How to Overcome Identity Theft
According to The Privacy Rights Clearinghouse, identity theft victims number between 500,000 and 700,000 each year. Moreover, the Medical College of Georgia states that up to 14 months pass before victims ever realize the crime has occurred. Overcoming identity theft can be challenging because it affects so many facets of your life, from your finances to your verifiable identity. However, you can take steps, both to prevent and to resolve identity theft.
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Instructions
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Pursue the appropriate legal avenues to resolve the crime. File a police report so that you have an official record that the identity theft occurred and so that police can investigate and try to nab the person that stole your identity. This is an importan step that far too many people forgo because of shame, embarrassment or a lack of confidence that the crook will be caught. However, it is one of the most important steps in overcoming identity theft.
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Forward a copy of the police report to all three credit bureaus and your bank. This puts them on alert and makes them more willing to work with you should any fraudulent charges show up on your credit report or if the thief attempts to access your bank account. Include a letter explaining what happened and ask the credit bureaus to flag your credit report, so that it is clear you've been a victim of identity theft.
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Keep a copy of the police report and all correspondence from your financial institution and the credit bureau about the identity theft. You may need to provide proof that the crime occurred if you are trying to get a new job or open a new line of credit. Generally, if you have evidence that you were an identity theft victim, any fraudulent financial activity won't be held against you.
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Develop better security habits. Don't use your debit card or enter sensitive financial information in a public forum or around other people. Change computer passwords often and make sure they are not common names or facts about you. Check your credit report at least once a year and enroll in online banking so you can keep close tabs on your financial accounts. Don't carry your social security card around in your wallet and never give it out to anyone unless you are specifically signing up for a service that has a guaranteed security protocol. And before you dispose of anything with your financial information on it, shred it so that identity thieves cannot use it.
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