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The Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act (FACT Act) will help reduce identity theft according to Congress and the Federal Trade Commission. For example, one provision requires the three major credit-reporting agencies to provide consumers with a free copy of their own credit report.

Another provision to help prevent identity theft is the National Fraud Alert System. Consumers, who reasonably suspect they have been or may be victimized by identity theft, or who are military personnel on active duty away from home, can place an alert on their credit files. The alert will put potential creditors on notice that they must proceed with caution when granting credit.

Other measures that will help consumers recover their credit reputation after they have been victimized:

• Credit reporting agencies must stop reporting allegedly fraudulent account information when a consumer establishes that he or she has been the victim of identity theft.
• Creditors or businesses must provide copies of business records on fraudulent accounts or transactions related to them. This information can assist victims in proving that they are, in fact, victims.
• Consumers will be allowed to report accounts affected by identity theft directly to creditors in addition to credit reporting agencies to prevent the spread of erroneous information.

The Three Major Credit Agencies:

Equifax (www.equifax.com) Place a fraud alert 1-888-766-0008 Order a credit report 1-800-685-1111

Experian (www.experian.com) Place a fraud alert 1-888-397-3742 Order a credit report 1-888-397-3742

TransUnion (www.transunion.com) Place a fraud alert 1-800-680-7289 Order a credit report 1-800-888-4213