My Discover card number was stolen and some stuff charged. Discover caught it and the card has been cancelled.
I have been issued credit for the fraudulent charges.
I received a letter from AOL for "outstanding balances" and contacted them.

What else should I do to insure this crap doesn't start showing up on my credit report?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
BigDozer66

Are you *sure* that only your one credit card number was stolen and not you other information, such as SSN, DOB, etc.

You may soon be the victim of identity theft.

My advice: ask this same question on creditboards.com.

Notify your local PD.

You could then notify the three credit reporting agencies, citing the police report by number.

Good luck, you might need it.

Look at the charges.... see the type and where they were from.

That will tell you what kind of tactic was used with your number. That will also guide you as for what needs to be done.

If they used a current card, it is very unlikely it is an ID theft case. In an ID theft they prefer to get several new cards and not use your old ones.

Excellent advice to remember.  I get so tired of tv reporters stating someone is a victim of ID theft, when someone just used their current credit card number.  True ID theft is when someone attempts to receive NEW credit in your name without your authorization.

A few pieces of advice from someone who has significant experience investigating ID theft:

1)  Only use your debit card at businesses where it is NOT handed over to a person, such as at the gas pump or Target.  SOOOOOOO many times I have discovered that waiters write down the credit card number and security code on the back of the card and sell or use the number to order stuff.  Since it is a debit card, your funds could be depleted VERY quickly and it may take the bank days or even WEEKS (sometimes MONTHS) to get the money back in your account.  The federal law covering the maximum amount you are responsible for does not cover DEBIT, only credit cards.  However most banks now have "zero" liablility protection.  But that doesn't matter if you find out someone wiped out your acount on a Friday, right before you leave on a family vacation, and the bank won't put the funds back in for a week...

2) NEVER write a check to someone you dont know.  With just the account and routing numbers on the bottom of your check, a criminal can wipe out your account.  When this happens, some banks make YOU do all the leg work to get your money back.  I know some people who have never gotten their money back.  It becomes a cat and mouse game of trying to get the bank to put the funds back or the busines that took the funds out, each claiming it is the others responsibility.

3) Check ALL three credit reports (Experian, Equifax, Trans Union) once a year for FREE.  Do not go to "freecreditreport.com"  It is NOT free and is a service that charges you.  Go to annualcreditreport.com.  It is run by the credit reporting agencies and is 100% free!  Look not only for open accounts you don't recognize, but also at people who have looked at your credit, called queries.  If lets say a cell phone company you have never done business with checked your credit, call them ASAP and find out why.  Also make sure all of your information (home address and phone number) is correct.  You want it to be easy for a cuurent or future creditor to get ahold of the REAL you.  Also if there are any addresses listed on your credit reports that are not yours, request that they be removed.

4) Stop 99% of the pre-approved "criminals wet dreams" credit card offers from flooding your mailbox.  You can do this by calling 1-888-5-OPTOUT (1-888-567-8688).  It should greatly reduce these offers.

5) Opt out of junk mail through the DMA (Direct Marketing Association).  Yes, it costs $1, but is worth it: https://www.dmaconsumers.org/cgi/offmailing

6)  MOST important.  Do NOT EVER carry your social security card or give out that number unless required by law.  Just like the form 4473, where it is optional.  Lets say you bought a gun at Wal-Mart and placed your ss number on there.  ANYONE who works in the store literally could check out the form and have all of your personal information.  Many forms from private busniesses ask for it, but I always leave it blank.  Some places such as hospitals, demand it, but many states such as California have laws which state they can not demand it.  I have had to call a few businesses on the carpet when they acted like they knew the law.

These are a few basic steps.  I could go on, but this e-mail would be like a book....

Very good advice and some of it I knew and some I had no idea about.

Thanks and I will get right on it.

BigDozer66