Consumer Watch: Your rights and steps you should take if your credit is hacked

The exact same day my husband placed credit/security freezes on Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion credit reporting agencies ("The Big Three"), he got three emails – one right after the other – from his Discover card. Yep, he'd been ripped off for four different charges, including almost $200 at Dunkin' Donuts. Obviously, that two months Equifax kept the hackers an immense secret, the identity theft fraudsters had way too much opportunity to filch the confidential info from 143 million Americans. I decided then and there another column was warranted revealing more detailed data for those readers who've also been hacked.

The fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) gives us specific rights when we believe we've become (or actually are) victims of ID theft. Recovery is no simple task, either; it takes a long while - as much as several years - a lot of personal time and, at the very least, many thousands of dollars to recoup your losses and your good name. So what are the specific rights we consumers have to help us recover from this assault? (A tad of the following information also appeared in my column two weeks ago.)

1. Ask each of the Big Three to place a "Fraud Alert" in your file. By doing so, you're telling potential creditors and others that you might be a victim of ID theft. By notifying just one of the agencies, you're giving that it permission to also warn the other two to place their own fraud alerts. These alarms may be placed by phone or online: Equifax.com (1-800-525-6285); Experian.com (1-888-397-3742); or TransUnion.com (1-800-680-7289). An initial fraud alert stays in your file for ninety days, but an extended one remains for seven years. (Obviously, readers know which one I suggest; however, for the latter, the victim must file an Identity Theft Report to include a copy filed with a federal, state, or local law enforcement agency, as well as any additional info that's required. Read further on www.consumerfinance.gov/learnmore.

2. You're entitled to free copies of the information in your file. As it stands now, consumers have the right to three free different credit reports yearly, one from each agency; please recall I've written about these over the years and even suggested obtaining the freebies but also paying the $39 to cover more months within a given years. Well, now that you've been victimized (Hooray?), an initial fraud alert entitles you to these free additional reports.

3. Obtain documents relating to fraudulent transactions made or accounts opened in your name using your (stolen) personal information. In fact, a creditor or business must give you copies of applications and other business records that resulted from theft of your identity. Ask for them in writing, though. Check www.consumerfinance.gov/learnmore.

4. Boo, hiss to debt collectors, even if many are very nice people just doing their jobs. The collector must provide you with certain info about the so-called debt - the one incurred in your name by Tracy Thief, including the creditor's name and the amount of the debt.

5. Assuming you think some information in your file is caused by identity theft, you have the right to ask the consumer reporting agency to block those specifics from your file. Naturally, it goes without saying, you must establish proof of identity, including a copy of the identity theft report.

6. Also, prevent businesses from reporting info about you to consumer reporting agencies if you believe said information results from ID theft. Again, proof is required.

The FCRA offers many other significant consumer protections in addition to what I've stated today. Don't forget to go to www.consumerfinance.gov/learnmore. And, finally, Never. Ever. negate the urgency of keeping up with your credit reports on a regular basis.

(An Urgent P.S.: To my shock and alarm, after my enthusiastic recommendations about LifeLock through the years, I discovered last week the protection I thought Hubby and I were afforded had to be upgraded. To ensure the level of scrutiny that I assumed was the protective umbrella over our respective heads, I, therefore, elevated us to the Advantage plan (to the tune of $75 extra per person per year). On the other hand, while the $99 yearly special wasn't as "special" as I previously thought, it certainly gave us enough of a safety net to feel pretty secure, as should those of you who also are subscribers.)

Contact Ellen Phillips at consumerwatch@timesfreepress.com

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