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Dr. Dianna Lindsay's picture
Dr. Dianna Lindsay
After 43 years in my chosen profession, I remain excited, alive, and learning! From an active Twitter Account to blogging, from teaching Constitutional Law to Pre-AP English, from a national winner...
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Character: Credit Card Fraud 12 Step Advice

  • If you are an educator, you rarely deal with fraud. When you do have the experience, it hits you like a moving train or a crashing plane. My 12 Step Advice:
  1. 1. Contact each reporting credit agency ASAP: Equifax (1-800-525-6285), Experian (1-888-397-3742), and TransUnion (1-800-680-7289). Report your lost/stolen or fraud credit card application. Don't wait!
  2. 2. Request a "Fraud Alert" and/or Social Security Alert" be placed on your account. This notifies all companies of your problem with your identity.
  3. 3. Request that the old account be processed as "Account Closed at Customer's Request" to avoid any blame to you.
  4. 4. Follow-up your call with a victim statement (100 words or less) stating the fact that your ID was used fraudulently and that you must be contact when any and all credit is applied for in the future. Place an extended alert and purchased further protection.
  5. 5. Contact the local police; explain your problem and file a claim and secure a number from the police for further use.
  6. 6. Request a copy if your credit history from each service every six months (this will cost you but you now need to be certain everything is clearly reported.
  7. 7. Don't sign the back of your credit cards with your name instead write "Check ID" in the signature box to extend the responsibility to the clerk and the store.
  8. 8. Watch for "Dumpster Divers" and shred everything with your name.
  9. 9. Buy a home shredder!
  10. 10. Photocopy all credit cards both front and back sides and leave them in a safe place at home.
  11. 11. Check that your credit cards can't be accessed by WiFi; call the bank and ask to not have such cards. WiFi cards can be read through your wallet or purses!
  12. 12. Consider signing-up for credit monitoring services.
  13. Other important numbers: Social Security Administration 1-800-772-1213; your state driver's license agency usually in your state capital; IRS usually in your state capital; your banking institutions to reissue bank numbers and credit cards; remove your name from direct mailing (www.donotcall) and (www.dmaconsumers.org) and pre-approved credit applications at 888-567-8688. Check to see if your state has an Identity theft resource center and reach out! Don't let fraud ruin you because you don't have an action plan!