Identity theft occurs when someone uses another person’s personal information such as name, Social Security number, driver’s license number, credit card number, or other identifying information to take on that person’s identity to commit fraud or other crimes.
If your identity is stolen:
- File a police report with the local law enforcement agency where you reside.
- Contact Credit Report Agencies. Ask that a “fraud alert” be placed on your file. A “credit freeze” can also be requested through the credit bureaus.
- Contact Banking and Credit Card Companies. For any accounts that have been fraudulently accessed or opened, contact the security departments of the appropriate creditors or financial institutions.
- Report identity theft to the Federal Trade Commission (identitytheft.gov). They can help report and recover from identity theft through the creation of a recovery plan.