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| Frequently Asked Questions |
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| What to do if I am a victim of Identitiy Theft? |
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If you suspect that you’re a victim of online fraud or identity theft, follow these steps immediately:
- Notify one of the three major credit bureaus and place a fraud alert on your credit report. Call the toll-free number of any of the three major credit bureaus to place a fraud alert on your credit report. This can help prevent an identity thief from opening additional accounts in your name. Once the credit bureau confirms your fraud alert, the other two credit bureaus will automatically be notified.
- Contact your financial institutions and credit card companies. Close the affected accounts and open new ones with new personal identification numbers and passwords.
- Contact the local police department and ask to file a miscellaneous incident report. Even if the police do not catch the criminal, having a police report can help you clear up your credit records. Ask for the case number and copy of the report.
- Contact all the businesses that have opened accounts in your name without your permission. Close the accounts and let the businesses know that the accounts were opened fraudulently. Make sure you communicate with the businesses in writing.
- Notify the Federal Trade Commission
 . Call 1-877-ID-THEFT (438-4338) or visit www.consumer.gov/idtheft. By sharing your identity theft complaint with the FTC, you will provide important information that can help law enforcement officials track down identity thieves.
- Report stolen mail. File a report with the Postal Service. Call your local Postal Inspector or visit www.usps.com.
- Call the Social Security Fraud Hotline. Immediately report that your card has been lost or stolen by calling the Hotline at 1-800-269-0271.
- Report stolen checks. If your checks have been stolen or misused, request stop payments for all affected check numbers.
- Please forward any fraudulent or suspicious e-Mails or websites to websecure@bfsfcu.org to assist us in preventing further members from being victimized.
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