Report identity theft
The moment you spot fraudulent activity, you need to start building a paper trail. Reporting identity theft to the right agencies gives you the proof you need when disputing charges and showing these accounts aren't yours.
Take these five steps to build your case:
1. Contact the affected financial institutions
Contact the fraud departments of each financial institution affected by the identity theft. "This will prevent further exploitation of that particular account," said David Chami, managing partner at Consumer Justice Law Firm in Scottsdale, Arizona.
While you have them on the phone, ask them to freeze your credit or close the compromised account and walk you through their formal dispute process.
2. Pull your credit reports
Get free reports from all three bureaus (Experian, TransUnion and Equifax) at AnnualCreditReport.com to see which accounts thieves opened in your name. Not every fraudulent account shows up immediately, so check back regularly.
3. File an FTC report
Go to IdentityTheft.gov to create an official identity theft report with the FTC. “The site is an incredibly helpful and consumer-friendly tool for ID-theft victims,” said Martin Lynch, president of the Financial Counseling Association of America. “Its triage process points to template letters for contacting creditors.”
4. File a police report
Take your FTC report to your local police department and file an official report. Make sure to list all fraudulent accounts you found on your credit report and have the officer sign the report with their badge number.
5. Send formal disputes
Mail dispute letters to banks, creditors and credit bureaus using certified mail and request a return receipt. Chami noted that your initial phone call isn't a formal dispute. You need written documentation under consumer protection laws, such as the Fair Credit Billing Act. Save copies of all letters, supporting documents and mailing receipts.
"If your dispute is ignored or entries remain, you may need legal support," Chami said. Consumer protection laws often shift attorney fees to the wrongdoer.
Secure your accounts
Once you’ve reported the theft, your next step is to prevent further damage. After checking for identity theft across your financial accounts, lock down everything to stop new fraudulent activity.
Start by changing passwords on every account. “Rely on auto-generated, highly secure passwords when given the option,” recommended Chami. Don’t reuse passwords across multiple sites. If thieves cracked one, they’ll try it everywhere else.
Next, decide between a fraud alert and a credit freeze.
Most identity theft victims choose freezes over alerts since they block access rather than just adding a verification step.
A fraud alert flags your credit file, so lenders verify your identity before approving new accounts. “The process is easy, and you only need to contact one of the bureaus — they’ll notify the other two,” Lynch explained. Initial alerts last for one year and are renewable.
According to Lynch, a credit freeze offers “greater peace of mind” and stronger protection:
- It locks down your credit entirely.
- No prospective creditor can access your reports until you lift the freeze.
The process is free, though you’ll need to contact each bureau individually to freeze and unfreeze your credit.
Monitor your credit
Reporting and securing your accounts stops the immediate bleeding. But monitoring your credit catches problems that surface later. Identity thieves don’t always strike all at once. Fraudulent accounts can appear weeks or months after the initial theft.
"You have weekly access via AnnualCreditReport.com, so it's an easy process," Chami said. Checking your own reports doesn’t hurt your credit score, so there’s no downside to frequent reviews.
When reviewing your reports, start with delinquent accounts since thieves rarely pay bills. “If you discover a drop in your credit scores, that could be a sign that someone opened a new account in your name,” Lynch warned.
Look for the following:
- Unfamiliar loans in your name
- Collection attempts
- Unpaid bills you don’t recognize
Then check accounts in good standing for utility accounts or credit cards that aren't yours.
Protect your personal information
While nothing is foolproof, you can take action to better secure your personal data.
Everyone is vulnerable to identity theft, but taking a few affirmative steps and facing the threat head-on is the only way to protect yourself.”
Here's what works:
1. Use strong password protection
Password managers generate complex, random passwords and store them securely for you. “You'll only need to remember your password manager's master password,” Lynch explained. “And these managers are cheap, from free up to $12 per month.” Never reuse passwords across accounts.
2. Enable two-factor authentication
This requires an additional form of verification, typically a code texted to your phone, beyond just your password. Even if someone cracks your password, they won't get far without that second piece of proof.
Feeling overwhelmed? The IRS Identity Protection Specialized Unit can help if you call 800-908-4490.
3. Watch for phishing scams
Don't open attachments from unknown senders or click links in suspicious emails. “If the message appears to come from a bank or other lender, back out and contact them through their actual website,” cautioned Lynch.
4. Guard your Social Security number (SSN)
Only provide your SSN when absolutely necessary and ask why it's needed before sharing it. Leave your Social Security card at home in a secure spot instead of carrying it around in your wallet.
Address specific identity theft issues
Different types of identity theft require contacting different agencies, but the steps to recover are similar. Here's how to handle the most common scenarios:
Social Security number theft
Contact the Social Security Administration at ssa.gov immediately if you suspect someone stole your SSN. "If you've created a 'My Social Security' account with them, you can use it to review your reported earnings and look for any suspicious activity," Lynch said. File reports with both IdentityTheft.gov and your local police, then monitor your statements for jobs or income you didn't earn.
Medical identity theft
If someone uses your insurance to get medical care, call your insurance company right away and dispute the fraudulent claims. Request copies of your medical records to check for treatments or prescriptions that aren't yours. Medical identity theft can affect your coverage limits and future care, so report it to IdentityTheft.gov and ask your insurer how to correct your records.
Tax-related identity theft
Someone filing a tax return in your name creates a mess with the IRS that takes months to untangle. Go to IdentityTheft.gov to create an identity theft report. The site automatically transfers IRS Form 14039 to the IRS for you. If the IRS has already sent you a letter about a duplicate return, follow those specific instructions instead.
» COMPARE: 3 best identity theft protection services
FAQ
What is the first thing you should do if your identity is stolen?
If your identity is stolen, the first thing you should do is alert your bank and credit card companies about any fraudulent charges you've found. Call at least one credit bureau to set up a fraud alert, file a report at IdentityTheft.gov and update your passwords across all accounts right away.
Should I be worried if my SSN is stolen?
Yes, you should be worried if your SSN is stolen. Someone can use that nine-digit number to drain your finances, steal your tax refund or open accounts that ruin your credit score.
How do I check to see if someone is using my identity?
To see if someone is using your identity, request your credit reports from AnnualCreditReport.com and scan them for accounts you didn't open. Also, review your bank statements for charges you don't recognize. Calls from debt collectors about unknown accounts or W-2s from jobs you never held are clear warning signs.
Do you get a new SSN if your identity is stolen?
You can get a new SSN if your identity is stolen, but the Social Security Administration requires proof that you've tried everything and are still facing serious problems from the theft. Even then, your old number remains tied to your history and will show up when employers or landlords run background checks.
Article sources
ConsumerAffairs writers primarily rely on government data, industry experts and original research from other reputable publications to inform their work. Specific sources for this article include:
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