Credit Card Fraud

Step I: Notify Credit Agencies and contact the following credit reporting companies:

• Trans Union 1-800-680-7289 TUC.com
• CSC Fraud 1-800-272-9281
• Equifax 1-800-525-6285 Equifax.com
• Experian 1-888-397-3742 Experian.com

1. Explain to each agency that you have been a victim of fraud and give them your Fife PD incident number
2. Ask each agency to place a "victim of fraud" statement into your credit file
3. Ask each agency to send you a copy of your credit report
4. Upon receipt, examine each report carefully for unauthorized accounts and inquiries
5. Ask each agency for the names and addresses of creditors reporting the unauthorized accounts and inquiries
6. Trans Union, Equifax, and Experian will now temporarily remove disputed charges from your credit history when you provide them with a copy of your police report detailing the fraudulent charges. This allows you to still obtain credit while your case is being investigated

Step II: Notify Merchants and creditors
Contact each merchant and creditor who accepted the fraudulent charge or opened the fraudulent account.

1. Advise the merchant or creditor that the account was opened or the charge was made without your permission.
2. Ask the merchant or creditor to explain their process for resolving fraudulent transactions.
3. Many merchants and creditors accept the "Affidavit of Fraud" form that can be found online at www.FTC.gov  Please do not send affidavits to the Financial Crimes Unit. Your original police report is sufficient
4. Maintain contact with all merchants and creditors until their investigations are completed. Ask merchants or creditor to instruct the credit-reporting agency to remove all information related to their fraudulent transaction from your file.

Step III: Review your credit report

Allow 30 days after completion of a merchant or creditor's investigation for the credit-reporting agency to send you an amended credit report. If you have not received an amended report after the expiration of 30 days, request one from each credit reporting agency that listed the fraudulent transaction or inquiry in your credit file. Upon receipt, ensure that the fraudulent transaction or inquiry has been removed from your report.

Step IV: Contact the Federal Trade Commission

The Federal Trade Commission is compiling a nationwide database of complainants and addresses where fraudulent credit cards and mail orders are being sent. This allows law enforcement agencies around the country to contact you in case there are other charges or credit cards going to the same address. The toll-free number is 1-877-IDTHEFT (438-4338) and the website is www.ftc.gov .