What to do if you've been scammed

No matter how prepared you are, sometimes something falls through the cracks. It might start with an inconspicuous charge on your credit card or phone bill. And then, the unthinkable… you realize you’ve been scammed. 

Here are some key steps to follow if you’ve been scammed:

• Contact the police. File a report with your local police department.

• Get a copy of the police report. You may need the documentation to support your claims to credit bureaus, creditors, debt collectors or other companies.

• Close your accounts. If you notice any accounts under your name that has been tampered with or opened without consent, close them immediately. Call each bank or company and then follow-up in writing. If there are fraudulent charges or debts on the account or if a new account has been opened, immediately file a fraud report with the bank's fraud department.

• Change all passwords and PIN numbers: If you choose to open a new bank account, be sure to change your personal identification numbers (PIN) and passwords. Be sure to update passwords for your online banking information, email, and any other personal accounts.

• File a federal complaint. The Federal Trade Commission, in conjunction with the FBI, maintains an Identity Theft Data Clearinghouse. The FTC aids identity theft investigations by collecting complaints from victims and sharing the information with law enforcement agencies, credit bureaus, companies where the fraud took place, and other government agencies.

• Initiate a fraud alert. The next step is to place a fraud alert on your credit file as well as review the credit report. This will prevent a thief from opening any more accounts in your name. You should contact the major credit bureaus. If you place a fraud alert with one credit bureau, that credit bureau is required by law to contact the other bureaus. The other bureaus will include the fraud alert in their reports. However, to ensure that the alert is included in the credit file as quickly as possible, you should contact all credit bureaus immediately.

• Follow-up. After a fraud alert is included in the credit history, you are entitled to receive a free copy of your credit report from each of the credit bureaus. Request a copy and review reports for unopened accounts, unfamiliar debts on the account, inquiries from companies you don't know and inaccurate information.

For more information, visit the FBI website. The important thing for you to remember is that you're not alone. It's unfortunate, but scamming has become commonplace, and there's no reason to be embarrassed.

Talk to a trusted family member or your MediNurse caregiver if you suspect suspicious behavior. MediNurse is considered the most selective agency in this area. Our staff must undergo a stringent screening process both prior to being employed and annually for the duration of their employment.

For more information, contact us at 314.781.2800 or visit www.medinurse.com.