Facing identity theft can be stressful. You were trying to do all of the right things, but after identity theft, you are left with a mess trying to prove that you are you.
You may be able to get fraudulent charges reversed once you prove someone stole your identity. Still, sometimes the consequences include more than a large credit card bill. Sometimes, an identity thief does significant damage to your credit score.
Here are some things you can do to repair the damage done to your credit after your identity was stolen.
First steps
Resolving the devastation after identity theft can come with a lot of legwork. In addition to reporting identity theft, you should also freeze your accounts and your credit report.
When you freeze your accounts and credit reports, it stops the damage. While it may be inconvenient to work around the freezes, it will help you prevent more damage by making your credit report unavailable to new creditors.
You should also place a fraud alert on your credit report. A fraud alert will establish a clear line when you became aware of the problem. Ultimately, you will need to work with the creditors to work backward to establish what charges do not belong to you.
Repairing damage
Damage control can be one of the most cumbersome steps in repairing your credit after someone steals your identity. You will need to contact the companies involved and let them know what happened. They may ask for reports of the theft. You will also need to work with them to establish the fraudulent charges.
After contacting the creditors, you will need to monitor your reports. You should look for an end to the fraudulent activity and establish removal of the issues caused by the theft. In some cases, companies will say they are willing to work with you but may not follow through on the final steps.
Avoiding vulnerability
Protecting your credit and your identity comes with several layers. You should change your passwords often, ensuring they have a variety of letters, numbers and symbols to make them difficult to guess.
You should also be sure to check your credit report regularly. In some cases, someone can steal your identity and could use your credit for a long time before you would notice.
Knowing your identity was stolen can leave you feeling vulnerable. It is essential to take action right away to repair the damage done to your credit.
