What To Do If Your Identity Has Been Stolen

The Washington State Department of Financial Institutions and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recommends the following actions if you believe you are a victim of identity theft:

Take action immediately! Keep records of your conversations and all correspondence.

• Contact the fraud department of the three major credit reporting agencies. Tell them you are an identity theft victim. Ask them to place a "fraud" alert in your file. Ask for a copy of the credit report. They must give you a free copy of your report if it is inaccurate because of fraud.
• Contact your creditors about any accounts that have been changed or opened fraudulently. Ask to speak with someone in the security or fraud department.
• File a report with your local police. Get a copy of the police report, so you have proof of the crime.

For more information regarding identity theft, visit the following websites:

• Federal Trade Commission (FTC) (You can also call: 1-877-IDTHEFT (438-4338))
• FTC Identity Theft Online Complaint Form
• www.fraud.org (You can also call: 1-800-876-7060)

You can also call the FTC’s Identity Theft Hotline at 1-800-877-IDTHEFT (438-4338).

Source: FDIC Money Smart Education Program

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