ID Theft Alert
If you are a victim of identity theft
If you find evidence of identity theft on your credit
reports AND have verified the fraudulent activities with the financial institutions, take the following steps:
- Immediately close the accounts that you believe have been
opened fraudulently or have unauthorized activity.
- File a police report by calling 9-1-1, and get a copy of the report to submit to creditors
and others that may require proof of a crime.
- Contact any one of the credit bureaus to place a "fraud alert" on your credit report.
See Placing a Fraud Alert
for specific details.
- File a complaint with the FTC online at http://www.consumer.gov/idtheft/
or by calling 877-438-4338.
- If you discover misuse of your Social Security number, call
the Social Security Fraud Hotline, 800-269-0271.
- Keep a record of all communications with credit bureaus,
creditors, financial institutions, and police, including dates and who
you spoke with.
- The FTC document
Take Charge: Fighting Back Against Identity Theft contains detailed information on
how to deal with and recover from identity theft.
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