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If you suspect you are a victim of fraud or credit abuse please know there are steps you can take to minimize your exposure. Contact all the following institutions (no matter how onerous this sounds). This is kind of like a car accident where it isn’t your fault, but, YOU must now do the work to clean it up. Acting immediately and covering all the options below may save you years of frustration and a lot of money as well.
For lost credit cards, retrace your steps and talk to any merchants you recently visited, there is still the hope that a Good Samaritan has found and returned your cards. Even if they are found, cancel them and get new ones.
For fraudulent charges:
Call the 800 number of the credit card used and explain the situation and what YOU want done. You will find this phone number on your old bills along with your account information
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Federal Trade Commission http://www.consumer.gov/idtheft/
Social Security Administration fraud hotline 1 800 269 0271
The three major credit bureau numbers - call them all;
Equifax 1 800 525 6285
Experian 1 888 397 3742
Trans Union 1 800 680 7289
Call your local law-enforcement too!
Vermont State Attorney General Consumer Assistance Program 1 802 828 3171
Vermont. Attorney General web site http://www.atg.state.vt.us/
Vermont State Senior Help Line 1-800-642-5119
There will be paper work and many hours on the phone but the quicker started the faster done.
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