: Fraud Victim Assistance Division, P.O. Box 790, Fullerton, CA 92634. * Order credit reports: 1-800-916-8800.

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