Identity Theft RepairIn Ohio

Most Ohio consumers worry about the threat of identity theft, and for good reason. Reported cases of identity theft are on the rise, and fraudsters are not always sneaky cyber thieves. This is why it’s important to know what to do if ID thieves strike. In cases of identity theft, speed is of the essence. There are some things you need to know about Identity Theft:

Fixing Credit Report Damage after Identity Theft

Victims of identity theft must start the process as soon as possible after the crime happens. The following is a step-by-step guide:

File a police report – no matter what.

Creditor and credit reporting agencies won’t work with you unless you have a police report. So, calling the police is the first crucial step in the identity theft recovery process. Remember that your ability to repair your credit reports relies on whether or not you have a police report so that you can support your disputes.

Contact the three major credit reporting agencies.

After alerting your local authorities, call or email the three major credit bureaus; TransUnion, Experian, and Equifax. Let each credit bureau know that you are an identity theft victim, then request a credit freeze. This disables anyone’s ability to get new credit in your name. Once the credit freezes are enacted, each credit reporting agency will send you a free copy of your credit report.

Find and report fraudulent credit report items.

Go over each credit report carefully and make a note of all suspicious charges and accounts you did not create. Next, write dispute letters to the appropriate creditors and credit bureaus about the fraudulent items. Make sure to attach any available supporting documents and copies of your police report to the letters before mailing them.

Wait 30 days before taking further action.

After receiving your dispute letters, creditors and credit bureaus, take 30 days in which to conduct an investigation of your claims. So, mark your calendar and wait for their responses. Once you receive them, request new copies of your credit reports to verify that all disputed items are removed. If any remain, you may have to file a lawsuit against the those creditors and/or credit bureaus.

Free, Legal Credit Report Recovery Services for Victims of Identity Theft

At the local Law Firm of Gary D. Nitzkin, P.C., we know that the identity theft recovery process is daunting. This is why we fix credit reports damaged by identity theft for FREE. In fact, our attorneys and credit repair professionals will manage the whole process for you. This includes writing your dispute letters, mailing them, organizing your documents, and if necessary, filing a lawsuit on your behalf.

The best part is that all of these services cost our clients nothing out of pocket. Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), the defendants in successful actions are required to cover both our costs and fees. So you pay nothing, and you may even be entitled to receive payment for damages.