In the past few months, the IRS has admitted to a major breach into taxpayer records. This breach was not a hacking operation. The thieves had valid names, addresses, Social Security Numbers and more. They used this information to get by the security measures in place on the IRS website. The IRS believes these crooks will use the stolen information to file fake tax returns in early 2016. So what should you do? Actively monitor your credit reports. Free Annual Credit Report

The good news is that each of the major consumer credit reporting agencies is required by law to provide you with a free report once a year. A web site has been set up specifically for this purpose. Here is the information to select your free report from the three major credit reporting agencies; Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion.

Telephone:	1.877.322.8228
Web site:	www.AnnualCreditReport.com
Via mail:	(fill out the online form and mail it to the following address) Annual Credit Report Request Service PO Box 105281 Atlanta, GA 30348-5281

Listed here are the three major credit agencies and how to contact them directly.

	TransUnion Telephone: 1.800.888.4213 Web site: www.transunion.com Via mail: 2 Baldwin Place PO Box 2000 Chester, PA 19022
	Equifax Telephone: 1.800.685.1111 Web site: www.equifax.com/CreditReportAssistance/ Via mail: Equifax Credit Information Service P.O. Box 740241 Atlanta, GA 30374-0241
	Experian Telephone: 1.888.EXPERIAN (397-3742) Web site: www.experian.com Via mail: P.O. Box 9532 Allen, TX 75013

If you find problems or think your identity has been compromised work through the credit bureau’s process to correct the error. Also place fraud alerts on your credit agency account should you be subject to any kind of identity fraud.