What to do if your identity is stolen? If you have created an Identity Theft Report, you may consider placing an [[#|extended fraud alert]] or a [[#|credit freeze]] on your [[#|credit file]].
Freeze: a freeze stops all access to [[#|your credit report]], some states charge a fee for placing or removing
Fraud alert: a fraud alert permits creditors to get your report as long as they take steps to verify your identity, free to place or remove, stays in place for 7 years
How to place an extended fraud alert:
1.Contact each of the three nationwide credit reporting companies ([[#|Equifax]]: 1-800-525-6285, [[#|Experian]]: 1-888-397-3742, [[#|TransUnion]]: 1-800-680-7289) and ask the company to place an extended fraud alert on your [[#|credit file]]2.Remember to keep copies of letters
a.The company may have you [[#|complete]] a request form
1.Contact your state Attorney General’s office and ask if there is a fee for putting a freeze on your [[#|credit file]] and how long the freeze lasts
2.Contact each of the three nationwide credit reporting companies ([[#|Equifax]]: 1-800-525-6285, Experian: 1-888-397-3742, [[#|TransUnion]]: 1-800-680-7289) and report that you are an [[#|identity theft victim]], ask the company to freeze on your credit file, and pay the fee
3.Remember to keep copies of letters
Repairing your credit after identity theft: After you [[#|get your credit]] reports, check them carefully for errors. If you see errors, like accounts you didn’t open or debts you didn’t incur, dispute the errors with the credit reporting companies and the fraud dept. of each business that reported an error.
To dispute an error, write to each of the 3 credit reporting companies: explaining that you are an [[#|identity theft victim]], listing the errors you found, including copies of the documents showing the errors, and asking the credit company to remove the fraudulent information
Toget copies of the documents used by the thief, contact the business that has the records of fraudulent transactions or give written permission to a law enforcement officer to contact the company on your behalf.
Ask for copies of the documents the thief used to open new accounts or charge purchases in your name
Send details about where or when fraudulent transactions took place
Include a copy of your Identity Theft Report and proof of your identity
If your credit, atm, or debit card is stolen, report the loss or theft immediately
Call your credit card company to report the loss
Follow up with a letter or e-mail that includes your account number, the date and time you noticed your card was missing, and when you first reported the loss
Check your card statement carefully for transactions you didn’t make and report these to the card issuer as quickly as possible
Check if your homeowner’s or renter’s [[#|insurance policy]] covers your liability for card thefts. If not, some companies will allow you to change your policy to include this protection
Here is a Story about a Woman who was a victim of Medical Identity Theft:
What are the four types of identity theft? Check out this helpful power point!
Here are some Identity Theft Statistics:
Want to learn how to prevent your Identity from being stolen? Click on the power point below.
What to do if your identity is stolen?
If you have created an Identity Theft Report, you may consider placing an [[#|extended fraud alert]] or a [[#|credit freeze]] on your [[#|credit file]].
How to place an extended fraud alert:
How to place a Credit Freeze
Repairing your credit after identity theft:
After you [[#|get your credit]] reports, check them carefully for errors. If you see errors, like accounts you didn’t open or debts you didn’t incur, dispute the errors with the credit reporting companies and the fraud dept. of each business that reported an error.
To get copies of the documents used by the thief, contact the business that has the records of fraudulent transactions or give written permission to a law enforcement officer to contact the company on your behalf.
If your credit, atm, or debit card is stolen, report the loss or theft immediately
Here is a Story about a Woman who was a victim of Medical Identity Theft: