ID Theft Damage Control
Identity theft is one of the fastest growing crimes in the country and no matter how many precautions one takes, you can still fall prey to ID theft. Take the first step in preventative measures by checking your Experian®, Equifax®, and TransUnion® credit reports. If you become a victim of identity theft, taking immediate action can help to minimize the damage to your credit.
What to do if you suspect ID theft
Here are some considerations if you suspect someone else is using your identity:
- Contact the fraud department of one of the three national credit reporting companies immediately. One call to any of the three national credit reporting companies will place a “fraud alert” on all three of your credit reports.
- Experian: PO Box 2104, Allen, Texas 75013-2104
Phone: 888.397.3742
Online: www.Experian.com - Equifax: PO Box 740241, Atlanta, GA 30374
Phone: 800.525.6285
Online: www.Equifax.com - TransUnion: PO Box 1000, Chester, PA 19022
Phone: 800.680.7289
Online: www.TransUnion.com
- Experian: PO Box 2104, Allen, Texas 75013-2104
- File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission.
- Phone: Identity Theft hotline at (toll-free) 877.IDTHEFT (877.438.4338), TDD: 202.326.2502,
- By mail: Identity Theft Clearinghouse, Federal Trade Commission, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20580,
- Online: www.consumer.gov/idtheft
- Contact the Social Security Administration’s Fraud Hotline: 800.269.0271.
- Contact your bank and all creditors by phone and in writing regarding your accounts.
- Contact your local police to see if state consumer protection laws apply.
- Contact your local postmaster if you suspect mail was used to commit the fraud.
- US Postal Service Crime Hot Line: 800.654.8896.
- Visit The Identity Theft Resource Center at www.idtheftcenter.org. It is a nationwide non-profit organization that provides support to victims and broadens public awareness.
- Contact Call For Action, Inc., a non-profit group that provides phone counseling to identity theft victims: 866.434.6854.
