If It Happens To You

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Immediate Steps

• Inform your bank, creditors and financial institutions that you are a victim.
  • Ask them to put “fraud alerts” on accounts that have not been compromised. Advise them not to change your address without your written notification and verification.
  • Establish new passwords on all accounts.
  • Close existing accounts that have been used fraudulently. Ask if the company accepts the Federal Trade Commission’s Identity Theft Affidavit, available at www.consumer.gov/idtheft. If not, ask them to send you a copy of their fraud dispute form, complete it and return it for processing. When opening replacement accounts, use new PINs and passwords.
  • Cancel your ATM/debit card if it has been stolen or compromised. You may be liable for unauthorized charges if fraud is not reported quickly (refer to your ATM/debit card contract). Obtain a new card, account number and PIN.

• Inform the credit reporting agencies that you are a victim of identity theft. Notify each one by phone and letter. To avoid delay, it is strongly recommended that you notify each agency yourself. Ask them to place a “fraud alert” on your credit profile to prevent identity thieves from opening accounts in your name.
  • The Annual Credit Report Request Service is a centralized contact for individuals to request annual credit reports. It was created by the three nationwide consumer credit reporting agencies, Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. Visit the site at www.annualcreditreport.com to request a free annual credit report. You are entitled to a free credit report at any time if you have been denied credit, are a victim of identity theft, receive welfare benefits or are unemployed but expect to apply for employment in the next 60 days.

• Contact the Federal Trade Commission to report the theft and file a complaint. Your information will be included in a database of identity theft cases that, among other things, aids law enforcement agencies’ investigations.

• Notify your employer if you suspect that your payroll and retirement records have been compromised.

• Notify the post office if you suspect that your mail has been stolen, that an identity thief has filed a change of your address with the post office or that a thief has used the mail to commit fraud.

• Contact the Social Security Administration if your Social Security card is lost or your Social Security number has been misused or stolen.

• Notify check verification companies if your checks have been stolen. Ask them to notify their retail partners. Cancel your existing account and request a new account.

• Contact your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles office if your driver’s license has been stolen or to see if another license has been issued in your name.

See Reporting Fraud and Recording Your Actions To Report Fraud for more information.

Resolving Your Case

• Learn about federal and state laws, the roles of law enforcement and the federal trade commission’s role in investigating and resolving identity theft at www.consumer.gov/idtheft. ake time
• Take time to understand your rights as a consumer and as a victim of identity theft.
• Keep a log of all conversations — including dates, names and phone numbers — as you deal with legal authorities, financial institutions and credit reporting agencies. You may use the charts provided in the “Reporting Fraud” section.
• Follow up in writing with all contacts you have made over the phone or in person.
• Use certified mail or delivery services where a signature is required for all correspondence regarding your case. Request a return receipt.
• Record the amount of time and out-of-pocket expenses you spend resolving the problem.
• Keep all files, including old ones, even after your case is closed. If identity theft-related errors appear on your credit reports at a future date, you may need your records to dispute them.
• To ensure you are not held liable for fraudulent activity in your name, you should consider the following.
  • Do not pay any bills that are not yours.
  • Do not accept financial responsibility for any checks written or cashed fraudulently.
  • Do not file for bankruptcy. Your credit rating should not be permanently affected and no legal action should be taken against you.