Not too long ago, a friend of mine mentioned that one of his coworkers recently recovered his stolen identity. I asked how long the process took. "Only two years" he replied.
Compared to my business partner's six year nightmare "only" maybe appropriate but like most victims of identity theft, he probably thought "when". As in, "when will I get my life back?"
Privacy Rights Clearinghouse, a consumer nonprofit organization, reported that victims spend on average 175 hours trying to recover their identity, often over a period of years. Factor in out of pocket expenses, (usually over $1,500 according to the FTC) and recovery gets painfully magnified.
What are the steps to identity restoration? It starts with obtaining a police report. That report doesn't mean other law enforcement agencies have been contacted. Yet you must do a complete search of local and federal law enforcement databases too find out if anything else, including criminal activity exists on your identity.
You're also going to need the police report to contact the many and I mean many different agencies and organizations, including the Social Security Administration, The Federal Trade Commission, all of your financial institutions, the 3 major credit bureaus, the Passport Office,The Department of Motor Vehicles, the Post Office, as well as the Medical Information Bureau . All of these places must be sent a fraud notification alert. Concerning your financial institutions, get them to cancel your credit cards and close your bank accounts. Find out from your bank about any suspicious activity, such as accounts tampered with or opened fraudulently. Reopen new bank accounts with password verification.
Know your rights. According to the Fair Credit Reporting Act of 1992, you must be told not only what's in your file but if that information is being used against you. The Federal Trade Commission recently expanded the rights available to victims of identity theft, including your right to get negative information due to fraud blocked from your records.
This brings us to the credit bureaus. Make sure your credit report reflects the identity theft and gets flagged with a fraud alert. Many victims have received assurances that the matter would be resolved, however months and sometimes years later, the credit bureaus have not cleared their records. This without a doubt ranks as THE biggest headache for identity theft victims.
Once a negative gets put on your record, it seems the credit bureaus refuse to remove it, in spite of the countless documentation you provide to them. This can affect you well into the future when buying a house, car or any other big ticket item. If you are going to do this by yourself, constant follow up is critical. That goes for all the organizations but especially the credit bureaus. Be diligent until the matter gets resolved. Getting a lawyer wouldn't be a bad idea.
Stay Away from "credit repair companies". No matter what they advertise, there's usually nothing they can do to help you with identity theft. Some of them even offer to help you apply for credit under a new identity. Hello? When trying to eliminate fraud from your record you don't want to create more fraud!
Advise the utility companies. It's not just bank accounts and credit cards. Many identity thieves commit fraud by opening telephone accounts, purchasing cable television or establishing credit with the gas & electric companies, in the hopes it will go unnoticed for as long as possible.
If necessary get counseling. Identity theft can be a shattering experience mentally and emotionally. Victims and family members often feel violated. It's not their fault of course but the feelings remain. A network of support groups and counselors exists if you need it.
The road back from identity theft can take years, cost a lot of money,and cause much stress and pain . But with follow up, support and belief that the nightmare will end...the nightmare WILL end.
About the author:
Daryl Campbell is a writer and home business owner. Nearly one in five Americans have experienced identity theft. Not surprisingly, many Americans say they are concerned about identity theft -- but few have done anything to prevent it. Don't wait until it happens, get peace of mind today. http://digbig.com/4dwsx
Learn About The Latest
Trends In Cosmetics Now
by: Bridget Allen
The days of bright blue eye shadow and slathered on blush are gone with
the wind! If you are in desperate need of a make up freshen up, consider
these hot trends in cosmetics. These latest colors, tips, and techniques
are just what anyone needs to update a look or make the change into a new
season. Remember that your cosmetics do have an expiration date, so keep
this in mind when shopping for new make up. With each season, carefully
look through your make up kit and discard any items that are outdated.
This is critical, especially with eye make up that can expire and
potentially cause painful infections. Also, remember not to share your
make up with anyone else to prevent spread of germs and infection.
Today’s latest trends in cosmetics reflect the fashion trends—shimmer
and shine! From super glossy lip gloss to candy like eye make up with
glitter to make your eyes truly pop. This trend only applies to eyes,
lips, and nails, however, since cream and matte finishes is hot for
foundations, powders, and blush. In addition to shimmer and shine, the
color of eye and lip make up is quite subtle. Gone are the vibrant colors
and eye popping shades of eye shadow. Instead, pale browns, ivories,
grays, tans, and other natural colors are all the rage. Lip shades are
also a bit more subdued, with a nude lip or a sheer pink gloss being
incredibly hot.
Lipstick is out today, with lip gloss taking over the first place in
purses all over the country. These lip glosses are made in every color
under the sun and many mimic the appearance of lipstick with a much
smoother and glossier look. For individuals looking to care for their lips
and enjoy that terrific nude lip look, consider using a simple hydrating
stick. The all natural brand, Bert’s Bees, produces a phenomenal product
that can be applied under a gloss or used by itself.
The days of pressed powder may be numbered; as today’s hot products
include cream powders that go on thick but dries sheer and ultra light.
This option is great for individuals who would like a bit more coverage
than pressed powder offers, but do not want to deal with the mess and
hassle of using foundation. Another popular trend along this line is the
cream blush, which also goes on like a cream but dries a powder. Also,
cream blushes prevent that unnatural coloring that appears on many women’s
cheeks.
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