Identity Theft Help
Assess Current Damage
Your first step will be to assess the damage. Run a security scan on the computer to detect any spyware or viruses, examine every bank and credit card for charges you didn’t make. Most criminals who steal credit card or bank information are savvy enough to know that small charges are less detectable than large ones, so they then to keep amounts low. Look for anything unusual or seemingly worth of note.
You should request a copy of your credit report at this time to check for unauthorized accounts or balances on cards you no longer use.
When you’ve determined how widespread the problem appears to be, you can determine your course of action. When you begin dealing with the identity theft, be sure to document all sources and contact including contact names and extensions.
Contact Your Insurance Company
If you are lucky enough to have identity theft insurance ahead of time, contact the company immediately. They will help you with the remainder of the process doing much of the forms and paperwork on your behalf to help get the problems cleared up more quickly.
Cancel or Notify Credit Card Accounts
Cancel any affected credit cards immediately. In the best case scenario, this is one, in the worst case scenario, this is every credit account you have open – even if you haven’t used it in years. Don’t forget about your gas card and individual store accounts you might have open as well as your debit card that is tied directly to your bank.
Freeze Bank Accounts
If your bank accounts and money are threatened, call the bank to have the accounts frozen. You might discuss taking out some cash first to tide you over during this process to give you funds while the bank investigates and processes the fraud.
Put a Fraud Alert on Your Credit
Once your credit information is no longer protected you should put a fraud alert on your credit report. You can do this by calling any one of the three credit bureaus and the information should be passed on to the others. The fraud alert will last for 90 days and will keep thieves from opening new accounts in your name.
Complete an FTC ID Theft Avadavat
Developed by creditors and consumer advocates, this form will tell companies that you are a victim of fraud and not responsible for debts incurred by the thief. It will be required as you work to clean up the mess left behind.
File a Police Report
Filing a police report will help solidify your case. Be sure to ask the police to fax you a copy of the report for your records.
Change Online Passwords
Develop new passwords you’ve never used before and change all passwords and pin numbers online.
Contact the Social Security Administration
In the most severe cases of fraud, there is little you can do to prevent new accounts from being constantly opened and watching your credit report waiting for additional fraudulent activity with anxiety can cause undue stress. In these extreme situations, you might be issued a new social security number and a new corresponding credit history.