What to Do If You Become the Victim of Identity Theft
Posted on by Townsend Myers
According to a study by Javelin, a research firm, identity theft affected over 14 million Americans in 2019. Considering its frequency, this is a threat you should take seriously. If someone steals your personal information, there are steps you can take to rectify the situation and protect yourself from future attacks.
Notify the Authorities
Your first step should be notifying the proper authorities. This means filing a report with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), contacting your local police department, and informing the IRS. The FTC will provide you with a recovery plan and ask you to fill out forms that can help out the other departments who are working on your case. Once you’re received an Identity Theft Report from the FTC, you should contact the police. The FTC is the primary agency that deals with identity theft. But if your information was stolen through credit card skimming or another physical means of theft, your local police department may already be investigating similar incidents in your area. Each person who comes forward can help them build a stronger case against the perpetrator. Also, if your Social Security Number has been compromised, you should contact the IRS and file a Form 14039, Identity Theft Affidavit.
Fraud Alerts and Account Management
Placing a fraud alert with the three major credit bureaus is both free and straightforward. Doing so will alert any entity that pulls your credit. Freezing your credit can also prove beneficial. By stopping your credit from being pulled, you can prevent one of the methods of fraud-related theft. If you would prefer not to freeze your credit, a credit monitoring service is also a useful tool. For a monthly fee, an agency will act as a watchdog for suspicious behavior. Lastly, you should change all of your passwords and use numbers, special characters (like percentage signs), and capitalized letters to make your passwords more complex.
Review and Regroup
Though it may seem tedious, review every transaction and changes in your credit score when they occur for the next few months. Every major bank has apps that offer transaction alerts, and some also provide free credit tracking. Lastly, consult with your bank and decide if you should close your compromised accounts. These precautions can help prevent identity theft in the future.
If you’ve been a victim of identity theft, an attorney may be able to help. A lawyer can compel institutions to provide copies of their transaction records or file a lawsuit against a company if their negligence caused your information to get stolen. At NOLA Criminal Law, we’re dedicated to helping our clients solve their problems. Throughout your case, you will have your attorney’s cell phone number so you can ask questions at any time. If you need assistance with identity theft, schedule a free consultation with us by calling (504) 571-9529 or reaching out online.
