If you are a victim of identity theft, you need to take steps immediately to control the damage.
Here's what to do:
- Review your credit reports and make note of the fraudulent accounts. Get them free at http://annualcreditreport.com.
- Contact the Fraud Department of the three credit bureaus and report it.
- Place a Fraud Alert on your credit files. With a fraud alert, new creditors are asked to call you prior to opening a new account or changing one.
- File a complaint with the FTC - 1-877-IDTHEFT (or 1-877-438-4338) or online at https://rn.ftc.gov/pls/dod/widtpubl$.startup?Z_ORG_CODE=PU03
- Print out the online FTC Complaint Report and include it with your police report.
- File a Police Report with your local police department. Ask them if you can file the report in person. If you cannot, ask if you can file a report over the Internet or telephone.
- Print out the FTC's Police Report Cover Letter and include it with your police report.
- Get a copy of your Police Report that includes the FTC Complaint Report you provided.
- Contact the fraud department at each of your creditors and report the incident. Call each creditor even if the account you have with them hasn't been tampered with.
- Close any accounts that were compromised.
- Send a copy of your Police Report to each of your creditors.
- Contact your bank and report the theft to them.
- If your passport was stolen, contact your local Department of State field office.
- Verify your earnings with the Social Security Administration - 1-800-772-1213 or http://www.ssa.gov.
- Keep detailed records on all calls, correspondence. Include names of people you spoke to, dates, times and what they said.
