Defend Against Fraud

Defending Against Identity Theft and Other Fraud.

What to do if you’re a victim of identity theft or other fraud:

• Place a “Fraud Alert” on your credit reports immediately when you see inaccuracies or invalid information pertaining to your financial activity (this will help to ensure due diligence is performed before any accounts are opened in your name)
• Contact the fraud department of each company in which an account was opened in your name
• Follow up in writing with supporting documentation
• Request written verification that each dispute has been dealt with and the fraudulent debts discharged
• Keep copies of all correspondence and records of telephonic contact (names, dates and times, results of conversation)
• File a police report to assist in correcting your credit report and to document proof of the crime
• Report the crime to the Federal Trade Commission (ftc.gov/idtheft or 877-438-4338)
• Call all credit card companies and your financial institutions to advise them of the situation
• Contact the Social Security Department (800-269-0271) if you suspect your number was used without your knowledge
• Contact your Department of Motor Vehicles to obtain a new driver’s license and ensure a duplicate has not been issued in your name
• Contact the U.S. Postal Inspectors Office to report crimes involving stolen mail/use of mail in a fraudulent scheme
• Contact your health insurer and advise of the identity theft – criminals may use your health care information to obtain benefits (this could lead to false information being added to the profile placing the victim’s health at risk)