Information Center

Identity Theft

What Should I Do If I Become a Victim of Identity Theft?

1. Contact the Police.
Provide documentation (i.e. debt collection letters, credit reports, ID Theft Affidavit) to prove you're a victim of identity theft. Request a report to be filed.

2. Contact Credit Bureaus.
Request a "Fraud Alert" be placed in your file as well as a victim's statement that asks creditors to call you before opening any new accounts or changing your existing accounts.

Order a copy of your credit report from each credit report from each credit bureau. Reports must be given free of charge to victims of identity theft. Review the reports to verify no fraudulent accounts have been opened in your name and that no charges were made to your existing accounts. Contact companies of unauthorized new accounts or pending inquiries immediately. Have them remove the accounts from their system.

CREDIT BUREAU	FRAUD HOTLINE	ORDER REPORT
Equifax	800-525-6285	800-685-1111
Experian	888-397-3742	888-397-3742
TransUnion	800-680-7289	800-888-4213

*April 2003: It is only necessary to contact one of the credit bureaus to report identity theft as they all share a common database.

3. Contact the Federal Trade Commission.
The FTC will file a report and assist you in referring complaints to appropriate entities, including major credit-reporting agencies and law enforcement agencies. Call 1-877-ID-THEFT (1-877-438-4338).

4. Contact Creditors, Financial Institutions, or Utilities.
Ask if they have their own fraud dispute forms, if not, ask if your ID Theft Affidavit is sufficient. Close old accounts and open new accounts using new PINs and Passwords.

If your checks have been stolen or misused, contact the major check verification companies directly to request retailers who use their databases not to accept your checks.

Verification Companies	Phone Number
TeleCheck	800-710-9898
Certegy, Inc.	800-437-5120
International Check Services	800-631-9656

If your checks have been stolen or misused, you can find out if the identity thief has been passing bad checks in your name by calling SCAN at 800-262-771.

5. Contact Postal Service if mail has been stolen. (www.usps.com)

6. Contact Social Security Administration if your SSN has been stolen. - (hotline 800.269.0271)

7. Contact Department of Motor Vehicles if you believe someone is trying to obtain a driver's license or identification using your name and information.

Additional Tips to Help Organize Your Case

Write down names of who you talked to, what they told you and the conversation date.
Follow up in writing. Use certified mail, return receipt requested.
Keep copies of all correspondence.
Do not send originals of documentation.
Keep old files even after your case is closed.

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