Credit Bureaus & Identity Theft

Credit Bureaus.

TransUnion
PO Box 1370, Buffalo, New York 14213
Fraud Victim Assistance: 800.680.7289
Consumer Relations: 800.916.8800

Equifax
PO Box 740256, Atlanta, Georgia 30374
Information Service Centers Fraud Systems Department: 800.525.6285
Credit File Ordering System: 800.685.1111

Experian
PO box 9530, Allen, Texas 75013
888.397.3742

FREE Credit Report.

You are entitled to one free credit report a year from each of the three major credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax, Transunion); the free credit report does not include a credit score.

Consumer Advisory on Credit Reports released by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)

Identity Theft.

If you are a victim of identity theft:

Contact the police to file a report
Inform Buffalo Metropolitan to close saving and checking accounts
Document your actions, such as the time and money you spend on straightening out identity theft
Contact the credit bureaus and have them flag the accounts with a fraud alert
Contact any credit card companies
Keep copies of documents and make note of all telephone calls; include the date and time of your call and the name and title of the person who assisted you
Contact the Government Authorities- Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at 877.438.4338, Social Security Fraud Hot line at 800.269.0271, and US Postal Inspectors at 800.372.8347

To protect against identity theft:

Change your account number from your Social Security Number to a random number
Do not give out personal information (Social Security Number, checking account number or ATM/debit/credit card number) unless you initiate the call
Contact the Buffalo Metropolitan in the event that your wallet or purse was lost or stolen
Always shred any personal information or pre-approved credit card mailings
Do not write your PIN down and avoid use a combination of letters and numbers for passwords
Obtain at least one credit report annually

Prevent any institution from inquiring at any credit bureau for pre-approved credit cards: Dial 888.567.8688 (Opt Out Line) and choose permanent.

Remove your name from National Direct Mail List: Send your name and address to DMA Mail Preference Service, PO Box 9008, Farmingdale, NY 11735-9008.

Reduce Telephone Solicitation: Send your name, address, and telephone number to DMA Telephone Preference Service, PO Box 9014, Farmingdale, NY 11735-9014