What to do if you think you've been a victim of Identity Theft
Call the companies where you know the fraud occurred.
- Call the fraud department and explain that someone has stolen your identity. Ask them to close or freeze the accounts. Then, no one can add new charges unless you agree.
- Change logins, passwords, and PINs for your accounts.
Place a fraud alert and get your credit reports.
To place a fraud alert, contact one of the three credit bureaus listed below. That company must tell the other two. A fraud alert is free and it will make it harder for someone to open new accounts in your name.
To get your free credit report from Equifax, Experian and TransUnion go
to:
www.annualcreditreport.com or call 1-877-322-8228
Credit bureaus must provide free copies of credit reports to victims of identity theft. Review your reports. Make note of any account or transaction you don’t recognize. This will help you report the theft to the FTC and the police.
Report the Identity Theft to the FTC
- Go to IdentityTheft.gov or call 1-877-438-4338. Make sure to include as many details as possible.
- Based on the information you enter, IdentityTheft.gov will create your Identity Theft Report and personal recovery plan.
You may also want to order new credit or debit cards for any accounts involved in the theft. Or, you may want to close the accounts altogether.
For more information on what to do next visit the Federal Trade Commission’s identity theft center, or call the identity theft hotline at 877-438-4338.