If you think you may be the victim of identity theft, you should immediately take the following steps:

1. Contact the Federal Trade Commission at 877-438-4338 or access its online complaint form.

For more information on recognizing and dealing with identity theft, visit the FTC’s identity theft site.

2. Contact one of the three major credit bureaus, report the problem and request a fraud alert and/or credit freeze on your credit reports.

TransUnion
transunion.com
800-680-7289 (fraud hotline)
800-916-8800 (Order report)
P.O. Box 6790
Fullerton, CA 92634

You only need to call one of the three bureaus – the company you call is required to contact the other two, and within 24 hours all three of the bureaus will be on alert. In addition, on request the company you call will provide you with a free copy of your credit report. This can help you identify any new accounts that may have been opened. Pay particular attention to the section of the report that lists inquiries from new companies. Contact these companies immediately and have them remove any pending or new accounts from their system.

3. File a Police Report – Retain a copy of the report or the report number as proof of the crime. While most police departments throughout the country are increasingly aware of the dramatic impact of identity theft, some local authorities may be reluctant to take your report. If this happens, ask to file a “Miscellaneous Incidents” report. You can also try another jurisdiction, such as the state police, or contact your state Attorney General’s office to find out if state law requires the police to take reports for identity theft.

4. Contact Creditors’ Fraud Departments

• • Close any affected accounts.
  • Speak with someone in the security or fraud department of each creditor and describe what has occurred.
  • Follow up in writing with a letter or affidavit as well as copies (not originals) of any supporting documents.
  • Contact the following check-verification companies if your checks have been lost or stolen:
    • TeleCheck: 800-710-9898 or 1-800-927-0188
    • Certegy, Inc.: 800-437-5120
    • International Check Services: 800-631-9656
    • CheckRite: 800-766-2748
    • Chexsystems: 800-428-9623
    • CheckCenter/CrossCheck: 800-843-0760

5. Keep Good Records

• • Maintain complete, accurate records of all the steps you take in reporting identity theft.
  • When you notify various businesses and agencies, do so both by phone and in writing. Record the date you send any correspondence and how you send it. It’s a good idea to send all correspondence by certified mail, return receipt requested.
  • Keep a date/time log of phone calls, including the names of people with whom you speak and what they tell you.
  • Keep copies of any correspondence, along with the names, phone numbers and addresses of anyone you contact. This will be extremely important if you have to prepare a case to recover damages.

Other Steps:

• • If your Social Security card has been stolen, contact the Social Security Administration for a replacement card.
  • If the theft involves your mail, contact the Postal Inspection Service, the primary law-enforcement arm of the U.S. Postal Service.
  • If your driver’s license has been stolen, contact the issuing office to cancel it and obtain a replacement.

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CSP #576097 Exp. 8/20/25