How to Report Suspected Identity Theft

Approximately 9 million people in the United States become victims of identity theft every year. Identity theft occurs when someone else uses your identification information, such as your driver's license, Social Security number or credit card, without your permission to obtain services or purchase items. Many times, identity theft victims are unaware of the theft until they review their credit reports or receive telephone calls from debt collectors. If you suspect identity theft, be proactive in reporting it to all appropriate agencies.

Instructions

1. Report any known theft of your wallet, paperwork or other tangible item to the local police or sheriff's department, and request a copy of the identity theft police report.

2. Contact one of the three credit bureaus to get a fraud alert and security freeze placed on your credit reports, and request copies of your credit reports from all three bureaus at: TransUnion, Fraud Victim Assistance Division, P.O. Box 6790, Fullerton, CA 92834-6790, 1-800-680-7289; Equifax, P.O. Box 740241, Atlanta, GA 30374, 1-888-766-0008; and Experian, P.O. Box 9532, Allen, TX 75013, 1-888-397-3742. Links to these agencies are in the sections below.

3. Review your credit reports carefully, and advise the credit bureaus of any unknown accounts or existing accounts that have been tampered with. Also tell the companies for those accounts that your identity has been stolen, and you are not responsible for the charges. Provide them with a copy of the police's identity theft report and follow their instructions, which may include canceling accounts, opening new ones and filing fraud affidavits.

4. Report your suspected identity theft to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) by contacting: Identity Theft Clearinghouse, Federal Trade Commission, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20580, 1-877-438-4338, and available online at the link below. The FTC and law enforcement agencies share information to help track down identity thieves nationwide.

5. Advise your bank if your checks have been stolen or accounts have been opened fraudulently in your name. Request the bank report it to ChexSystems which is an agency that keeps records on checking accounts. Close any affected accounts and open new ones.

6. Request a new Social Security card, if yours has been stolen, by contacting the Social Security Fraud Hotline, P.O. Box 17768, Baltimore, MD 21235, 1-800-269-0271, or online at the link below.

7. Advise the U.S. Department of State of your identity theft so they can check whether anyone has fraudulently ordered a passport in your name, or whether anyone has used your passport, if stolen. Their contact information is: U.S. Dept. of State, Passport Services, Consular Lost/Stolen Passport Section, 1111 19th St. NW, Suite 500, Washington, DC 20036, or on the State Department website.

8. Contact your local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) if someone is using your driver's license to cash stolen checks or obtain credit. The DMV can advise you whether another license has been issued in your name, and can issue a new license to you.

Tips & Warnings

• Check your credit reports intermittently for fraud for a year after your suspected identity theft. Document all reports, telephone calls and correspondence relating to your suspected identity theft. The FTC offers a uniform fraud affidavit form that fulfills many companies' requirements for a fraud affidavit on its website.

References

• www.privacyrights.org
• Equifax
• Social Security Administration

Resources

• FTC.gov
• FTC Complaint Assistant
• President's Identity Theft Task Force
• Transunion