Who here has tips for SMs or has had their identity stolen? And what are some techniques for repairing credit afterwards?

I protected myself by signing up for the free monitoring service from Uncle Sam when the great and powerful OPM hack happened.

Prevention is the best cure for any ailment though.
USAA has an excellent fraud detection unit and policies designed to benefit the customer. Check with your bank to see what they offer in the form of protection or how they handle claims.

Also, only use ATMs from bank branches (the ones at the bank or bank drive thru), never one at a convenience store or that looks like a mini slot machine or one that can be carted off. Skimmers can be planted in one of the small ones as 7-11 doesn't own them and could care less if someone was messing with one.

If you are not buying a house or car in the next 60 days, the best advise anyone can heed is FREEZE your credit. That keeps any new accounts from being opened. It does not affect your current lines of credit, and can be undone within about 72 hours. This is game over for the identity thieves. In most states, if you have been a breach victim, it may be free. if not, each of the three credit bureaus charge $5 -10 to do this, you need to do all three

Well, I took my credit score from 550 to 700. here is how I did it.

1. Check your credit score
2. All medical bills are %100 wrong (Told to me by Medical Billing company out of Georgia and damn if Renee, wasn't right).
3. Put a fraud alert on all and I mean ALL your accounts. (they have to call you before anything new goes on your credit or anything is opened by Federal law).( Don't believe me, look it up).
https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0275-place-fraud-alert
4. RESEARCH, RESEARCH, RESEARCH, become your own lawyer. (YES YOU CAN).
http://www.wikihow.com/Be-Your-Own-Lawyer-in-Court
5. Trust no one when it comes to credit lines, except your Knowledge, Research and Intelligence.
6. SUCCEED !!!

This message brought to you by, how to Win your own Battles and be a Lifelong Leader for Others to Follow in your Footsteps...

Integrity Bresch, when we lead people, "SUCCEED" !!!