Is someone using your personal or financial information to make purchases, get benefits, file taxes, or commit fraud? That’s identity theft. Follow the steps below to report identity theft:
Step 1: Call the companies where you know fraud occurred.
- 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.
Step 2: Place a fraud alert and get your credit reports.
To place a free fraud alert, contact one of the three credit bureaus. That company must tell the other two.
- Experian.com/help
888-EXPERIAN (888-397-3742) - TransUnion.com/credit-help
888-909-8872 - Equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services
800-685-1111
Get updates at IdentityTheft.gov/creditbureaucontacts.
Get your free credit reports from Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Go to annualcreditreport.com or call 877-322-8228.
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.
Go to IdentityTheft.gov, and include as many details as possible.
Based on the information you enter, IdentityTheft.gov will create your Identity Theft Report and recovery plan.
Questions on how to report identity theft? Contact Annette at (320) 214-2910.
