Identity Theft

When your private financial information gets into the wrong hands, the consequences can be devastating. There are many ways you can help protect yourself daily, from taking precautions while online to checking your credit report periodically.

Take this quiz to see if you have the skills to avoid identity theft.

Identity Theft Brochure

If you fall victim to identity theft, it is important that you act quickly. Learn how to contact the correct agencies and file the necessary reports to minimize the level of damage to your finances.

Available for download in English or Spanish.

Steps to Take First in Case of Identity Theft

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Who To Contact

Business: Contact the fraud department of the companies where you know the fraud has occurred and ask them to close or freeze those accounts, so no new charges can be added. Change your logins, passwords and PINs for all of your accounts.

Credit Bureaus: Place a free, one-year fraud alert by contacting one of the three credit bureaus listed below. The credit bureau you contact must coordinate with the other two bureaus to ensure they place the fraud alert on your credit report. This alert advises lenders to take extra precautions before extending new credit in your name. This prevents thieves from opening new credit cards in your name. The alert will remain on your report for one year but can be removed sooner at your request.

What to Know About Credit Freezes & Fraud Alerts

Credit Reports: Get your free credit reports from Equifax, Experian and Transunion at AnnualCreditReport.com or call 1-877-322-8228. Review your reports and make note of any accounts or transactions that you don’t recognize. This is to help you with the next step of reporting the identity theft to federal and local authorities.

Federal Trade Commission (FTC): Report identity theft to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at IdentityTheft.gov and include as many details as possible. IdentityTheft.gov will create an identity theft report and recovery plan that you can print out. If you choose to create an account, IdentityTheft.gov will update your plan as needed, track your progress and prefill forms and letters for you. The Federal Trade Commission's Identity Theft Hotline is 877-IDTHEFT (877-438-4338).

The FTC does not investigate individual identity theft cases, but they can share information that you give them, such as the identity theft report number, with investigators nationwide.

Law Enforcement: Report identity theft to your local law enforcement agency. Take your FTC identity theft report with a photo ID, proof of address and any other proof you have of the theft, like bills or an IRS statement. If the crime occurred somewhere other than where you live, you may wish to report it to the law enforcement agency in that jurisdiction as well. Request a copy of this report as you may need it to complete other steps in the process of recovering from identity theft.

Credit Bureau Contact Information

Protect Your Child's Identity

Protect Yourself from Identity Theft

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Simple Steps to Take

Practice Safe Internet Use

Delete spam emails that ask for personal information, and keep your anti-virus and anti-spyware software up-to-date. Shop online only with secure web pages that have a lock symbol in the address bar of your browser window and make sure their web address (url) begins with "https". Never send credit card numbers, social security numbers and other personal information via email.

Destroy Private Records

Tear up or shred credit card statements; ATM, credit, or debit card receipts; bank deposit receipts; loan solicitations; and other documents that contain private financial information.

Secure Your Mail

Empty your mailbox as soon as you can. When mailing bill payments and checks, consider dropping them off at the post office or a secure mailbox rather then raising the flag. Place a hold on your mail when you are away from home for several days.

Be Careful With Your Social Security Number
Your social security number is a major target for identity thieves because it can give them access to your credit report and bank accounts. Never carry your card with you. Instead, memorize your number and keep the card in a secure place at home or in a safe deposit box. Never write or print your social security number on checks.

Check Your Credit Report

Obtain and review your credit report for suspicious activity. You can request a free copy of your report at www.AnnualCreditReport.com or by contacting any one of the three major credit reporting agencies. Request your report from one of the credit bureaus every 4 months. Because of breaches you may be able to check your report with more frequency online.

Beware of Scams

Always be on the defensive with your private information. Never give out personal information to telemarketers or respond to emails from someone claiming to represent your bank, credit card issuer, a government agency, a charity, or other organization. If you think the request is legitimate, contact the company directly to confirm their claims.

Consider A Security Freeze

A security freeze on your credit report prevents third parties from receiving a copy of your credit report without your approval. The Fair Credit Reporting Act allows you to place a security freeze on your credit report free of charge. You will need to request the security freeze with each of the three credit bureaus online, by phone or by mail. You will not be able to open new lines of credit if a security freeze is in place. A security freeze can be temporarily lifted for a period of time or removed. To request a temporary lift or to remove a security freeze, you will have to contact each of the three credit bureaus. If you request a temporary lift online or by phone, a credit bureau must lift a freeze within one hour. By mail it may take up to three business days after receiving your request. This is the most secure way to protect your credit. NOTE: After receiving your freeze request, each bureau will provide a unique personal identification number (PIN) or password that you will need to lift the freeze by phone or mail. Keep this PIN in a safe place.

Visit IdentityTheft.gov for a complete list of steps to take if identity theft occurs.

Protect Your Privacy

Limit Your Losses

Get your FREE Credit Reports from Equifax, Experian & TransUnion

Visit AnnualCreditReport.com to request your free credit reports. To ensure no one but you can access your credit information, you will be asked some security questions that only you know. Make sure to have your records on hand. Avoid other sites offering free credit reports, they could be scams. AnnualCreditReport.com is the only federally authorized place to get free credit reports.

Federal Law entitles you to a free copy of your credit report every 12 months from each credit bureau. It is a good idea to stagger your requests every 4 months so you can access your report throughout the year. For now, everyone in the United States can get a free online credit report each week from each of the three credit bureaus at AnnualCreditReport.com.

Read your report carefully. If you spot mistakes this Federal Trade Commission about Disputing Errors on Your Credit Reports article will guide you on what to do. If you find suspicious activity, report it at IdentityTheft.gov.

Read about the Equifax Data Breach and Equifax Data Breach Settlement

Back to Credit and Debt

	Credit Card	ATM/Debit Card
You report your card’s loss before someone uses it	You aren’t responsible for any charges you didn’t authorize	You aren’t responsible for any transactions you didn’t authorize
You report your card’s loss after someone uses it	The maximum you might be responsible for is $50	What you’re responsible for depends on how quickly you reported it
Your account number is used but your card isn’t lost or stolen	You aren’t responsible for any charges you didn’t authorize	You aren’t responsible for any transactions you didn’t authorize if you reported the loss within 60 calendar days after your statement is sent to you

If you report your ATM or debit card lost or stolen...	Your maximum loss is...
…before any unauthorized charges are made	$0
…within 2 business days after you learn about the loss or theft	$50
…more than 2 business days after you learn about the loss or theft, but within 60 calendar days after your statement is sent to you	$500
…more than 60 calendar days after your statement is sent to you	All the money taken from your ATM/debit card account, and possibly more — for example, money in accounts linked to your debit account