Questions concerning about Identity Theft?

Question

So something happened and now I'm at risk of identity theft, the thief could have my SSN. I immediately called and placed a fraud alert on my credit and monitoring my credit through Chase. I've also placed a hold on my bank and credit card account to be safe. Now here's where the questions come and I'm confused about them.

1. Can I just call one of the 3 bureaus to place a fraud alert every 90 days or do I have to write to them?

2. About credit cards, if the thief tries to request a credit card, would I find out before or after it's issued?

3. Is monitoring my accounts the only way to protect my credit and money?

4. I probably should ask the bank this, but it won't hurt to ask here. If I didn't do a transaction with my bank and the money was already withdrawn, could I dispute this fraud?

5. Any other tips or resources you can link me to?

Thanks for taking your time and helping me.

Answer 1

Put the account on fraud alert through Trans Union Fraud Dept. Their toll free # 1-800-680-7289. They will notify the other 2 bureaus for you at no cost. It has to be renewed every 90 days. You can also call Social Security Fraud Dept. Their toll free # 1-800-269-0271.

Answer 2

You can call any one of the three credit beaureus and place a credit monitoring for 90 days. When someone goes to run your credit (if that person tries or even if you try), it'll come up to the place where the person applied that you have the credit monitoring on your credit report. But they don't always work so great because my Grandmother put the credit monitoring on her credit report thru Experian and someone still ended up getting a credit card in her name. You should try signing up with Life Lock. I think it has a free 30 day trial, and that is a DEFINITE way to make sure that your identity is safe. And if he tried to get a credit card in your name & you have the credit monitoring, they SHOULD and are supposed to call you before they issue it to make sure that it isn't fraud..but as I said, and I'm just looking out for you, that they didn't do it once for my Grandmother. About your third question, Another way to monitor your credit is to sign up for freecreditreport.com (it costs a dollar for 9 or 14 days, then you hafta pay $9.99 or so a month), and you can check your credit report whenever you want and see if there is anything on there that shouldn't be. And on your 4th question, yes the bank could dispute the fraud. It just happened to my boyfriend & I and they did it for us. That's how I know all this. Its HORRIBLE that people do this to anyone, and I'm so sorry to hear that its possibly happening to you. I really hope this helps, and if you have any other questions about it, feel free to email me and ill help you out. Also, you should make a police report about it to have it on record so if anything does end up happening, you can have it on file and it'll be easier to get things straightened out. Good Luck & I hope everything works out for the best for you.