Protect Your Identity: Resources

How to request a free Fraud Alert on your credit files:

In order to ensure you are issued free credit reports, contact the credit bureau’s DIRECT LINE for reporting fraud.

Instruct them to flag your file with a fraud alert including a statement that creditors should get your permission before opening any new accounts in your name.

1. Ask them for copies of your credit report(s). Credit bureaus must give you a free copy of your report if it is inaccurate because of suspected fraud.
   
   
2. Review your reports carefully to make sure no additional or fraudulent accounts have been opened in your name or unauthorized changes made to your existing accounts. 
   
   
3. Be diligent in following up on your accounts. In the months following an incident, order new copies of your reports to verify your corrections and changes and to make sure no new fraudulent activity has occurred.
   
   
4. If you find that any accounts have been tampered with or opened fraudulently, close them immediately. To ensure you do not become responsible for any debts or charges, use the ID Theft Affidavit Form developed by the Federal Trade Commission to help make your case with creditors.

• Federal Trade Commission's Identity Theft Hotline
  • 1-877-ID-THEFT (1-877-438-4338); TTY: 1-866-653-4261 Note: The FTC telephone line will present an automated attendant with options to hear information on ID theft, credit bureaus, requesting fraud alerts, etc. Callers also have the option of speaking with an ID Theft Counselor, Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. until 5 p.m. Spanish translation is available as part of the automated attendant services provided to callers, in addition to the services provided by the ID Theft Counselors.
    
    
• Federal Trade Commission: ID Theft http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft/
  • This is the main U.S. government site for identity-theft information. The FTC also maintains a database of identity theft cases used by law enforcement agencies for investigations.
    
    
• Social Security Online http://www.ssa.gov/
  • The Social Security Administration gives information on how to report the fraudulent use of a Social Security card and how to correct your earnings record.
    
    
• Identity Theft http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/idtheft.htm
  
  
• Privacy Rights Clearing House Identity Theft Resources http://www.privacyrights.org/identity.htm
  • Find statistics, fact sheets, and government records about identity theft.
    
    
• Identity Theft Resource Center http://www.idtheftcenter.org/
  • This non-profit organization provides consumer alerts, scam warnings, and instructions for victims of identity theft.
    
    
• Free Annual Credit Report  http://www.annualcreditreport.com/
  • You are entitled to receive one free credit file disclosure every 12 months from each of the nationwide consumer credit reporting companies.
    
    
• Annual Credit Report Request Service
  1-877-322-8228
  P.O. Box 105283
  Atlanta, GA 30348-5283

For additional information about identity theft, visit the

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