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Your National Resource for Identity Theft. How can
someone steal your identity? How can someone steal
your identity? Identity theft occurs when someone
uses your personal information such as your commit
fraud or other crimes. Identity theft is a serious
crime.
People whose identities have been stolen can spend
months or years - and their hard-earned money - cleaning
up the mess thieves have made of their good name and
credit record. In the meantime, victims may lose job
opportunities, be refused loans, education, housing
or cars, or even get arrested for crimes they didn't
commit.
If you think your identity has been stolen, here's
what to do now:
• Contact the fraud departments of any one of
the three major credit bureaus to place a fraud
alert on your credit file. The fraud alert requests
creditors to contact you before opening any new accounts
or making any changes to your existing accounts. As
soon as the credit bureau confirms your fraud alert,
the other two credit bureaus will be automatically
notified to place fraud alerts. Once the alert
is placed, you may order a free copy of your credit
report from all three major credit bureaus.
• Close the accounts that you know or believe
have been tampered with or opened fraudulently. Use
the ID Theft Affidavit when disputing new unauthorized
accounts.
• File a police report. Get a copy of the report
to submit to your creditors and others that may require
proof of the crime.
• File your complaint with the FTC. The FTC
maintains a database of identity theft cases used
by law enforcement agencies for investigations. Filing
a complaint also helps us learn more about identity
theft and the problems victims are having so that
we can better assist you.
www.consumer.gov/idtheft
Also see:
• Major
Credit Bureaus
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