To respond effectively to the theft of your identity, several important steps should be taken promptly:
- Freeze your credit reports with the three major credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax, TransUnion) to prevent new accounts being opened in your name.
- Contact your banks and credit card issuers to report the fraud and freeze or close compromised accounts.
- File a police report with your local law enforcement, obtaining a copy for your records.
- Report the identity theft to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) either online or by phone to create an Identity Theft Report and Affidavit.
- If your Social Security number is compromised, contact the Social Security Administration and the IRS.
- Change passwords and PINs on all your accounts, including email and financial accounts.
- Monitor your credit reports regularly for any additional fraudulent activity.
- Consider requesting an IRS Identity Protection PIN to protect your tax filings.
These steps help limit the damage, protect your credit, and enable you to legally document the theft for resolution with creditors and institutions.
