Identity Theft Victim Info

Order a copy of your credit report to see if any new accounts or credit inquiries show up.

Virtually all of your credit information is in your credit report. If someone is opening accounts in your name, it should show up there. If you suspect you've been a victim of fraud (for example; you've had your mail stolen, lost your wallet, or been contacted by a collection agency for an account you've never heard of), you should contact the fraud department of each credit bureau. You are eligible for a free credit report sent via U.S. mail if you are a victim of Fraud or ID Theft.

Contact the fraud departments of each of the three major credit bureaus and report that you think your identity has been stolen.

Request that a "Fraud Alert" be placed on your file and that no new credit be granted without your approval.

EquifaxConsumer Fraud DivisionPhone: 800-525-6285 or 404-885-8000Fax: 770-375-2821P.O. Box 740256, Atlanta, GA 30374Call now

ExperianExperian's National Consumer AssistancePhone: 888-397-3742P.O. Box 9530, Allen, TX 75013Call now

TransUnionFraud Victim Assistance DepartmentPhone: 800-680-7289Fax: 714-447-6034P.O. Box 6790, Fullerton, CA 92834Call now

If you're a resident of California, you can also apply a Credit Freeze to your account. If you are a resident of California, you have the right as of January 1, 2003, under the California Law SB 168 (Debra Bowen) Identity Theft Prevention Act, to place a security freeze on your credit report. A Security Freeze will prevent access to your credit report, allowing you to control which companies may see your credit report. However, there are certain exemptions to the Security Freeze allowed by state law that allows companies to view your report even though it is frozen.

In order to place a Credit Freeze on your report you must submit a letter in writing and a check for any associated fees to the following credit bureaus. (Contact each credit bureau for fees related to this service.)

In your letter, include your name, current and former address, social security number, date of birth, and either a credit card number with expiration date, check, or money order to pay for any fee related to this service. You will be sent an information letter that includes a 10 digit personal identification number (PIN) and a telephone number to use to unfreeze your credit.

Research the crime and file complaints.

Contact each company where you think you might have been a victim. Talk to their security or fraud department and explain what has happened. Review your account with them for any incorrect charges or a change of address. If you find something is wrong, you may need to close the account. If you open any new accounts, ask the company to put passwords (not your mother's maiden name) on the account.

If you report the loss before the credit card is used, the card issuer cannot hold you responsible for any unauthorized charges. If a thief uses your credit card before you report it missing, the most you will owe for unauthorized charges is $50 per card. This is true even if the thief uses your credit card at an ATM machine to obtain a cash advance.

How to contact Visa, MasterCard, and American Express:

ATM and Debit Cards: Be aware that ATM and debit cards do not allow the same protections as credit cards. If you fail to report unauthorized charges within a timely manner, you could be held liable for the charges.

Checks: Most states hold the bank responsible for the losses from a forged check. However, you may be held liable for the forgery if you do not notify the bank in a timely manner that a check was lost or stolen, or if you do not monitor your account statements and promptly report an unauthorized transaction. Contact the major check verification companies to request that they notify retailers using their databases not to accept the lost or stolen checks, or ask your bank to notify the check verification service with which it does business. To report the fraudulent use of your checks contact:

File a police report.

File a report with your local police or the police where the identity theft took place. Get a copy of the report in case the bank, credit card company, or others need proof of the crime later on. Also, make sure that the crime is reported under identity theft.

Keep a log of all conversations and activities.

Make notes of everyone you speak with; ask for names, department names, phone extensions; record the date you spoke to them. Don't throw these notes away! Keep all notes and letters together in case they are needed in the future. Keep track of the time you spend documenting this information and lost hours at work. You will need this information if the perpetrator is ever caught. You can be reimbursed for the time spent and hours lost.

File a complaint with government agencies.

File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The FTC is the federal clearinghouse for complaints by victims of identity theft. Although the FTC does not have the authority to bring criminal cases, the Commission assists victims of identity theft by providing them with information to help them resolve the financial and other problems that can result from identity theft. The FTC also may refer victim complaints to other appropriate government agencies and private organizations for further action.