What Should I do if I Become a Victim of Identity Theft
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What to Do if You Become a Victim of Identity Theft
Identity theft can happen to anyone, and it occurs when someone steals your personal information to commit fraud or other crimes. Fortunately, there are effective steps you can take to protect yourself and minimize damage if you become a victim.
Key Actions to Take
1. Contact the Credit Bureaus
Fraud Alert**: Immediately contact one of the three major credit bureaus?"Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion?"and request a fraud alert on your credit report. This alert will then be shared with the other bureaus, ensuring creditors must verify your identity before proceeding with new accounts or changes.
Review Credit Reports**: Obtain and carefully review your free credit reports from each bureau. Check for unauthorized accounts or charges and ensure your personal details are correct. Report any inaccuracies by phone and follow up with a certified letter to the bureaus for documentation purposes.
2. Notify Affected Creditors
Fraud Departments**: Contact the fraud departments of any creditors where accounts have been altered or opened without your consent. This includes banks, credit card companies, utilities, and other service providers. Initially contact them by phone, followed by a detailed letter.
Dispute Charges**: Use the FTC's ID Theft Affidavit available at [www.ftc.gov](http://www.ftc.gov) to dispute unauthorized accounts. For existing account discrepancies, request fraud dispute forms from the companies involved.
Check Fraud Protection**: If checks are involved, close the affected account immediately. Inform your bank and contact check verification services to prevent fraudulent checks from being accepted. Useful contacts include TeleCheck, Certegy, Inc., and International Check Services.
3. File a Police Report
Filing a police report is crucial as it serves as official documentation of the crime, which can be used for verification with creditors. Many victims neglect this step, so make sure you obtain a copy for your records.
4. Report to the FTC
FTC Complaint**: Reporting the theft to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) helps law enforcement track and apprehend identity thieves. Contact the FTC via their Identity Theft Hotline at 1-877-IDTHEFT (438-4338), write to them, or visit [www.consumer.gov/idtheft](http://www.consumer.gov/idtheft).
5. Assess Credit Damage
If identity theft negatively impacts your credit score, affecting your ability to secure loans or jobs, consider evaluating your financial losses. A process called Credit Damage Measurement can help determine these losses and potentially secure compensation.
Ongoing Vigilance
These steps can help resolve credit issues arising from identity theft; however, continuous monitoring is essential. Regularly review your credit report and report any discrepancies immediately, both by phone and in writing. With diligence and patience, you can rebuild your financial reputation.
Contact Information for Credit Bureaus
- Equifax: Call 1-800-525-6285, write P.O. Box 740241, Atlanta, GA 30374-0241, or visit [www.equifax.com](http://www.equifax.com).
- Experian: Call 1-888-EXPERIAN (397-3742), write P.O. Box 9532, Allen, TX 75013, or visit [www.experian.com](http://www.experian.com).
- TransUnion: Call 1-800-680-7289, write Fraud Victim Assistance Division, P.O. Box 6790, Fullerton, CA 92834-6790, or visit [www.transunion.com](http://www.transunion.com).
Stay proactive to protect your identity, and visit [http://www.apscreen.com](http://www.apscreen.com) for more resources.
You can find the original non-AI version of this article here: What Should I do if I Become a Victim of Identity Theft.
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