IdentityTheft.gov-Federal Trade Commission

Is someone using your personal information to open new accounts, make purchases or get a tax refund? Report it at IdentityTheft.gov and get a personal recovery plan.

What to do Right Away!

Step One: Call the companies where you know fraud occurred:

*Call the fraud department. Explain that someone your identity.

*Ask them to close or freeze the accounts. Then, no one can add new changes unless you agree.

*Change logins, passwords and PINS for your accounts.

Step Two: Place a fraud alert and get your credit reports.

*To place a fraud alert, contact one of the three credit bureaus. That company must tell the other two.

*A fraud alert is free. It will make it harder for someone to open new accounts in your name. You’ll get a letter from each credit bureau. It will confirm that they placed a fraud alert on your file.

Equifax.com/CreditReportAssistance

1-888-766-0008

Experian.com/fraudalert

1-888-397-3742

TransUnion.com/fraud

1-800-680-7289

*Get a copy of your free credit reports from Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. Go to annualcreditreport.com or call 1-877-322-8228.

*Did you already order your free annual reports this year? If so, you can pay to get your report immediately. Or follow the instructions in the fraud alert confirmation letter from each credit bureau to get a free report. That might take longer.

*Review your reports. Make note of any account or transaction you don’t recognize. This will help you report the theft to the FTC and the police.

Step Three: Report identity theft to the FTC

*Visit IdentityTheft.gov and click “Get Started” or call 1-877-438-4338. Include as many details as possible. Based on the information you enter, IdentityTheft.gov will create your Identity Theft Affidavit and recovery plan.

If you create an account, we’ll walk you through each recovery step, update your plan as needed, track your progress and pre-fill forms and letters to you.

If you don’t create an account, you must print and save your Identity Theft Affidavit and recovery plan right away. Once you leave the page, you won’t be able to access or update them.

Step Four: File a report with you local police department

*Go to your local police office with:

-a copy of your FTC Identity Theft Affidavit

-a government-issued ID with a photo

-proof of your address (mortgage-statement, rental agreement or utilities bill)

-any other proof you have of the theft (bills, IRS notices, etc.)

-the FTC’s Memo to Law Enforcement (available at IdentityTheft.gov)

*Tell the police someone stole your identity and you need to file a report. If they are reluctant, show them the FTC’s Memo to Law Enforcement.

*Ask for a copy of the police report. You’ll need this to complete other steps.

*Create your identity Theft Report by combining your FTC Identity Theft Affidavit with your police report.

-Your identity theft report proves to businesses that someone stole your identity. It also guarantees you certain rights.

Go to IdentityTheft.gov for the next steps.

Your next step might be closing accounts opened in your name or reporting fraudulent charges to your credit card company. IdentityTheft.gov can help-no matter what your specific identity theft situation is.

Disclaimer: This information was taken directly from the Federal Trade Commission of IdentityTheft.gov pamphlet. Please call or email the above numbers for more information on this service and how it works.