Millions of people every year are risking ID theft, from a variety of types of fraud that can be anything from mail being stolen, credit card skimming, or even online hacking. Making sure that your credit report and your name are free from any sort of fraudulent information might seem overwhelming and tedious, but you need to act quickly if you find you’re a victim of ID theft.
Here’s a quick look at some of the steps you’ll need to take after you contact the police.
Replace any Identification that was Stolen or Lost
If you happen to have had your Social Security card stolen or you lost it, and are in Louisiana, you can easily replace it at the office for social security Baton Rouge LA. You might also decide to go online to request a replacement card and this can be done from anywhere.
It’s important that you never carry your Social Security card in your wallet so that in the event your wallet is stolen, the thief won’t have access to that crucial number. If you find that your SSN has been fraudulently used, you can get in touch with the Office of the Inspector General and create an online account so that you can get a copy of your latest Personal Earnings and Benefits Statement so that you can check it for any anomalies.
Credit Report Fraud Alert
Fraud is good at having a negative impact on your credit report that can have long-lasting effects. This means that ensuring your credit is protected from any further damage needs to be at the top of your priorities.
Get in touch with any of the three agencies for credit reporting to report identity theft and request a fraud alert. When you do this, what’s known as a fraud alert will be placed on all three credit files. These alerts don’t cost anything and stay on your report for an entire year. If you still don’t feel safe, when that year has passed, you can request another one. These alerts make it hard for people with your information to open any accounts in your name because it makes businesses contact you before they issue any credit line.
Notify Banks and Creditors
This is another thing that needs to be done ASAP. Most of the time, credit cards will have zero liability policies along with other types of protection for their cardholders who happen to be victims of identity theft. However, when it comes to credit card fraud, you’re also protected by something called the Fair Credit Billing Act. This specifies that the most you’re liable for when it comes to charges that aren’t authorized is $50.
Report the Theft to the Federal Trade Commission
You can report the theft to the FTC simply by completing a form online at IdentityTheft.gov. You can also call 877-438-4338 if you’re more comfortable speaking to a real person. By doing this, you’ll get a plan of recovery from them, but additionally, you’ll get an Identity Theft Report. This acts as proof that you’ve been a victim of ID theft.
Additional steps to take include things like checking your credit reports, freezing your credit, removing any fraudulent info from your credit reports, and changing all of your online passwords. You might also want to contact your utility and phone companies in the event that the thief attempts to open new accounts in your name by utilizing a utility bill for proof of residence.
For additional information and more detailed steps that you should take if this happens to you, the FTC guidelines can be found on their website at IdentityTheft.gov.