What to Do If You Are a Victim of Identity TheftIdentity theft can damage your credit, drain your finances, and create long-term problems if not addressed quickly. Here’s a step-by-step guide to protect yourself and your credit:
1. Act Quickly
2. Place a Fraud Alert
3. Order Your Credit Reports
4. Report Fraudulent Accounts
5. File an Identity Theft Report
6. Dispute Inaccurate Items on Your Credit Report
7. Consider a Credit Freeze
8. Monitor Your Credit Ongoing
How We Can Help
1. Act Quickly
- As soon as you suspect identity theft, take immediate action
- Time is critical to stop further fraudulent activity
2. Place a Fraud Alert
- Contact one of the three major credit bureaus (Equifax®, Experian®, TransUnion®)
- A fraud alert signals lenders to verify identity before opening new accounts
- Alerts last 90 days and are free
3. Order Your Credit Reports
- Request free reports from AnnualCreditReport.com
- Review carefully for unauthorized accounts or inquiries
- Look for errors caused by fraud
4. Report Fraudulent Accounts
- Contact the creditor or lender of each fraudulent account
- Ask for the account to be closed or flagged as unauthorized
- Keep detailed records of all communications
5. File an Identity Theft Report
- File a report with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at IdentityTheft.gov
- Consider filing a police report with your local law enforcement
- The report helps support disputes and protects your legal rights
6. Dispute Inaccurate Items on Your Credit Report
- Work with credit bureaus to dispute accounts and inquiries that are not yours
- Provide documentation from the FTC report, creditors, or police reports
- Follow up to ensure corrections are made under FCRA guidelines
7. Consider a Credit Freeze
- A credit freeze prevents lenders from opening new accounts in your name
- Freezes are free and can be lifted when needed
8. Monitor Your Credit Ongoing
- Continue checking credit reports regularly
- Watch for new accounts, inquiries, or changes in scores
- Consider identity theft protection or credit monitoring services
How We Can Help
- Identify fraud-related items on your credit reports
- Prepare and submit professional disputes under FCRA guidelines
- Provide guidance to restore your credit while protecting your consumer rights