Credit Card Information
If you believe the fields you completed in documents contained credit card information, you should take steps to secure your credit account by taking the following steps:
- Review your card statements for the affected credit card and look for unauthorized transactions;
- Obtain and review your annual credit report;
- Consider placing a “freeze” on your credit with the major consumer credit reporting bureaus; and
- Notify your card-issuing bank if you discover any fraudulent activity.
Social Security Numbers
If you believe the fields you completed in documents contained information related to your personal identity, you should take steps to protect your credit and personal identity:
- Obtain and review your annual credit report;
- Security Freeze. In some US states, you have the right to put a security freeze on your credit file. A security freeze (also known as a credit freeze) makes it harder for someone to open a new account in your name. It is designed to prevent potential creditors from accessing your credit report without your consent. As a result, using a security freeze may interfere with or delay your ability to apply for a new credit card, wireless phone, or any service that requires a credit check. You must separately place a security freeze on your credit file with each credit reporting agency. To place a security freeze, you may be required to provide the consumer reporting agency with information that identifies you including your full name, Social Security number, date of birth, current and previous addresses, a copy of your state-issued identification card, and a recent utility bill, bank statement, or insurance statement. There is no charge to request a security freeze or to remove a security freeze.
Obtain and Monitor Your Credit Report
We recommend that you obtain a free copy of your credit report from each of the three major credit reporting agencies once every 12 months by visiting http://www.annualcreditreport.com, calling toll-free 877-322-8228, or by completing an Annual Credit Report Request Form and mailing it to Annual Credit Report Request Service, P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta, GA 30348. You can access the request form at https://www.annualcreditreport.com/requestReport/requestForm.action. Or you can elect to purchase a copy of your credit report by contacting one of the three national credit reporting agencies. Contact information for the three national credit reporting agencies for the purpose of requesting a copy of your credit report or for general inquiries is provided below:
| Equifax | Experian | TransUnion |
|---|---|---|
| (866) 349-5191 www.equifax.com P.O. Box 740241 Atlanta, GA 30374 | (888) 397-3742 www.experian.com P.O. Box 4500 Allen, TX 75013 | (800) 888-4213 www.transunion.com 2 Baldwin Place, P.O. Box 1000 Chester, PA 19016 |
Consider Placing a Fraud Alert on Your Credit Report
You may want to consider placing a fraud alert on your credit report. An initial fraud alert is free and will stay on your credit file for at least 90 days. The alert informs creditors of possible fraudulent activity within your report and requests that the creditor contact you prior to establishing any accounts in your name. To place a fraud alert on your credit report, contact any of the three credit reporting agencies identified above. Additional information is available at http://www.annualcreditreport.com.