What to do when your ID has been stolen:

Step 1: Protect your Finances

- Contact the fraud departments of each of the three major credit bureaus. Get a copy of your credit report, which is free to ID theft victims. (NOTE: In most states, you are entitled to one free credit report per year, regardless if you have been a victim or not.) Ask that your file be flagged with a “fraud alert tag” and a “victim’s statement.” That will limit the thief’s ability to open new credit accounts, as new creditors will call you before granting credit, generally. Insist in writing that the fraud alert remain in place for 7 years or the maximum time allowed, according to PrivacyRights.org.

Credit Bureaus

Equifax | 800-525-6285 | visit website

Experian | 888-397-3742 | visit website

TransUnion | 800-680-7289 | visit website

Step 2: File a Police Report

- You will need a police report to dispute unauthorized charges and for any insurance claims. Be persistent; your local police department may suggest that this isn’t necessary, because they don’t want the paperwork hassle. Also, fill out an online ID Theft complaint with the Federal Trade Commission or call 1-877-ID-THEFT. That enters your case in the FTC’s “Consumer Sentinel” database, a nationwide list of ID theft cases which can be used by law enforcement officers to find patterns and catch criminals.

Step 3: Close all Compromised Accounts

= The list may be wider than you realize. This includes accounts with banks, credit card companies and other lenders, and phone companies, utilities, ISPs, and other service providers. Dispute all unauthorized charges – The FTC offers a sample dispute letter on its website. Disputes may require a sworn statement and a police report. The FTC also offers a form affidavit which can be used for the sworn statement at http://ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft/.

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