Actions After Identity Theft Has Happened
What to do AFTER Identity Theft Happens?
Are you a victim of identity theft? You need to take action—FAST. That way, you minimize the ID thief's opportunity to inflict further damage. You may also be able to limit your financial liability. Here, we overview a quick checklist of what to do if your personal information or identity has been stolen.
Quick! Limit your credit card liability to $50.
If you respond fast enough, credit cards such as Visa and MasterCard may limit your liability for identity theft losses to just $50. The same goes for band-issued credit and ATM cards—if you report the theft within two day. After that, if you report the loss within 60 days, your losses may be limited to $500. Wait longer than that, and you're usually out of luck and on the hook for the entire loss.
Priority #1: Reporting the fraud.
Reporting the crime is the first step in your efforts to reclaim your identity. Steps vary depending on the exact nature and scope of the crime, but here's a good "starter" list of the people you'll generally need to contact:
- Credit Reporting Agencies – The major agencies (Equifax, Experian and TransUnion) have entire departments dedicated to fraud. Ask the agencies to flag your report with fraud alerts, which warn companies not to issue credit to anyone under your name without contacting you first. Also, when you file a fraud alert, you're entitled to a free copy of your credit report, so grab one while you can.
- Creditors – Contact all your creditors that may be affected by the fraud. Cancel credit cards that have been used by thieves and open new accounts, asking that they be marked "closed at the consumer's request."
- The Police – File a police report with the local police department. You may also need to file a report in the locality where the theft occurred.
- Social Security Administration – If your SSN has been stolen, contact the Social Security Administration.
- Check Issuers/Agencies – If you think your checks may have been stolen, contact your bank and have your account closed immediately. Also, contact the major check-verification firms (Certegy at 1-800-437-5120 and Telecheck at 1-800-710-9898).
- ATM Card Issuers – Contact card issuers and cancel your accounts. Once the card are re-established, choose unique passwords you haven't used in the past.
- Telephone/Utility Service Providers – Contact your telephone (land line) company and tell them you're a victim of identity theft. Give them a password, and instruct them to not change your service unless that password is mentioned. If you have a cellular service provider, contact them immediately, too.
- Post Office – Identity thieves often use Change of Address forms to steer mail and merchandise their way. If you think this may have happened to you, ask your post office to put you in touch with the local postal inspector.
- Department of Motor Vehicles – If you suspect that a driver's license has been established in your name, contact your state Department of Motor Vehicles.
This list is by no means comprehensive or complete; it just represents a good starting point from which to start reclaiming your good name. Be vigilant, be patient, be persistent—and you'll be on your way back as soon as possible.
To get more education about identity theft prevention, what to do at work or at home, check the Identity Theft Prevention page.