Identity Theft: Steps to Take if You Think You've Been a Victim

In the first half of 2024, over 1 billion people were impacted by data breaches. According to research released in July 2024 by the Identity Theft Resource Center, approximately 1,571 breaches were reported during this period, affecting 1.07 billion individuals.

Due to the increase in scams and data breaches, if you believe you have been a victim of identity theft, there are several steps you can take to protect your identity.

1. Contact the three major credit reporting agencies and ask them to place fraud alerts and a credit freeze on your accounts. They will share it with the other reporting agencies.
   • Equifax - Information Services LLC - P.O Box 740256 Atlanta, GA 30348

     Phone Number: 866-349-5191

   • Experian -- P.O Box 4500 Allen, TX 75013

     Phone Number: 888-397-3742

   • Transunion -- P.O Box 2000 Chester, PA 19016

     Phone Number: 800-916-8800

2. Contact The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) online at IdentityTheft.gov or call

3. (877) 438-4338.

4. Contact the fraud department at our bank/other institutions where you have accounts.

If you are a victim of fraud or identity theft, you can request the credit reporting company to block fraudulent information, dispute incorrect data, and place a fraud alert on your report.

Security Freezes

A security freeze stops unauthorized credit, loans, and services in your name. You can request a freeze for free from each of the three credit reporting companies by phone, email, or online. With a freeze in place, businesses cannot access your credit report for new applications. Before you apply for new credit, you will have to temporarily lift the freeze following the procedures of the credit reporting company. 

Freeze requests typically take anywhere from one to three business days depending on how you request it (phone, email, or online) and unfreezes can take as little as on hour if requested online or by phone.

Additional Resources

There are other steps you can take to help safeguard your identity in the case your information has been compromised.

• Contact the security or fraud departments of each business where an account was opened or charged without your knowledge.
• Follow up in writing, with copies of supporting documents.
• Keep copies of documents and records of your conversations about the theft.
• Complete an ID Theft Affidavit and include it with your written statement.
• File a report with law enforcement officials and provide copies to any creditors needing proof of the crime.
• Report to the creditor the accounts that you know, or believe, have been tampered with or opened fraudulently.
• Report identity theft to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau by submitting a complaint. Your complaint helps law enforcement officials across the country in their investigations. Visit the CFPB's website to find out more information on submitting an identity theft complaint.
• Get a free personal recovery plan that walks you through each recovery step, pre-fills letters/forms for you to send, and tracks your progress on IdentityTheft.gov.
  

For more tips on avoiding identity theft, read our blog here: Seven Ways to Avoid Identity Theft (+ Four Ways to Report It)