What to do if you are an Identity Theft Victim

If you are the victim of identity theft, you must go on the offensive. 

Document everything and keep original papers.  Send copies only.  Make notes of all conversations:  who did you speak to, when did you speak to them and what was the result of the conversation. 

Follow up in writing, and include copies of supporting documents. It’s important to notify credit card companies and banks in writing.

Send your letters by certified mail, return receipt requested, so you can document what the company received and when. Keep a file of your correspondence and enclosures.

Take the following identity theft prevention actions immediately. 

1)  Contact one of the three major credit reporting agencies. 

Let them know you are an identity theft victim and they will place a fraud alert. You only need to call one bureau.  They are required to contact the other two. Your SSN will be flagged for 90 days to prevent a thief from trying to obtain new credit with your identification.

If you are certain that your identity has been stolen you can request an extended fraud alert. The extended fraud alert will remain on your report for seven years and will require you to submit an identity theft police report.

The three credit reporting bureaus are:

• Equifax
  P.O. Box 740241
  Atlanta, GA 30374-0241
  www.equifax.com
  1-800-525-6285
  
• TransUnion
  Fraud Victim Assistance Division
  P.O. Box 6790
  Fullerton, CA 92834-6790
  www.transunion.com
  1-800-680-7289
   
• Experian
  P.O. Box 9532
  Allen, TX 75013
  www.experian.com
  1-888-397-3742

You will be asked for your SSN and other identifying information through an automated service. The alert will be passed on to the other two bureaus and all three credit bureaus will send you a letter to confirm the fraud alert is in place. You will also be given directions for obtaining your credit report for free from each of the bureaus.

The credit reports will have a telephone number listed on them if you need to contact the bureaus about fraudulent activity listed on the reports.

2) Get Copies of Your Credit Reports (all 3 of them).

Send for your credit reports following the instructions from the credit bureaus.

Review the reports carefully.

Look for inquiries from companies you haven’t contacted, accounts you didn’t open, and debts on your accounts that you can’t explain. Also check your personal information; SSN, address, name, initials and employer information.

Order your credit report at least every three months for the first year of the fraud. Some areas provide a free report every 12 months. Other areas will give you several free reports for the year you report an identity theft. Some will charge for each report. Tell them you are an identity theft victim and ask for a free report.

3) Complete an Identity Theft Affidavit

In order to remove the debts created by the identity thief, you will need to send an affidavit to the company or creditor holding the debt. When you contact them to close the accounts ask what forms they require. The affidavit permits them to investigate the claim – it does not ensure that the debt will be cleared.

While each business may have its own requirements you can also obtain a free affidavit form at: http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/credit/affidavit.pdf. Ask the business if they will accept this form or need you to fill out one of theirs.

Send the copies of the affidavit and supporting documents to the businesses (a separate form should be created for each account or institution responsible for providing the identity thief with credit). Do not send original bank or card statements. Blackout any information on the statements not related to the account.

Send a copy of each affidavit and the police report to the credit bureaus. Write a letter requesting the information you declared was a result of theft be blocked or removed from your credit report.

4) Close Suspicious Accounts

For NEW Accounts created by the thief: Call the creditors and ask their security or fraud department to send you the company’s fraud dispute forms or if they will accept an identity theft affidavit.  Tell them you are an identity theft victim and ask them to close the accounts and report the closing to the credit bureau. If the account has already been used by the thief ask them not to hold you responsible for the debt.  Remember to document the conversation: who , when, and results.

For EXISTING Accounts used fraudulently by a thief: Close the accounts and ask the creditors to report the closing to the credit bureaus. Request that they declare the account “closed at consumer’s request”.  If you open a new account don’t use personal information like your mother’s maiden name or your SSN for a password. If those are the only options request to use a different password.  Remember to document the conversation: who , when, and results.

Once you have resolved your identity theft dispute with the company, ask for a letter stating that the company has closed the disputed accounts and has discharged the fraudulent debts. This letter is your best proof if errors relating to this account reappear on your credit report or you are contacted again about the fraudulent debt.

5) File a Police Report

Get a copy of the police report or at the very least, the number of the report. It can help you deal with creditors who need proof of the crime.  Keep records of the fraudulent activity as proof for your report. Blackout unrelated activity and give copies to the police. Give them any new evidence as it turns up and keep a copy of the report as proof for creditors and the credit bureaus.

6) Alert Government Agencies

If your driver’s license or other government ID has been stolen report it to the proper agency to cancel it and order a replacement. Ask that your information be flagged so that no one else can get copies.  File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission.  By sharing your identity theft complaint with the FTC, you will provide important information that can help law enforcement officials across the nation track down identity thieves and stop them.  You can reach the ID theft hotline tollfree at 1-877-IDTHEFT (438-4338).

7) Report Stolen Mail

If you believe that your mail has been stolen you must contact the nearest Postal Inspector. You can look for the number in your white pages under Government Services or call 1-800-ASK-USPS.