If you find that you have been victim of identity theft, the first thing to do is not to panic. Follow these five steps to restore your reputation and credit.
1. File a police report and identity theft complaint: Once you realize you are a victim of identity theft, you must immediately file a police report with your local police so they can start a local investigation. This survey can help to reveal more information about identity theft -. For example, when the thieves get your information if it occurred locally or in person
In addition to filing a police report, you must also file an identity theft complaint with the Federal Trade Commission. It is important to also file a complaint with the FTC because it observes the national identity theft trends, conducts investigations - line and identity theft in person -. Which can lead to future lawsuits
2. Notify your bank and credit report agencies: Once you report the crime to the police and the FTC, the next step is to contact your bank to let them know that you have been victim of identity theft, as well as verify that none of your bank accounts or credit cards have been tampered with or used. If one of your bank accounts or credit were used, then you should close and re-open with new account numbers and credit card.
In addition to alerting all banks, you should also contact the three creditors - Equifax, Experian and TransUnion - to let them know that you have been victim of identity theft. When you contact each creditor, you should seek to put an extended fraud alert or credit freeze on your credit report. An extended fraud alert is a note on your credit report that allows creditors know they have to take additional steps to verify your identity. This alert is only for identity theft victims and lasts seven years, according to the FTC.
gel A credit is the most dramatic option of the two because it completely blocks your credit. This gel prevents any business, even your current creditors to access. In most states to place a credit freeze is free for victims of identity theft, but some states undertake to place the gel, according to the FTC. The credit freeze length also varies from state to state. The identity theft victim can decide if an extended fraud alert or credit freeze is best for them.
3. Alert any business that your personal information: This is one of the steps that most people forget. Identity thieves are trying to get as much information about you as they can, so that means they can try to get information from essentially a place you never disclosed your personal information - even if it was only your name and phone number. You must contact utilities, cable providers and the Internet, libraries, insurance companies and any other company or organization can have any of your information. When you contact them, you should ask them to place a note on your account that allows their staff know that you have been victim of identity theft and they need to take additional steps to verify your identity before sharing personal information.
4. Follow up with every organization and society: Another step you must take to restore your reputation is to follow up with your banks, creditors and the police. Your identity can not be fixed overnight so it will take some time to get everything set, which means that you'll want to check in for updates and make sure everything is being completed. Also, make sure you get everything in writing in case you need in the future.
5. Take action to help stop identity theft: There are several steps a victim of identity theft - or anyone who wants to keep their safety deposit strong identity - can take to help stop identity theft in the future. You can choose to do it on your own by doing things like shredding all documents containing personal information, track your credit report, check your bank and credit card statements regularly to check the purchases were made by you and, finally, be aware of what you post online -. in terms of personal information
An easier way to possibly stop identity theft before it's too late to register for a protection service against identity theft. These services monitor your personal information on the black market of the Internet, as well as monitor all three credit bureaus, and they will send you an alert if they notice anything unusual or suspicious. Visit our Identity Theft page Compare to learn more about what each of these services offer or check this website to find out why these services are important.