How to Report Identity Theft

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How to report Identity Theft
Call The Federal Trade Commission to report identity theft and to place an alert for fraud or freeze on your credit files.
By Bev O'Shea personal finance writer | MSN Money, Credit.com, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Orlando Sentinel Bev O'Shea is a former NerdWallet authority on consumer credit, scams and identity theft. She has a bachelor's degree of journalism at Auburn University and a master's in education from Georgia State University. Before joining NerdWallet she worked for daily newspapers, MSN Money and Credit.com. Her work has appeared on The New York Times, The Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times, MarketWatch, USA Today, MSN Money and other publications. Twitter: @BeverlyOShea.





Oct 18 19


Written by Kathy Hinson Lead Assigning Editor Personal financial, credit scoring, debt and money management Kathy Hinson leads the core personal finance team at NerdWallet. In the past, she worked for 18 years with The Oregonian in Portland in positions such as copy desk chief and team director of design and editing. Her previous experience includes news and copy editing for a variety of Southern California newspapers, including the Los Angeles Times. She received a bachelor's degree in journalism and mass communications in Iowa's University of Iowa.







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Notifying the authorities of identity theft to the Federal Trade Commission is your best way to alert authorities of fraud. It's also crucial to set an alert to fraud on your credit account at a minimum -- and consider going for greater protection by blocking your credit.
Here's how you can report to officials and organizations, so you can start your journey to recovery.
Are you in need of a credit review?
Create an account today to get your credit report free and score available all the time.










Inform the FTC about identity theft. FTC
Contact the Federal Trade Commission at or 877-438-4338. This preserves your rights, including your ability to get the fraudulent accounts removed from your credit file.
At the site there is also a chance to download an individual checklist that will help you repair the damages. After reporting you have been the victim of identity theft with FTC and the FTC, you can choose to file a report to your local police department. Take a copy of the FTC report along with you.
If you suspect that you have been hacked via mail theft .
>> MORE:
Set up a fraud alert with credit bureaus
If you think your personal information has been compromised, you should make an initial on your credit file so that applications in your name get extra scrutiny.
This alert is made available any person who is concerned about identity theft. Contact any bureau, and it will take care of notifying others:
800-525-6285
888-397-3742
800-680-7289

The alert grants you another set of free credit reports that go beyond the ones you get every year by . They can assist you in identifying fraudulent credit accounts.
Contact the businesses that are involved.
If you have a charge that is fraudulent on an existing credit card generally there is no liability in the event that you immediately report the problem to the credit card company. It will then be removed and you'll be issued an alternative card with an entirely different number. Remember to update autopay accounts and think about grouping them on a single card to simplify things should this happen again.
If you need assistance to remove bogus charges from accounts make use of the .
If new accounts were opened and you want to close them, contact Customer Service for help closing the accounts. The FTC has a you can use if written notice is required. You may be asked to submit a copy of the police report.
In all cases, keep records of the date and time you called, whom you spoke with and what steps you were told to take.
You might want to consider a credit freeze or extended fraud alert
Check your credit reports to be sure that everything is taken care of. Access information from TransUnion via NerdWallet.
Then, think about protecting yourself in the future. It is the most secure method to make sure your credit won't be used without your consent. Credit freezes that are made with completely free.
If you aren't interested in apply freezes, you could receive an extended fraud alert that runs up to seven years. As with the first one, you need contact only one bureau. But this time you'll need to submit documentation, which includes the identity theft record
Equifax Send mail to Equifax Information Services LLC, P.O. 105069 Box, Atlanta, GA 30348-5069 or fax it to 888-826-0497.
Experian: Mail Experian: Send to Experian: Send to P.O. Box 9554, Allen, TX 75013 or .
TransUnion Contact TransUnion: Send your request and documentation the following address: TransUnion, P.O. Box 2000, Chester, PA 19016.



Author bio Bev O'Shea worked as a writer for credit at NerdWallet. Her work has been featured on the New York Times, Washington Post, MarketWatch and elsewhere.







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