Identity theft takes many forms and, unless you know the thief, catching the perpetrator is usually difficult. Using the information on how to report identity theft, you can report your instance of identity theft to start reclaiming your identity and mitigating the damage being done and, potentially, allow law enforcement and other entities to track patterns of behavior exhibited by identity thieves in the hopes that they can be stopped.
ADD A FRAUD ALERT TO YOUR CREDIT REPORT AND FREEZE IT
One of the first things you need to do when figuring out how to report identity theft is to contact the three major credit reporting agencies (CRAs), Equifax, Experian and Trans Union, to request a fraud alert and a credit freeze. The alert will notify lenders that you may be a victim of fraud and encourages them to take extra steps to verify your identity before approving any applications in your name.
A credit freeze prevents opening new accounts using your personal information and can be placed indefinitely. If you need your credit report to be available to a new creditor or an employer, you can request a temporary lift of the credit freeze.
ASK FOR COPIES OF YOUR CREDIT REPORTS
As a victim of identity theft you are entitled to a free copy of your credit report from each of the three major CRAs. Obtain a report from each to make sure you are not missing anything important; the reports may not be identical and one credit reporting agency may show information that another credit reporting agency does not. Review the reports carefully for transactions you do not recognize.
FILE A REPORT WITH THE FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION
Report your identity theft to the Federal Trade Commission right away while going through the process of how to report identity theft. The FTC’s Identity Theft Report can be used to prove you are a victim of identity theft to all the entities you will need to contact. You can file a report online or call 877.438.4338.
FILE A POLICE REPORT
Once you have obtained a report from the FTC, if the following are applicable to you, you will also need to file a police report:
- The identity theft was a result of theft of an item or document containing PII (wallet or purse, car was broken into, home burglary, etc) Ð if you haven’t already, you want to report the theft as well as the instance of identity theft
- You know the identity thief, or have other information that could help a police investigation
- An identity thief used your name in a traffic stop or any encounter with police
- A creditor, debt collector, state agency or someone else affected by the identity theft insists that you produce a police report and will not accept an FTC Identity Theft Report.
NOTIFY ALL ENTITIES INVOLVED AND OBTAIN DOCUMENTS
Contact all entities where the identity theft took place and ask for copies of records related to transactions or accounts connected to the use of your personal information for identity theft. This can include copies of the PII that was provided or forms filled out to open an account. Ask financial institutions or creditors for any information about debt incurred due to the identity theft.
CLEAN YOUR ACCOUNTS
Contact the entities where identity theft took place to close existing compromised accounts or fraudulently opened accounts. Open new accounts to replace the compromised accounts. Ask what secondary measures can be put in place for protection Ð additional passwords and multi-factor authentication can help thwart would-be thieves. Once the accounts in question have been cleared, get an offical letter of clearance and keep it somewhere safe in case you need to reference it again in subsequent years.
STATE I.D. COMPROMISED? CONTACT YOUR LOCAL DMV/BMV
An identity thief can use a driver’s license or state ID to impersonate you. If you driver’s license or state ID has been lost, stolen or otherwise compromised contact your DMV. In some states you can flag your ID to notify law enforcement that it has been compromised.
SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER COMPROMISED? CONTACT THE IRS
If your instance of identity theft involves your social security number, contact the IRS to make sure you are not a victim of tax-related identity theft. Someone with your name, birth date and Social Security number could file a tax return in your name. Be sure to respond to any notices from the IRS that may alert you to fraudulent activity.
MEDICAL INSURANCE COMPROMISED? ALERT YOUR HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANY AND MEDICAL CARE PROVIDERS
If an identity thief used your medical information (e.g. medical ID or health insurance card), contact your medical care providers to make sure your insurance information has not been used to receive healthcare services or prescriptions in your name. Also contact your health insurance company to see if you can obtain a new policy number and flag or close the compromised account.
These are the steps on how to report identity theft. If you have additional questions or concerns you can receive no-cost assistance from the expert advisors at ITRC. Call us toll-free at 888.400.5530 or LiveChat with an expert today.
