Steps to take if you become a victim of identity theft
Source:
San Jose Mercury News
- Get a police report. You will need this, and a case number, in any
contact you have with banks, credit card companies, and others as you sort out a case
of ID theft.
- If your case involves theft from the mail, you will also need to contact
inspectors from the U.S. Postal Service. Your local post office is the place to start.
- Watch your banking records. Closely monitoring monthly statements for
unusual activity or charges is good, but a thief can do a lot of damage in a month. Most
large banks offer online access to accounts. This way, you can watch your statement weekly
or daily.
- Monitor your credit report regularly for credit cards or loans you never
applied for. All consumers should review these reports at least once a year, more often
if they suspect identity theft. The three major credit-reporting agencies in the United
States charge a small fee for these reports.
- Equifax, Inc - (800) 685-1111.
If you have an account with Equifax: (877) 784-2528;
if you have used the 3-in-1 report you need to call this number first to get an id
to use with TransUnion: (866) 226-3736
- Experion - (888) 397-3742.
If you have an account: (800) 567-5470
- TransUnion LLC's - (800)
916-8800.
If you have an account: (800) 916-8800
- Call the Federal Trade Commission's identity-theft victim hotline,
(877) 438-4338. The FTC is compiling statistics on identity theft and the hotline
offers additional tips.
- The San Diego-based Identity Theft Resource Center, a non-profit victim
advocacy and consumer education program, also offers help, and some tips for setting up
victims' support groups: www.idtheftcenter.com