Alert behavior can help you avoid trouble
Identity theft is an all-too-common crime that involves someone using your personal or financial information without your consent. You can monitor activity by ordering a free credit report every year.
Pay Attention to Warning Signs:
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Unusual or unexplainable charges on your bills
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Phone calls or bills for accounts, products, or services that you do not have
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Failure to receive regular bills or mail
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New, strange accounts appearing on your credit report
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Unexpected denial of your credit card
Take Swift Action if You’re a Victim:
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Visit IdentityTheft.gov – This is a trusted, one-stop resource to help you report and recover from identity theft. Information provided here includes checklists, sample letters, and links to other resources.
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Place a fraud alert on your credit file by contacting a major credit reporting bureau (Trans Union, Experian, or Equifax), which will then notify the other bureaus
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Alert affected businesses over the phone and in writing, and close tampered accounts or those opened without your consent
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File a police report and request a copy for yourself because you may need it for businesses requiring proof of the crime
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Report the crime to the Federal Trade Commission
