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What to Do if You are a Victim of ID Theft
Don’t panic.
Identity theft is a criminal act, and like any criminal act, it has a powerful emotional effect on its victims. Initial reactions will include anger and a sense of shock. Feeling terrible is normal. But it is also important to stay calm and take quick action to minimize the damage, and to regain your sense of control of your situation.
Depending on exactly what has happened, there may be many steps you will have to take. You can’t do everything at once, so prioritize – do the most important things first.
Overall Recommendation
Keep a written log of all your communication. Include the date, time and the person contacted as well as a summary of the conversation.
Your log will be a tremendous help in working though the recovery process, giving you quick reference for telephone numbers that you have to call back, and it will invaluable if you get involved in any legal wrangling in the aftermath.
Highest Priority – Things to Do Immediately - Report to Credit Agencies
Call the fraud division number at each of the three major credit agencies. Place a “fraud alert” with each one. If your wallet, purse or PDA were stolen, state when and where this occurred. The alert should say not to allow anyone to open a new account or to make any changes in the names of authorized users or billing addresses without your permission. Provide telephone numbers where you can be contacted.
New Jersey residents can also place a credit “freeze” on their credit file information. For more information go to www.njdobi.org/creditfreeze.htm.
- Report to Authorities
File a report with your local police department. If you have lost your wallet or purse, provide a list of contents – which you already prepared in the event of such an emergency – and give them any additional details they ask for or that you remember. Request a copy of the report to be sent to you, in case you need it later. Be sure to write down the name and telephone number of the officer who takes your report .
If your wallet or purse are stolen while you are at work, contact the human resources department and security department. If you’re in a public facility such as a mall, airport or hotel, contact the security staff.
If you have lost your purse or wallet, you’ll need to take the following actions:- Credit Cards: Call the issuer and report your missing credit card. Request a replacement card with new account number.
- Driver’s License: In New Jersey, you must report a stolen license to the police department. Then visit any New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) office. You must have with you: proof of age and identification, and proof of Social Security (or exemption). There is an $11 fee. (If you’ve lost your automobile registration and insurance card, see the information in the next section.)
- Passport: U.S. citizens must contact the U.S. State Department to complete and submit a Form DS-64, Statement Regarding a Lost or Stolen Passport. Go to travel.state.gov/passport_services.html for more information.
- Green Card: Contact the Immigration and Naturalization Service as well as your country’s embassy.
- Checking Accounts, Savings Accounts and Check Cashing Cards. Contact the banks and speak with a bank manager or fraud investigator. You may need to close your existing accounts and open new accounts. Be sure to write down the names and phone numbers of everyone who assists you.
- Supermarket Check Cashing Cards: Contact the supermarket to cancel the card and request a replacement.
- Long Distance Calling Cards: Call your telephone company to report your lost or stolen calling card. AT&T: 1-800-225-5288. Verizon: 800-255-2255. Sprint: 800-877-4646. MCI: 888-663-7823.
Important – Do Within 48 Hours- File an Identity Theft Complaint Form: If you have been the victim of identity theft, you can also file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The information you provide is up to you. However, if you don't provide your name or other information, it won’t be possible for the FTC to refer, respond to, or investigate your complaint or request.
The FTC serves as the federal clearinghouse for complaints by victims of identity theft. While the FTC does not resolve individual consumer problems, your complaint helps the agency investigate fraud, and can lead to law enforcement action. The FTC enters Internet, telemarketing, identity theft and other fraud-related complaints.
To file an identity Theft Complaint Online, go to https://rn.ftc.gov/pls/dod/ widtpubl$.startup?Z_ORG_CODE=PU03.
- Social Security number follow up: If your Social Security number has been compromised, you need to follow up with any other companies or organizations that use your Social Security number as your account identification. Ask them to close the account and open a new one with a different account number.
- Automobile Registration and Insurance Cards: Contact your insurance agency to get a replacement insurance card. Some experts recommend asking the insurance company to give you a new policy number. You can get a duplicate registration from the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission either by going to the MVC agency with proper documentation, or by mail. For details, go to the www.state.nj.us/mvc/cit_registration/ v_reg_family_duplicates.html.
- Library Cards: Report the lost card and arrange with the library staff to transfer the information about any materials you have checked out to a new, replacement card.
- All other Cards: Contact the issuer and ask to have your old account cancelled and to provide you with a new account and new card.
Less Important – Within a Week- Supermarket Savings Cards and Warehouse Club Cards: As long as these are not used for check cashing, don’t worry about them. The next time you go to the store, request replacements.
- Discount Cards and Passes: Contact the issuers and see if they have a replacement policy.
- Automatic Payment Accounts Using your Charge Accounts: If you have any accounts such as E-Z Pass or an Internet Service Provider that is paid by automatic charges to a credit card, contact the account by phone or online to change your credit card information to use your new account information.
- Prepaid Telephone Cards: Write them off as a loss.
One Week Later- Order copies of your credit report: Look for any suspicious entries
- Go online and check your credit card accounts (most credit card issuers provide online account access). Check for unusual activity.
Within a Month- Check all your account statements carefully when they arrive in the mail.
Six Months Later- Order copies of your credit report from the major credit agencies. Recheck them carefully for any suspicious entries.
October 20, 2003
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