Reporting Identity Theft

The Steps You Need To Take When Reporting Identity Theft

Reporting identity theft is something which must be done immediately you realize that it has occurred. Many banks will have procedures in place where the accounts are not frozen completely until a police report has been filed, although they will of course be temporarily frozen. Even more seriously, if your information is used for criminal purposes before the theft is reported, you could find yourself in trouble. One of the biggest problems people face when they first notice something suspicious is that they panic because they are not trained to deal with the situation.

As identity theft is increasingly common, it makes sense to prepare in advance for how you will deal with it. When your bank accounts and credit facilities are under threat, it is essential that you act quickly and act well. Practising your drill, even having it written out in advance so no steps are missed, can make a vital difference in reducing the damage. The first step is to contact all of the banks and credit card companies you have accounts with, and get those accounts temporarily frozen.

Following this, it is necessary to inform each of the three major credit reference agencies, as identity thieves will usually try to take out loans in the stolen identity. Putting a marker on your credit file will prevent these loans from being taken out. After this, you will need to close any accounts on which you suspect the information may be in the wrong hands. Get your money out and get the account closed as quickly as possible. Get another account opened so you can carry on your daily business while the problems are dealt with.

The FTC must also be informed. Keep copies of any communications with the FTC so that they can be shown to other agencies. The police should also be informed, as a criminal offense has taken place. This can often be a frustrating and difficult experience, as many local police departments are not trained to deal with identity theft cases. Hopefully, this is a situation which will improve in the future as there are ever greater numbers of these cases being reported. It is important to get a police report if you can, as it can be shown to other agencies. Show the police proof of the theft, and the report you have filed with the FTC.

Reporting identity theft is not an easy process, and hopefully in the future steps will be taken to make it easier. For now, the important steps are to get everything reported as quickly as possible, firstly to the banking and credit organizations who you have accounts with, and then to the relevant authorities. Expect to have to put in more time than you should, and get new accounts opened if you can, so that you can carry on your normal life in the meantime. Know in advance what you have to do in reporting identity theft.

 

 

 

 

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