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If you've been a victim of ID theft
Act fast. The sooner you respond, the less damage you will have to undo.
Keep a record. Take notes during calls, document names, titles and phone numbers of everyone you speak with, and keep copies of every letter you send or receive.
Step 1:
Call one of the three credit bureaus and ask them to place an initial fraud alert on your account. By law the bureau you contact has to call the other two, who will then also post fraud alerts on their versions of your credit report.
Once the alerts are posted you're entitled to a free credit report from each bureau. Review the reports and identify any unfamiliar accounts or new debts on your existing accounts that you can't explain.
Step 2:
Close any affected accounts by calling the fraud prevention or security departments at each company. To make sure the accounts are closed follow up in writing by certified mail, return receipt requested. In your call and your letter be sure to request whatever forms you will need to dispute any newly opened accounts or fraudulent charges on your existing accounts.
If the company has already reported debts created by the ID thief to the credit bureaus, you will need an Identity Theft Report from your local police to require the company to stop reporting the fraudulent information.
Step 3:
File a report with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). An online complaint form is available at www.ftc.gov/idtheft, or you can call their hotline at 1-877-ID-THEFT. The FTC doesn't investigate individual crimes but they do track trends that help the government crack down on identity theft and they provide an excellent referral service and step-by-step guides to help you report and recover from an ID theft. You should also ask for or print, if you are filing online, a copy of your FTC ID Theft Complaint Form so the police can include it in their report.
Step 4:
Call your local police and tell them you need to file a report in person. Bring a copy of your FTC ID Theft Complaint Form with you, along with debt collection letters, credit reports and any other supporting documentation you may have. To be considered an Identity Theft Report, your police report must contain details about the accounts and the inaccurate information that resulted from the identity theft, which is why it is helpful to include the FTC ID Theft Complaint Form.
By providing a copy of the Identity Theft Report to creditors you can force them to remove and keep them from posting fraudulent debts on your credit reports. The Identity Theft Report also allows you to place an extended fraud watch or a credit freeze on your credit reports.
The most effective way to protect yourself is to “freeze” your credit report from being released by each of the three national credit reporting agencies. Under New York State law you may “freeze” your credit report so that no one can access it to increase your current credit limit or open a new line of credit in your name. You do not need to be an identity theft victim to freeze your credit report. You may selectively allow your credit report to be reviewed after you have requested a freeze. For more information on using New York’s credit freeze law, go to the state Consumer Protection Board Web site (click for link).
Additionally, companies are required to provide a copy of the fraudulent application or other records relating to your identity theft if you submit your request in writing, accompanied by your Identity Theft Report.