eFraud Prevention.com - Creating security minded people

ID Theft - What to do right away

Call the fraud department. Explain that someone stole your identity.
Ask them to close or freeze the accounts. Then, no one can add new charges unless you agree.
Change logins, passwords and PINS for your accounts.

You might have to contact these companies again after you have an Identity Theft Report.

Contact one of the three credit bureaus.

That company must tell the other two. A fraud alert is free and will make it harder for someone to open new accounts in your name. You’ll get a letter from each credit bureau. It will confirm that they placed a fraud alert on your file.

https://www.equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services/
1-888-766-0008
https://www.experian.com/fraud/center.html
1-888-397-3742
https://www.transunion.com/fraud-alerts
1-800-680-7289

Get your free credit report right away.

Go to annualcreditreport.com or call 1-877-322-8228.

Did you already order your free annual reports this year? If so, you can pay to get your report immediately. Or follow the instructions in each fraud alert confirmation letter to get a free report, but it might take longer.

Review your reports. Make note of any account or transaction you don’t recognize. This will help you report the theft to the FTC and the police.

Complete the online form at IdentityTheft.gov or call 1-877-438-4338. Include as many details as possible.

Based on the information you enter, IdentityTheft.gov will create your Identity Theft Report and recovery plan. Your identity theft report proves to businesses that someone stole your identity. It also guarantees you certain rights.

If you create an account, they will walk you through each recovery step, update your plan as needed, track your progress, and pre-fill forms and letters for you.

Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Complaint Assistant
This U.S Government services is designed to streamline the complaint process for every type of fraud. You can file a complaint online, print a copy and get expert advise on what you need to do. Topics cover everything that falls within Rip-offs, Imposter Scams, Mobile Devices, Telephones, Internet Services, Online Shopping, Computers, Education, Jobs, Making Money, Credit, Debt, Robocalls, Unwanted Telemarketing, Text, and SPAM. or call FTC Hotline at 877-701-9595
Watch Video - How to report fraud to the FTC

Go to your local police office with:

a copy of your FTC Identity Theft Affidavit
a government-issued ID with a photo
proof of your address (mortgage statement, rental agreement, or utilities bill)
any other proof you have of the theft (bills, IRS notices, etc.)
FTC's Memo to Law Enforcement

Tell the police someone stole your identity and you need to file a report. If they are reluctant, show them the FTC's Memo to Law Enforcement.
Ask for a copy of the police report. You’ll need this to complete other steps.
Create your Identity Theft Report by combining your FTC Identity Theft Affidavit with your police report.
Your identity theft report proves to businesses that someone stole your identity. It also guarantees you certain rights. Know your rights, click here

ID Theft - What to do next

Now that you have an Identity Theft Report, call the fraud department of each business where an account was opened.

Explain that someone stole your identity.
Ask the business to close the account.
Ask the business to send you a letter confirming that:

the fraudulent account isn’t yours
you aren’t liable for it
it was removed from your credit report
Keep this letter. Use it if the account appears on your credit report later on. The business may require you to send them a copy of your Identity Theft Report or complete a special dispute form. This sample letter can help.

Write down who you contacted and when.

Call the fraud department of each business

Explain that someone stole your identity.
Tell them which charges are fraudulent. Ask the business to remove them.
Ask the business to send you a letter confirming they removed the fraudulent charges.
Keep this letter. Use it if this account appears on your credit report later on.
The business may require you to send them a copy of your Identity Theft Report or complete a special dispute form. This sample letter can help.

Write down who you contacted and when.

Write to each of the three credit bureaus.

This sample letter can help.

Include a copy of your Identity Theft Report and proof of your identity, like your name, address, and Social Security number.
Explain which information on your report came from identity theft.
Ask them to block that information.

Equifax.com
P.O. Box 105069
Atlanta, GA 30348-5069
1-800-525-6285
Experian.com
P.O. Box 9554
Allen, TX 75013
1-888-397-3742
TransUnion.com
Fraud Victim Assistance Department
P.O. Box 2000
Chester, PA 19022-2000
1-800-680-7289

If someone steals your identity, you have the right to remove fraudulent information from your credit report. This is called blocking. Once the information is blocked, it won’t show up on your credit report, and companies can’t try to collect the debt from you. If you have an Identity Theft Report, credit bureaus must honor your request to block this information.

If you don’t have an Identity Theft Report, you still can dispute incorrect information in your credit file. It can take longer, and there’s no guarantee that the credit bureaus will remove the information.

Extended fraud alerts and credit freezes can help prevent further misuse of your personal information. There are important differences. This chart can help you decide which might be right for you.

Extended Fraud Alert	Credit Freeze
Lets you have access to your credit report as long as companies take steps to verify your identity	Stops all access to your credit report unless you lift or remove it
Free to place and remove if someone stole your identity. Guaranteed by federal law.	Cost and availability depend on your state law (link is external). There might be a small fee for placing, lifting and removing.
Lasts for 7 years	Lasts until you lift or remove
Set it by contacting each of the three credit bureaus: Report that someone stole your identity. Request an extended fraud alert. Complete any necessary forms and send a copy of your Identity Theft Report.	Set it by contacting each of the 3 credit bureaus. Report that someone stole your identity. Ask the company to put a freeze on your credit file. Pay the fee required by state law
For fraud alerts: Equifax P.O. Box 105069 Atlanta, GA 30348-5069 1-800-525-6285 Experian P.O. Box 9554 Allen, TX 75013 1-888-397-3742 TransUnion Fraud Victim Assistance Department P.O. Box 2000 Chester, PA 19022-2000 1-800-680-7289	For credit freezes: Equifax P.O. Box 105069 Atlanta, GA 30348-5069 1-800-525-6285 Experian P.O. Box 9554 Allen, TX 75013 1-888-397-3742 TransUnion Fraud Victim Assistance Department P.O. Box 2000 Chester, PA 19022-2000 1-800-680-7289

If you get an IRS notice in the mail, call the IRS right away.
Complete IRS Form 14039, Identity Theft Affidavit . Mail or fax the form according to the instructions. Include proof of your identity, like a copy of your Social Security card, driver’s license or passport.	Did the notice say you were paid by an employer you don't know? Send a letter to the employer explaining that someone stole your identity, and that you don’t work for the employer.
File your tax return, and pay any taxes you owe.	You might have to mail paper tax returns.
Write down who you contacted and when. Keep copies of any letters you send.	If these steps don’t resolve your situation, contact the IRS’s Identity Protection Unit at 1-800-908-4490.