What to do Right Away:

Step 1:

Call the fraud department. Explain that someone stole your identity.

Ask them to close or freeze the accounts. Then, no one can add new charges unless you agree.

Change logins, passwords and PINS for your accounts.

Note: You might have to contact these companies again after you have an Identity Theft Report.

Step 2: Place a fraud alert and get your credit report.

Contact one of the three credit bureaus. That company must tell the other two.

• Equifax.com/CreditReportAssistance(link is external)
          1-888-766-0008

• Experian.com/fraudalert(link is external)
          1-888-397-3742

• TransUnion.com/fraud(link is external)
          1-800-680-7289

Note:You’ll get a letter from each credit bureau. It will confirm that they placed a fraud alert on your file.

A fraud alert is free. It will make it harder for someone to open new accounts in your name.

Get your free credit report right away. Go to annualcreditreport.com (link is external) or call 1-877-322-8228.

Note: Did you already order your free annual reports this year? If so, you can pay to get your report immediately. Or follow the instructions in each fraud alert confirmation letter to get a free report, but it might take longer.

Review your reports. Make note of any account or transaction you don’t recognize. This will help you report the theft to the FTC and the police.

Step 3: Report identity theft to the FTC

Complete the FTC’s online complaint form(link is external). Give as many details as you can. The complaint form is not available on mobile devices, but you can call 1-877-438-4338 to make your report.

Note:Based on the information you enter, the FTC complaint system will create your Identity Theft Affidavit. You’ll need this to complete other steps.

Print and save your FTC Identity Theft Affidavit immediately. Once you leave the page, you won’t be able to get your affidavit.

Note: Do you need to update your affidavit? Call 1-877-438-4338.

Step 4: File a report with your local police department
Go to your local police office with:

• a copy of your FTC Identity Theft Affidavit
• a government-issued ID with a photo
• proof of your address (mortgage statement, rental agreement, or utilities bill)
• any other proof you have of the theft (bills, IRS notices, etc.)
• FTC's Memo to Law Enforcement [PDF](link is external)

Tell the police someone stole your identity and you need to file a report. If they are reluctant, show them the FTC's Memo to Law Enforcement [PDF](link is external).

Ask for a copy of the police report. You’ll need this to complete other steps.

Create your Identity Theft Report by combining your FTC Identity Theft Affidavit with your police report.

Note: Your identity theft report proves to businesses that someone stole your identity. It also guarantees you certain rights.

Helpful Resources

UA Identity Theft Prevention Program

https://www.identitytheft.gov/

http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/features/feature-0014-identity-theft

http://www.justice.gov/criminal/fraud/websites/idtheft.html

http://www.idtheftcenter.org/id-theft/state-resources.html

http://www.idtheftcenter.org/states/Alaska.html

http://www.transunion.com/personal-credit/identity-theft-and-fraud/identity-theft-facts.page

http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10064.pdf

http://www.ic3.gov

http://www.usa.gov/topics/money/identity-theft/prevention.shtml

What to do next?

Step 1: Close new accounts opened in your name

Now that you have an Identity Theft Report, call the fraud department of each business where an account was opened.

• Explain that someone stole your identity.
• Ask the business to close the account.
• Ask the business to send you a letter confirming that:
• the fraudulent account isn’t yours
• you aren’t liable for it
• it was removed from your credit report
• Keep this letter. Use it if the account appears on your credit report later on.

Note: The business may require you to send them a copy of your Identity Theft Report or complete a special dispute form. This sample letter can help.

Write down who you contacted and when.

Step 2: Remove bogus charges from your accounts

Call the fraud department of each business

• Explain that someone stole your identity.
• Tell them which charges are fraudulent. Ask the business to remove them.
• Ask the business to send you a letter confirming they removed the fraudulent charges.
• Keep this letter. Use it if this account appears on your credit report later on.

Note: The business may require you to send them a copy of your Identity Theft Report or complete a special dispute form. This sample letter can help.

Write down who you contacted and when.

Step 3: Correct your credit report

Write to each of the three credit bureaus. This sample letter can help.

• Include a copy of your Identity Theft Report and proof of your identity, like your name, address, and Social Security number.
• Explain which information on your report came from identity theft.
• Ask them to block that information.

Equifax.com

      P.O. Box 105069

     Atlanta, GA 30348-5069

     1-800-525-6285

Experian.com

     P.O. Box 9554

     Allen, TX 75013

     1-888-397-3742

TransUnion.com

     Fraud Victim Assistance Department

     P.O. Box 2000

     Chester, PA 19022-2000

     1-800-680-7289

Note: If someone steals your identity, you have the right to remove fraudulent information from your credit report. This is called blocking. Once the information is blocked, it won’t show up on your credit report, and companies can’t try to collect the debt from you. If you have an Identity Theft Report, credit bureaus must honor your request to block this information.

If you don’t have an Identity Theft Report, you still can dispute incorrect information in your credit file. It can take longer, and there’s no guarantee that the credit bureaus will remove the information.

Step 4: Consider adding an extended fraud alert and credit freeze

Note: Extended fraud alerts and credit freezes can help prevent further misuse of your personal information. There are important differences. This chart can help you decide which might be right for you.

Other steps you might need depending on your situation: https://www.identitytheft.gov/

Source: https://www.identitytheft.gov/