If you suspect that your personal information has been hijacked and misappropriated to commit fraud or theft, take action immediately, and keep a record of your conversations and correspondence.
Sometimes an identity thief can strike even if you've been very careful about keeping your personal information to yourself.
HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF
Exactly which steps you should take to protect yourself depends on your circumstances and how your identity has been misused. However, three basic actions are appropriate in almost every case:
First, order a copy of your credit report. Credit bureaus must give you a free copy of your report if your report is inaccurate because of fraud, and you request it in writing. Review your reports carefully to make sure no additional fraudulent accounts have been opened in your name or unauthorized changes made to your existing accounts.
Also, check the section of your report that lists "inquiries." Where inquiries appear from the companies that opened the fraudulent accounts, request that these be removed from your report. In a few months, order new copies of your reports to verify your corrections and changes, and to make sure no new fraudulent activity has occurred.
Second, contact the creditors for any accounts that have been tampered with or opened fraudulently. Creditors include credit card companies, phone companies and other utilities, and banks and other lenders. Ask to speak with someone in the security or fraud department of each creditor, and follow up with a letter. It's particularly important to notify credit card companies in writing because that's the consumer protection procedure the law spells out for resolving errors on credit card billing statements.
Immediately close accounts that have been tampered with and open new ones with new Personal Identification Numbers (PINs) and passwords. Here again, avoid using easily available information like your mother's maiden name, your birth date or your phone number, or a series of consecutive numbers.
Third, file a report with the police in the community where the identity theft took place. Get a copy of the police report in case the bank, credit card company or others need proof of the crime. Even if the police can't catch the identity thief in your case, having a copy of the police report can help you when dealing with creditors.
ADDITIONAL STEPS
- If an identity thief has stolen your mail to get new credit cards, bank and credit card statements, pre-screened credit offers or tax information, or if an identity thief has falsified change-of-address forms, that's a crime. Report it to your local post office.
- If you discover that an identity thief has changed the billing address on an existing credit card account, close the account. When you open a new account, ask that a password be used before any inquiries or changes can be made on the account.
- If you have reason to believe that an identity thief has tampered with your bank accounts, checks or ATM card, close the accounts immediately. When you open new accounts, insist on password-only access to minimize the chance that an identity thief can violate the accounts.
- If your ATM card has been lost, stolen or otherwise compromised, cancel the card as soon as you can and get another with a new PIN.
- If your checks have been stolen or misused, stop payment. You can contact the following major check verification companies to learn more about the services they provide in helping you track your stolen or misused checks.
- If an identity thief has established new phone service in your name; is making unauthorized calls that seem to come from - and are billed to - your cellular phone; or is using your calling card and PIN, contact your service provider immediately to cancel the account and/or calling card. Open new accounts and choose new PINs.
- If you suspect that your name is being used by an identity thief to get a driver's license or a non-driver's ID card, contact your State's Department of Transport.
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