Assessment & Recovery

The following steps can help you take back control of your life. There is rarely a quick and easy solution to this problem. Recovering from identity theft can be a long and complicated process. However, there are some powerful tools to assist you.

• If your personal belongings were stolen, make a list of what has been stolen: credit cards, driver's license, checks, etc. If you have a personal inventory of your wallet or purse, gather those items and compile the list.
• Get a credit report from all 3 major bureaus: Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion.
  
  Use these reports to determine offending account activity. Make a list of any open accounts or transactions that were not initiated by you.
  
  Individuals in the U.S. are entitled to one free credit file disclosure (credit report) every 12 months. To get a free credit report visit Annual Credit Report.

• First ensure that you have enough money on hand or a means of acquiring money before closing or freezing accounts.
• Contact your credit card companies and any unsolicited credit companies listed in your credit report. Inform them that you are an identity theft victim and request the closure or suspension of the accounts. Many credit card companies have some fraud protection, and even if they do not, you can minimize damage by quickly having these accounts closed.
• Contact your bank, inform them of the situation. This is especially important if ATM cards or checks have been stolen.
• Contact other card issuers, such as the Department of Motor Vehicles for your drivers license or the Social Security Administration for your social security number.
• File a local police report. This may take some time due to jurisdiction issues, but make sure this gets completed.
• File a report with the Federal Trade Commission. You can contact the FTC via phone 1-877-IDTHEFT (438-4338) or via the internet www.consumer.gov/idtheft
• Inform the Passport Office that your identity has been stolen.
• If you are in the military, place an
  Active Duty

  Active Duty Alert

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  A notice that can be placed on a credit report that states the individual is on active duty. "The alert requires creditors to verify your identity before granting credit in your name."
  -Federal Trade Commission (ftc.gov)
  alert on your credit report.
• You may want to consult an attorney to help you deal with creditors and authorities especially if the identity thief has used your name while participating in illegal activities.
• Keep detailed documentation on your efforts and contacts during the recovery process

• When contacting businesses by phone, it is a good idea to follow up in writing and request that the company reply in writing. This action provides a written record of your interactions and legal protection in some cases.
• When dealing with authorities and financial organizations, keep a log of time, date, names, and phone numbers. This information can be invaluable when building a case against an identity thief.
• Remove your name from mail marketing lists, telemarketer lists, and pre-approved credit lists.
  • Mail Marketing Removal
  • Telemarketing Removal
  • Pre-Approved Credit Removal
• If the identity thief is apprehended write a victim impact statement to the judge presiding over the case. For more information on how to make your voice heard contact your local victim-witness assistance program.
  (PRC)

  Privacy Rights Clearinghouse / UCAN

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  Fact Sheet 17(a): Identity Theft Victims Guide

Statistics >>

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All clipart courtesy Microsoft™ Office Online.