Identity theft is occurring more and more frequently. It can cause major problems for you if you are a victim of it. One way it can affect you is by ruining your ChexSystems report. Here’s an example. What if someone got hold of your personal information, including your name, address, and possibly your social security number, and then opened (or tried to open) a bank account using your name? And then, what if that person bounced several checks on that account? Here’s what would happen—you would wind up on the ChexSystems list. Even worse, you could have your current bank account closed on you. Sound too scary to be true? Well, unfortunately, it’s true. It could happen to you. Here’s what to do if it does happen to you.
First, you need to order a copy of your ChexSystems report to find out exactly what is fraudulent in it. Once you’ve identified the potentially fraudulent items, you need to immediately:
Here’s an example of what to send (please be sure to include the attachments listed at the bottom of the letter):
Date:
(ChexSystems Address)
Dear ChexSystems:
My name is: ____________________________________
I have been a victim of an imposter attempting to open bank accounts or otherwise cause fraudulent inquiries to be made to my ChexSystems report. I require you to remove these inquiries from my ChexSystems report as outlined in the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act, Sec. 152. I am enclosing a copy of my police report to support my statement.
My former name was (if applies): ___________________________________
My current address is: ____________________________________________
My address has changed in the past 5 yrs. My former address was:
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
My Social Security Number is: _______________________
My date of birth is: __________________________
A phone number I can be reached at is _______________________________
The following are the inquiries that I require you to remove from my ChexSystems report.
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
Attached is the required documentation. [documents vary according to state and agency]
* A copy of my Driver’s License / State ID [circle one]
* Proof of my address: a bill / a bank statement / a pay stub [circle one]
* A copy of my social security card
* A copy of my police report
Please send me a copy of my updated ChexSystems consumer report once the items have been removed.
Regards,
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