Identity theft can happen to you even if you take precautions. Identity theft is a serious problem, but you can protect yourself by taking the proper precautions. If you think that your identity has been stolen, act quickly to minimize the damage.
If your identity is stolen, there are a few steps you should take.
Table of Contents
1. File a Police Report
The first thing you should do is file a police report. This will help document the crime and can be used as evidence if you need to file a lawsuit.
2. Contact the Federal Trade Commission
Identity theft can be reported online at IdentityTheft.gov or by phone at 1-877-438-4338 to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The FTC will gather information about your circumstance. The mission of the FTC is to protect consumers from unfair or deceptive business practices.
3. Notify Any Affected Creditors or Banks to Dispute the Fraudulent Activity
Depending on the type of identity theft, you may need to contact your creditors or banks in order to dispute fraudulent activity. This is especially important if someone has stolen your credit card information or taken out a loan in your name.
4. Close any Accounts That Have been Tampered with
Once you’ve contacted the credit bureaus, you should also close any accounts that have been tampered with or opened fraudulently.
5. Contact Your State Attorney General’s Office
Your state attorney general’s office can help you to protect your rights as a consumer and may be able to offer you additional assistance.
6. Keep a Detailed Record of Your Efforts
Be sure to keep a detailed record of all the steps you take to rectify the situation. This will be helpful if you need to provide documentation to the police or credit bureaus.