Identity Theft Assistance
If you believe that your personal identification information has been used to commit fraud or other crimes, follow the steps below.
For more in-depth information on recovering from identity theft and help with specific problems, read “Take Charge: Fighting Back Against Identity Theft” from the Federal Trade Commission. Or, visit the Federal Trade Commission’s Identity Theft web site.
1. If you have not already done so, place an initial fraud alert on your credit reports.
Call the toll-free fraud number of one of the three consumer reporting companies listed below to place an initial fraud alert on your credit report. You only need to contact one of the three companies to place an alert. The company you call is required to contact the other two, which will place an alert on their versions of your report, too.
Equifax: 1.800.525.6285
Experian: 1.888.397.3742
TransUnion: 1.800.680.7289
Step-by-step instructions on how to do this are included in the Additional Resources section of this web site.
You can have an extended alert placed on your credit report if you've been a victim of identity theft and you provide the consumer reporting company with an identity theft report. An extended alert stays on your credit report for seven years. When you place an extended alert on your credit report, you're entitled to two free credit reports within twelve months from each of the three nationwide consumer reporting companies. In addition, the consumer reporting companies will remove your name from marketing lists for pre-screened credit offers for five years unless you ask them to put your name back on the list before then.
2. Order your free credit report. When you receive it, review it carefully. If you detect any fraudulent information, get it corrected.
After you place an initial fraud alert, you will receive a follow-up letter from each of the three consumer reporting companies. Each letter will explain how you can order a free copy of your credit report from that company.
When you receive your credit report:
- Check your name, address, marital status, Social Security number, and employment information. Make sure this information is accurate.
- Check that each account listed is an account that you established and that there is no suspicious activity on the account. Close any accounts that you no longer use.
- Check the inquiries section of your report. Verify that each inquiry was the result of your activity (e.g. you applied for a mortgage, auto loan or other credit and authorized the lender to request a copy of your credit report; you requested a copy of your credit report).
If you find fraudulent or inaccurate information, get it corrected. To learn how, read “Correcting Fraudulent Information in Credit Reports."
3. File a report with your local police.
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. If the police are reluctant to take your report, ask to file a "Miscellaneous Incidents" report, or try another jurisdiction, like your state police. You also can check with your state Attorney General's office to find out if state law requires the police to take reports for identity theft. Check the Blue Pages of your telephone directory for the phone number or check http://www.naag.org for a list of state Attorneys General.
4. Get organized. Accurate and complete records will help you to resolve your identity theft case more quickly.
- Set up a filing system for easy access to your paperwork.
- Keep a journal to help you remember what occurred.
- Write down the name of everyone you talk to, what he or she tells you, and the date the conversation occurred. Use Chart Your Course of Action to help you.
- Follow up in writing with all contacts you've made on the phone or in person. Use certified mail, return receipt requested, so you can document what the company or organization received and when.
- Keep copies of all correspondence or forms you send.
- Keep the originals of supporting documents, like police reports and letters to and from creditors; send copies only.
- Keep old files even if you believe your case is closed. Once resolved, most cases stay resolved, but problems can crop up
5. Review all financial accounts and billing statements for the past several months. Highlight any unexpected activity or discrepancies.
6. 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 banks 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.
If the identity thief has made charges or debits on your accounts, or on fraudulently opened accounts, ask the company for the forms to dispute those transactions:
- For charges and debits on existing accounts, ask the representative to send you the company's fraud dispute forms. If the company doesn't have special forms, use the sample letter to dispute the fraudulent charges or debits. In either case, write to the company at the address given for "billing inquiries," NOT the address for sending your payments.
- For new unauthorized accounts, ask if the company accepts the ID Theft Affidavit (PDF, 56 KB). If not, ask the representative to send you the company's fraud dispute forms. If the company already has reported these accounts or debts on your credit report, dispute this fraudulent information. See Correcting Fraudulent Information in Credit Reports to learn how.
Once you have resolved your identity theft dispute with the company, ask for a letter stating that the company has closed the disputed accounts and has discharged the fraudulent debts. This letter is your best proof if errors relating to this account reappear on your credit report or you are contacted again about the fraudulent debt.
7. Resolve any other problems you have detected.
8. File an identity theft complaint with the Federal Trade Commission.
9. If you were a victim of an Internet crime, file a complaint with the Internet Crime Complaint Center - a partnership between the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the National White Collar Crime Center.
10. If you are a resident of Ohio, you may also wish to learn about the “Identity Theft Verification Passport Program” sponsored by the Office of the Attorney General.
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