Responding to ID Theft

Defend Your Identity Now!

What happens if you have been victimized by identity theft or have reason to believe that your identity has been stolen? Will you know what to look for? Dealing with identity theft can be a difficult process. Some consumers report taking up to a full week off work just to be able to sort through their records, make necessary phone calls, and fax requested documentation relating to their ID theft claims. If you find yourself victimized by ID thievery, you can use your ID theft services to take immediate action.

If you detect ID theft, don't wait to do anything about. Do something! But more important than acting quickly, you need to act effectively. Begin by requesting a fraud alert with the credit bureaus. There are two kinds of fraud alerts available to consumers. The first is an initial fraud alert that remains effective for ninety days. The second is an extended fraud alert, which remains on your credit report for seven years. Extended fraud alerts are only available to ID theft victims and require an Identity Theft Report from the Federal Trade Commission. You may also want to place a complete freeze on your credit report. Learn more about the use of fraud alerts and credit freezes under identity fraud prevention. Finally, close all accounts that you suspect ID thieves have access to.

Contact law enforcement

By placing a fraud alert or credit freeze on your credit report, you will be able to prevent identity thieves from opening any new accounts without your knowledge. And by closing all accounts you suspect ID thieves presently have access to, you will be able to curtail fraudulent charges made on those accounts. At this point, it is important to notify law enforcement.

Local law enforcement

As a victim of identity theft, you will need to file a report with a local, state or federal law enforcement agency. Depending on the laws of the state you live in (or the laws of the state in which fraudulent charges were made) you may need to file a report with your local police department, the office of your state's Attorney General, or the US Postal Inspection Agency. Filing an official report will be important in order to contest charges falsely made under your identity.

The Federal Trade Commission ID Theft Report

Victims of identity theft should contact the Federal Trade Commission in order to fill out an ID Theft Complaint Form. This will allow you to begin the process of filing an official FTC Identity Theft Report. By filing an Identity Theft Report, the credit reporting companies will permanently block out any fraudulent information in your credit report. It will also help you prevent collection companies from demanding that you pay for debts accrued in your name by identity thieves.