How Do I Respond To Identity Theft?

Identity theft is increasing in its instance. While prevention is still the best way to manage it, prevention does not always work and you could wake up and find some bill collector calling you about a bill someone else ran up in your name. This page is here because identity theft is quite often a computer crime, facilitated by phishing messages that users respond to. Computer Knowledge is not an identity theft expert and you should use the resources linked here to respond to any theft of your identity; they are the experts. Consider these general guidelines...

Immediately

Contact the three largest credit-reporting agencies and report the identity theft. Ask them to place a "fraud alert" on your account. This will be good for 90 days. Later, with some documentation, you can extend this alert for up to seven years.

• Equifax. Phone (888) 766-0008
• Experian. Phone (800) 311-4769
• TransUnion. Phone (800) 680-7289

Get an ID theft report from your local police. Document the fraudulent accounts and any illegal actions the thief has taken. Include the thief's address if you know it but DO NOT make any contact with the thief yourself. This could be dangerous. Do not expect the local police to investigate; they simply don't have the resources most of the time. You could, however, get lucky so at least ask. The victim's report, however, is important as any creditor that receives a copy of this report cannot pursue you for the debt and can't turn it over to any collection agency by federal law.

Quick As You Can

Contact security/fraud departments at any institution you had credit with. This includes all major credit cards but also includes brokerages, mortgage companies, and even your local grocery store if you have an open account. Alert them to the ID theft and ask that they contact you if there is any activity on the account.

Contact any institutions you've found that have issued credit to the thief. Ask that the account be "Closed at Consumer's Request" instead of being reported as lost or stolen card. The latter could affect your credit report. Also ask that the account be "permanently removed" as a soft-closed account could be reopened by the thief calling the institution.

Do not close accounts that are not affected by the ID theft. Doing so could adversly affect your credit standing.

Your bank should be contacting check guarantee companies about the ID theft to alert them. However, they may not do so in a timely manner. You can get a jump on things by contacting the check guarantee companies directly.

• Certegy. Phone (800) 770-3792
• ChexSystems. Phone (800) 428-9623
• Cross Check. Phone (800) 843-0760
• Global Payments. Phone (800) 560-2960
• SCAN. Phone (800) 262-7771
• TeleCheck. Phone (800) 710-9898

Make checks of both criminal and civil courts. You want to make certain the thief has not been involved in any court activities that could harm you. The last thing you need to find out the hard way is that the thief has been sued for not paying a large bill and a court judgment is now outstanding on you. Or, worse, there is an arrest warrant out for you.

• Civil. Search at Knowx. If you find a suit against you then you should contact the relevant court for a copy of the court records. Then, contact the office(s) of the attorney(s) involved and get the matter resolved.
• Criminal. Have your local police run a background check on you. Hope that your name does not surface, but if it does you may have to hire an attorney to contact the police or district attorney in the area involved to clear the matter up.
• National. Ask the US Department of Justice to search the National Criminal Database for you. If found there you will need to work with them to get your name removed. Phone (202) 514-2000.

General

Don't pay any bills incurred by the thief. Collection agencies can be brutal and these bills can add up to large numbers as interest accrues but they are not your bills. If you pay any of the bills you are effectively acknowledging them and that can hurt any criminal or civil actions taken later against the thief.

Log your time and expenses. By keeping close track of everything you do in a log you may have a tax deduction (IRS Tax Code Section 165(c)). These logs can also be handy if you later bring suit against any credit grantors for willful actions taken after your notification to them. Also, out-of-pocket expenses can be ordered to be paid to you from the thief if you get lucky and the thief is prosecuted.

More Information

The following sites are the experts in the field of identity theft and should be contacted for further information.

• Federal Trade Commission. Phone (877) 438-4338
• Identity Theft Prevention and Survival. Phone (800) 725-0807
• Identity Theft Resource Center. Phone (858) 693-7935
• Privacy Rights Clearinghouse. Phone (619) 298-3396