Nationwide Credit Reporting Companies Encourage Victims of Katrina and Rita to Review Free Reports

Equifax, Experian and TransUnion, the three nationwide credit reporting companies, continue to encourage victims of Katrina and Rita to take steps to protect their credit standing and to deter identity theft. The companies announced the following policies which all three have agreed upon to assist consumers as they deal with their financial affairs:

• Victims of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita will receive free credit reports;

• Victims should visit http://www.annualcreditreport.com on the Web to access their free credit reports online. This service is available even if a victim has previously accessed a free credit report from this Website;

• Victims should consider adding a “hurricane victim” statement to their credit file. This statement will be conveyed to creditors and lenders who view the report; and,

• Victims should call special toll free numbers to obtain information on how to receive a free report as well as to speak directly with live consumer assistance representatives. These consumer assistance representatives can, when necessary, work to verify identities and discuss other options such as placement of fraud alerts on credit reports. The numbers are as follows:

Contact Information:

Equifax: 800-685-1111 or http://www.equifax.com

Experian: 866-966-1067 or http://www.experian.com

TransUnion: 877-680-7275 or http://www.transunion.com

The national credit reporting companies have already reached out to more than 16,500 creditors, lenders and others who furnish data to their systems to provide guidance on data reporting practices that will aid hurricane victims and sensitize lenders to victims’ situations. Specifically, data furnishers have been given information on how to report deferred payment plans and also to include natural disaster codes on accounts affected by the Gulf Coast storms.

In addition to providing credit reports and special assistance free of charge, the nationwide credit reporting companies also urge victims of Katrina and Rita to take the following steps:

• Send letters immediately to creditors explaining the situation and inquiring about any special programs or handling being offered to hurricane victims;

• File a change of address form with the U.S. Post Office once settled into a new address, even if the address is for the short term. This will help ensure that consumers receive their bills and credit card statements — enabling them to keep track of their financial situation while also keeping these documents out of the hands of potential identity thieves. Consumers who may not yet have a permanent address should consider obtaining a locked P.O. Box to protect their forwarded mail;

• Order a credit report only after knowing that the address change has taken effect; and,

• Examine credit and bank accounts and look for any impact, and take immediate steps to resolve any discrepancies.

Those who suspect they are victims of fraud should quickly report and resolve the matter. Equifax, Experian and TransUnion suggest the following steps for dealing with fraud:

Step 1: Fraud alert

Contact one of the three credit reporting companies to request that a fraud alert be placed on their credit files. Equifax, Experian and TransUnion share this information so consumers only need to contact one company to have an alert placed on their credit files.

Note: Consumers should be aware that adding an alert to their credit file may prevent them from opening an account unless the creditor is able to contact them and positively confirm their identity and that they are applying for credit.

Step 2: Review all three credit reports

Consumers should review their credit files from Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. Look for signs of identity theft such as suspicious inquiries, unfamiliar new accounts and unfamiliar new addresses.

Step 3: File a police report

If a consumer is a victim of fraud or identity theft, he or she should contact their local police department to file an identity theft report. Record the officer’s name and the report number and keep a copy of the identity theft report in a safe place.

Step 4: Complete the Federal Trade Commission’s Universal Fraud Affidavit

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) offers a fraud report form online at http://www.consumer.gov/idtheft. Consumers should complete the fraud affidavit form, sign it and have it notarized, and sent to those companies that opened fraudulent accounts in their name.

Step 5: Notify financial institutions

If consumers find fraudulent activity on their accounts, they should report it to the creditor’s fraud department. Include copies of the police report and the FTC’s Universal Fraud Affidavit with the report. Follow up to ensure all accounts are correctly resolved and keep copies of all communications for future reference.

Step 6: Provide follow-up information to the credit reporting companies

Mail copies of the completed fraud affidavit and identity theft report to the fraud departments at Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. Follow up to ensure all account concerns are correctly resolved and keep copies of all communications for future reference.