ITRC Solution 18 - Potential Scam Victim
If you received a phone call, filled out a form, or gave out information and think you could be a potential victim of a scam, we recommend you take the following steps:
- Contact the credit reporting agencies (CRAs) to place a fraud alert on your credit reports. (See ITRC Fact Sheet 124). These are currently 90-day “advisory only” fraud alerts. You may re-establish a fraud alert with the credit reporting agencies on day 91.
- Cancel all credit card, bank account, or ATM/Debt account numbers given out. Password protect those accounts.
- Notify DMV if driver’s license number was also given.
- Monitor your credit reports using the annual credit report system by staggering out your requests between the three credit reporting agencies every four months.
- Monitor the monthly statements sent to you from the compromised accounts closely. If there is a questionable charge or change of information then report it to the fraud department of that company immediately and close that account.
- File a police report stating you have responded to a scam. If you become a victim, this will be necessary to mitigate your case. Also, you may use this police report to obtain a 7-year fraud alert or a credit freeze.
Links to Resources on our Website:
ITRC Fact Sheet 123 - Scam Assistance
ITRC Fact Sheet 125 - Federal Annual Free Credit Report Law
This Solution should not be used in lieu of legal advice. Any requests to reproduce this material, other than by individual victims or their own use, should be directed to ITRC@idtheftcenter.org .
Copyright 2010, Identity Theft Resource Center ®, Created by the ITRC staff
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