Consumer Fraud Protection

If you find yourself a victim of internet fraud, identity theft or credit card fraud, you will be pleased to know that you are not alone. Consumer fraud protection has improved as online identity theft and other forms of consumer fraud increase.

If you believe you are a victim of credit card fraud, the first thing you need to do is to call your credit card companies and report the fraud. Make sure all credit cards are cancelled and, if possible, get new cards. If the fraud is more serious and you cannot get another card, you need to contact the three national credit agencies and have a note placed on your file to alert other credit card companies, lenders and vendors to the fraud.  

If you have been a victim of online or email fraud, let your email service provider know and, if the thieves used the name of a reputable company to perpetrate the theft, you should also contact the bank, retailer or other vendors whose name is being used.

Cancel email accounts, change passwords for all online accounts and review and all other accounts you may have online to be sure the thieves cannot gain access to your accounts. Remember, if a thief is smart, they can call online vendors and others and ask to have passwords reset or changed, or tell the vendor you have moved and get critical information sent to their address, thereby circumventing any control you may still have.  

If you find you are the victim of identity theft, you should engage the local and possibly the national authorities. Contact the Federal Trade Commission and seek advice.  

Better yet, avoid identity theft by arming yourself with knowledge. The National Fraud Information Center and Consumer Fraud Reporting provide information on scams and techniques and keep you ahead of the curve. If you know what to look for, you will not become a victim of identity theft or consumer fraud. Fraud prevention is the best technique. Instead of waiting until you have a problem, it is better to avoid the problem altogether.