If you suspect that someone has used your name, Social Security number, or other personal information to get credit or a loan, the following steps can help.

Steps to Restore Your Good Name

Keep a record. Because recovering from identity theft can be a long and complicated process, it's important to keep a record of all communications. Send all letters by certified mail and keep copies. If you think your case might lead to a lawsuit, keep track of how much time you spend dealing with the problem.

Call the police. Report the crime to the police or sheriff's department that has jurisdiction in your case and request a police report. Though the authorities are often unable to help, a report may be necessary to help convince creditors that someone else has opened an account in your name.

Contact the Federal Trade Commission. Call the FTC's identity theft hotline at 877/438-4338 and file a complaint. The FTC does not resolve individual consumer problems itself, but your complaint may lead to law enforcement action.

Check your credit report. Get your credit report and check for any new accounts opened in your name. Because new accounts may take up to six months to show up on the report, continue to monitor your credit report. Get the 3-in-1 Credit Report and see your credit history as reported by the three major credit reporting agencies.

Contact the Three Credit Reporting Agencies. Have them put a fraud alert on your file, which will aid in preventing new credit accounts from being opened without your express permission. Below is contact information for each credit reporting agency's fraud division:

Equifax
800/525-6285
P.O. Box 740250
Atlanta, GA 30374

Experian
888/397-3742
P.O. Box 1017
Allen, TX 75013

TransUnion
800/680-7289
P.O. Box 6790
Fullerton, CA 92634

Freeze fraudulent accounts. Contact the appropriate creditors, banks, phone companies, and utility companies and have them freeze the accounts. You'll probably be liable for only $50 of the fraudulent charges, but different issuers have different policies. Most creditors promptly issue replacement cards with new account numbers.

You may also need to contact one or more of the following government bodies, each of which will inform you of the necessary procedures.

Mail fraud
If you suspect that someone has changed your address with the post office or used the mail to commit identity theft, notify the US Postal Inspector.

Fraud using your Social Security number 
If your Social Security number has been used to commit identity theft, call the Social Security Administration at 800/772-1213. You can order a copy of your earnings and benefits statement to check whether someone has used your Social Security number to get a job or to avoid paying taxes.

Fraud involving your driver's license number
If your driver's license number has been used to open accounts or verify checks, contact your state's Department of Motor Vehicles.

Fraud involving your passport 
Notify the U.S. State Department's Passport Services Department of the identity theft so that it can intercept anyone ordering a new passport in your name.

Fraud involving a business scam
If the fraud was perpetrated as part of a business scam, contact the National Fraud Information Center at 800/876-7060.

Bankruptcy filed using your name 
If someone filed for bankruptcy using your name, write to the U.S. Trustee in the region where the bankruptcy was filed. A listing of the U.S. Trustee Program's Regions can be found at www.usdoj.gov/ust, or look in the blue pages of your phone book under US Government: Bankruptcy Administration. Your letter should describe the situation and provide proof of your identity.


Important Contact Information

There are a number of helpful services to help you respond if you have been a victim of identity theft. Below is a list of resources that we have compiled on your behalf.

Federal Trade Commission's Identity Theft Hotline
877/ID-THEFT

Social Security Administration's Fraud Hotline
800/269-0271

Equifax fraud division
800/525-6285
P.O. Box 740250
Atlanta, GA 30374

Experian fraud division
888/397-3742
P.O. Box 1017
Allen, TX 75013

Trans Union fraud division
800/680-7289
P.O. Box 6790
Fullerton, CA 92634


To Read More 

If you want to know more about identity theft and credit fraud, the following nonprofit Web sites are excellent sources of information and additional contact information.

US Government's Web site for identity theft
http://www.consumer.gov/idtheft/

US Government: Know Fraud Program
http://www.consumer.gov/knowfraud/index.html

US Government: Identity theft clearinghouse
http://www.consumer.gov/sentinel/idtchart.htm

FTC consumer complaint form
https://rn.ftc.gov/dod/widtpubl$.startup?Z_ORG_CODE=PU03

US Department of Justice:
http://www.usdoj.gov/criminal/fraud/idtheft.html

Social Security Administration/Office of the Inspector General fraud Web site
http://www.oig.hotline@ssa.gov

US Secret Service: What to do if you're a victim of identity theft
http://www.treas.gov/usss/index.htm?faq.htm&1


Did You Know?

Almost 25% of identity theft or credit fraud complaints involve seniors -- but the average age is 41.

Read more Facts and Statistics.

