Identity Theft Checklist
No matter how careful you are, scammers can access your data. Here's how to fight back.
By immediately notifying credit bureaus, financial institutions, and government agencies, you can reduce your risk of financial loss and get smart people working on your behalf.
How can you tell iff you're an ID theft victim? Look for data breach notifications from businesses, unexplained drops in your credit score, and suspicious charges to your credit or debit card. If you suspect a problem, take these steps immediately.
Rapid reaction is your best defense
- Place a fraud alert on your credit reports
- Ask for a free copy of your credit report
- Review your reports for evidence of accounts you didn't open
- Change all affected account passwords
- Close accounts — including share drafts/checks or ATM cards — that have been tampered with or used fraudulently
- Contact all financial institutions, lenders, credit card issuers, license branch, utility companies, and the Social Security Administration to notify them of the fraud and follow up each conversation with a letter report number
- File a complaint with the FTC
- Visit the Federal Trade Commission's identity theft website for more information
- Call 877-IDTHEFT (438-4338)
Fraud unit contacts
Equifax
P.O. Box 740241
Atlanta, GA 30374-0241
Place a Fraud Alert With Equifax
800-525-6285
Experian
P.O. Box 9532
Allen, TX 75013
Place a Fraud Alert With Experian
888-397-3742
TransUnion
P.O. Box 6790
Fullerton, CA 92834-6790
Place a Fraud Alert With TransUnion
800-680-7289