While all of the above should prove helpful, none of the above is completely fail–safe. We do believe, however, that if you follow these guidelines, you should recover from the trauma of identity theft in a reasonable period of time, in pretty good shape. And, you can put yourself in a much stronger position to either avoid, or at least, minimize the significant damage that can be done to your credit history in the event you are a victim of this crime.
In all cases it is important to understand:
The need for comprehensive documentation:
When dealing with government agencies, financial institutions, credit extenders, utility companies and the police, it is imperative that you:
Keep a log of all conversations, specifically noting names, dates, times and telephone numbers;
Send all correspondence by certified mail, return receipt requested;
Keep copies of all letters and documents (including the envelopes in which they were sent); and,
Include your police report number whenever you report the crime.
Don´t be afraid to consult legal counsel
If you encounter any resistance as you make your way through the process, it may well be a very good idea to retain legal counsel. An attorney can help you evaluate your position and understand your rights under various banking, credit and Social Security laws. If you do not have counsel, you might consider contacting the lawyer referral service of your county or state Bar Association.
If you have any questions, or need further information about how to detect, or recover from, identity theft, we recommend that you contact the Department of Consumer Affairs or Office of the Attorney General in your state, or the Federal Trade Commission.
