Identity Theft 

Creditors:

Contact all creditors immediately with whom your identity has been fraudulently used, by phone and in writing. Get a replacement card and a new account number for any account that has been fraudulently accessed. Ask that the old account be processed as " account closed at customer's request". This is better than " card lost or stolen " because when this statement is reported to credit bureaus, it can be interpreted as blaming you for the loss. Carefully monitor your mail and credit card bills for evidence of new fraudulent activity and report it immediately to credit grantors if something is found.

You may be asked by banks and credit grantors to fill out and notarize affidavits for the frauds, which could become costly. The law does not require that a notarized affidavit be provided creditors. A written statement and supporting documentations should be enough (unless the creditor offers to pay for the notary.)