What to do if you are the Victim of Identity Theft
If a thief has used your personal information such as your name, social security number, date of birth, address and / or identifying information to commit fraud such as opening a credit card, obtaining a loan, gaining access to your established financial accounts, obtain cell phone service or committing a crime, take the following 4 steps as soon as possible. Keep written records of everything you do and everyone you talk to:
1. Place a fraud alert on your credit report, and review credit reports. Fraud alerts can help prevent an identity thief from opening any more accounts in your name. Contact the toll-free fraud number of any of the three credit bureaus below to place a fraud alert on your credit report. You only need to contact one of the three credit bureaus to place on all three, as they are required to report alerts to each other.
- Equifax: 1-800-525-6285 www.equifax.com PO Box 740241, Atlanta, GA 30374-0241
- Experian: 1-888-397-3742 www.experian.com PO Box 9532, Allen, TV 75013
- TransUnion: 1-800-680-7289 www.transunion.com Fraud Victim Assistance Division PO Box 6790, Fullerton, VA 92834-6790
What is a fraud alert?
There are two types of fraud alerts: an initial alert, and an extended alert.
- An initial alert stays on your credit report for 90 days. You may ask that an initial fraud alert be placed on your credit report if you suspect you have been, or are about to be, a victim of identity theft.
- An extended alert stays on your credit report for seven years. You can have an extended alert placed on your credit report if you've been a victim of identity theft and you provide the credit bureau with an "identity theft report." (see below) When a business sees the alert on your credit report, they must verify your identity before issuing the new credit. Remember to keep all contact information in your alerts current so that you can be reached for verification.
What is an identity theft report?
An identity theft report may have two parts:
- Part One is a copy of a report filed with a local, state, or federal law enforcement agency, like your local police department, your State Attorney General, the FBI, the U.S. Secret Service, the FTC, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.
- Part Two of an identity theft report depends on the policies of the business that sent the information to the credit bureau. They might require you to fill out paperwork with them such as an affidavit of fraud
2. Close the accounts that you know, or believe, have been tampered with or opened fraudulently.
Call and speak with someone in the security or fraud department of each company. Follow up in writing, and include copies (NOT originals) of supporting documents. It's important to notify credit card companies and financial institutions in writing. Send your letters by certified mail, return receipt requested, so you can document what the company received and when. Keep a file of your correspondence and enclosures.
3. File a report with your local police or the police in the community where the identity theft took place.
Then, get a copy of the police report or at the very least, the number of the report. It can help you deal with creditors who need proof of the crime.
4. File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission.
By sharing your identity theft complaint with the FTC, you will provide important information that can help law enforcement officials across the nation track down identity thieves and stop them. The FTC can refer victims' complaints to other government agencies and companies for further action, as well as investigate companies for violations of laws the agency enforces.
You can file a complaint with the FTC using the online complaint form found on their website - https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/ or call the FTC's Identity Theft Hotline, toll-free: 1-877-ID-THEFT (438-4338); TTY: 1-866-653-4261; or write Identity Theft Clearinghouse, Federal Trade Commission, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20580.