Act fast. Take these steps to ensure that you suffer as little as possible
from this crime:
Open a folder and begin to track everything you do, who you call, write,
email, and all phone numbers and contact information you're given (the list of
resources at the end of this article offers a good starting point)
Contact the police and file a report
Contact the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and file a report
Pull out your photocopied/list of wallet/purse items, and begin to
cancel/notify the proper authorities, prioritizing by credit cards, bank cards
& check cashing cards, driver's license, SSN, medical cards, birth
certificate, library cards, telephone calling cards (kiss your pre-paid calling
cards goodbye) and movie rental cards
Contact the consumer credit agencies and have them place a "fraud alert" in
your credit file
What Is a Fraud Alert?
A fraud alert is a notice national consumer credit agencies place in your
file alerting potential creditors and others that you may have been the victim
of identity theft. A fraud alert makes it more difficult for someone to get
credit in your name. It may also delay your own applications for credit. You can
have a fraud alert placed in your file just by calling any one of the three
agencies, which will then notify the other two.
There are two kinds of alerts: an initial alert, which lasts 90 days, and an
extended alert, which lasts seven years. You will likely also have to provide
other information regarding your identity, and complete an identity theft
report. For details, go to www.consumer.gov/idtheft.
Quizzes and Fact Sheets
Can't imagine you're at risk? Take this identity theft quiz and find out: