what to do if your identity is stolen federal attorney general

If you're a victim of identity theft, take immediate action to prevent continued use of your personal information. Report the identity theft to the police. Ask for a copy of the report to show your creditors and financial institutions if necessary.

Full Answer

What do I do if my identity has been stolen?

 · Report identity (ID) theft to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) online at IdentityTheft.gov or by phone at 1-877-438-4338. The FTC will collect the details of your situation. Open All + Differences in ID Theft Reporting When to Report ID Theft to the Police Report Specific Types of Identity Theft Report Identity Theft to Other Organizations

How do I report identity theft to the federal government?

Call or email the fraud department of the companies, banks or credit unions where accounts have been compromised. Explain that someone stole your identity and ask them to close or freeze the compromised account. Contact any of the three credit reporting agencies and ask that a free fraud alert be placed on your credit report.

How does the Department of Justice prosecute identity theft cases?

As Pennsylvania’s top law enforcement officer, the Attorney General is dedicated to protecting the citizens of the Commonwealth from identity thieves through public outreach and by prosecuting to the fullest extent of the law, those who use another’s personal information to commit fraud. Unfortunately, identity theft can have a far reaching ...

What does the Attorney General of Pennsylvania do for identity theft?

Report identity theft and get a recovery plan Get Started or browse recovery steps IdentityTheft.gov can help you report and recover from identity theft. HERE'S HOW IT WORKS: Tell us what happened. We'll ask some questions about your situation. Tell us as much as you can. Get a recovery plan. We'll use that info to create a personal recovery plan.

What federal organization should you contact if your identity is stolen?

the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)Report identity (ID) theft to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) online at IdentityTheft.gov or by phone at 1-877-438-4338. The FTC will collect the details of your situation.

What does the FTC do for identity theft?

Consumers can report identity theft at IdentityTheft.gov, the federal government's one-stop resource to help people report and recover from identity theft. The site provides step-by-step advice and helpful resources like easy-to-print checklists and sample letters.

Can the FBI help with identity theft?

The FBI is legally mandated to identify victims of federal crimes that it investigates and provide these victims with information, assistance services, and resources. 1.

What do I do if my SSN is stolen?

If your Social Security card or number (SSN) is lost or stolen, you should immediately contact your local police department and the Social Security Administration (call toll-free 1-800-772-1213) to let them know about the incident.

Does filing a complaint with the FTC do anything?

The FTC cannot resolve individual complaints, but it can provide information about what steps to take. The FTC says that complaints can help it and its law enforcement partners detect patterns of fraud and abuse, which may lead to investigations and stopping unfair business practices.

How long does it take to recover from identity theft FTC?

six months and 200 hoursThe Federal Trade Commission (FTC) tracks identity theft statistics, helps victims, and coordinates responses by various governmental agencies. They estimate that recovering from identity theft takes an average of six months and 200 hours of work.

What are two 2 actions a person can take if their identity is stolen?

File a claim with your identity theft insurance, if applicable. ... Notify companies of your stolen identity. ... File a report with the Federal Trade Commission. ... Contact your local police department. ... Place a fraud alert on your credit reports. ... Freeze your credit. ... Sign up for a credit monitoring service, if offered.More items...

How do I find out who stole my identity?

How To Know if Someone Stole Your IdentityTrack what bills you owe and when they're due. If you stop getting a bill, that could be a sign that someone changed your billing address.Review your bills. ... Check your bank account statement. ... Get and review your credit reports.

Is identity theft a felony?

Identity theft of credit, money, goods, services, or other property not exceeding $300 in value is a Class 4 felony. A person who has been previously convicted of identity theft of less than $300 who is convicted of a second or subsequent offense of identity theft of less than $300 is guilty of a Class 3 felony.

Can you put a freeze on your Social Security number?

Freezing Your Social Security Number First, you'll need to create an account on E-Verify, which is managed by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Once you do, follow the prompts to freeze your SSN. Then, file a police report. Immediately after freezing, contact the authorities.

How do I put a block on my Social Security number?

If you know your Social Security information has been compromised, you can request to Block Electronic Access. This is done by calling our National 800 number (Toll Free 1-800-772-1213 or at our TTY number at 1-800-325-0778).

How do I check to see if someone is using my Social Security number?

If you believe someone is using your Social Security number to work, get your tax refund, or other abuses involving taxes, contact the IRS online or call 1-800-908-4490. You can order free credit reports annually from the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian and TransUnion).

Identity Theft

Identity (ID) theft happens when someone steals your personal information to commit fraud.The identity thief may use your information to apply for...

Report Identity Theft

Report identity (ID) theft to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) online at IdentityTheft.gov or by phone at 1-877-438-4338. The FTC will collect th...

Prevent Identity Theft

Keep these tips in mind to protect yourself from identity theft:Secure your Social Security number (SSN). Don't carry your Social Security card in...

What is the law in Texas for identity theft?

Texas law provides victims of identity theft the option of seeking a court order declaring that you are a victim of identity theft. If you are granted this type of court order, you may submit it to private businesses and to governmental entities to help correct any records that contain inaccurate or false information which resulted from ...

How to report a fraud account?

Consider Taking the Following Actions 1 Call or email the fraud department of the companies, banks or credit unions where accounts have been compromised. Explain that someone stole your identity and ask them to close or freeze the compromised account. 2 Contact any of the three credit reporting agencies and ask that a free fraud alert be placed on your credit report. Also ask for a free credit report. You only need to contact one of the three agencies because the law requires the agency you call to contact the other two.#N#Equifax — 1-800-349-9960#N#Experian — 1‑888‑397‑3742#N#TransUnion — 1-888-909-8872

Can you freeze your credit report?

Decide whether you want to place a security freeze on your credit report. A security freeze is different from a fraud alert. Once your report is frozen, the credit reporting agency cannot release it without your prior express approval (with certain narrow exceptions).

What is a security freeze?

A security freeze is different from a fraud alert. Once your report is frozen, the credit reporting agency cannot release it without your prior express approval (with certain narrow exceptions). Under federal law, a security freeze is free, and obtaining one will not affect your credit score.

How long does it take for a credit freeze to be lifted?

The agency must place the freeze within one business day, and if you request the freeze be lifted, they must do so within one hour.

How long does the e-mail alert last?

The alert remains active for a year and can be renewed by you for up to seven years. Change the passwords, pin numbers, and log in information for all of your potentially affected accounts, including your email accounts, and any accounts that use the same password, pin, or log in information.

How to report identity theft to the FTC?

Go to annualcreditreport.com or call 1-877-322-8228. Review your reports. Make note of any account or transaction you don’t recognize. This will help you report the theft to the FTC and the police. Show. Report identity theft to the FTC. Go to IdentityTheft.gov or call 1-877-438-4338.

Can criminals steal personal information?

In some cases, criminals reportedly have used computer technology to steal large amounts of personal data. With enough identifying information about an individual, a criminal can take over that individual's identity to conduct a wide range of crimes. For example: False applications for loans and credit cards,

What are some examples of criminals?

With enough identifying information about an individual, a criminal can take over that individual's identity to conduct a wide range of crimes. For example: 1 False applications for loans and credit cards, 2 Fraudulent withdrawals from bank accounts, 3 Fraudulent use of telephone calling cards or online accounts, or 4 Obtaining other goods or privileges which the criminal might be denied if he were to use his real name

How long can you be in jail for identity theft?

This offense, in most circumstances, carries a maximum term of 15 years' imprisonment, a fine, and criminal forfeiture of any personal property used or intended to be used to commit the offense. Schemes to commit identity theft or fraud may also involve violations of other statutes such as identification fraud (18 U.S.C.

What is spam email?

Many people respond to "spam"– unsolicited E-mail – that promises them some benefit but requests identifying data, without realizing that in many cases, the requester has no intention of keeping his promise. In some cases, criminals reportedly have used computer technology to steal large amounts of personal data.

What is identity theft?

Identity Theft Frequently Asked Questions. Identity theft occurs when a criminal uses another person’s personal information to take on that person’s identity. Although it can occur online most identity theft occurs via stolen wallets and personal identification documents.

How does identity theft happen?

Identity theft occurs when a criminal uses another person’s personal information to take on that person’s identity. Although it can occur online most identity theft occurs via stolen wallets and personal identification documents.

Can you get a fraud alert on your credit card?

No. A fraud alert will not stop you from using your existing credit cards or other accounts. It may slow down your ability to get new credit. Its purpose is to help protect you against an identity thief trying to open credit accounts in your name.

What to do if you don't understand your credit report?

If you find items you do not understand on your report, call the free credit report provider. They will review your report with you over the phone. If the information cannot be explained, then you must call the creditors involved and report the crime to your local law enforcement office.

What to do if you suspect your personal information has been stolen?

What should I do if I suspect my personal information has been stolen? 1. File a police report. In the District of Columbia, the Financial and Cyber Crimes Unit of the Metropolitan Police Department (“MPD”) handles identity theft complaints. You should file a complaint with MPD and ask for a police report.

How to contact the FTC about identity theft?

For an identity theft recovery plan you can call the FTC's Identity Theft Hotline, toll-free: 1-877-ID-THEFT (438-4338); TTY: 1-866-653-4261 or visit https://IdentityTheft.gov. Below you'll find links to PDF versions of this information in English and Spanish:

What is fraud alert?

Fraud Alerts. Fraud alerts can help prevent an identity thief from opening accounts in your name. A fraud alert notifies potential creditors that they should take steps to verify your identity before getting a copy of your credit report.

What is identity theft?

You likely have become the victim of identity theft. Identity theft is a crime in which an imposter obtains your personal information (such as your Social Security number, date of birth, or driver's license number) and uses your identity to do things like open credit accounts in your name, purchase merchandise and services using your credit card, ...

Does a security freeze affect your credit score?

A credit freeze does not affect your credit score.

What is a credit freeze?

A security freeze (also known as a credit freeze) restricts access to your credit reports, which makes it more difficult for identity thieves to open new accounts in your name. A security freeze does not prevent a thief from making charges to your existing accounts, so you may want to consider closing bank or credit card accounts that may have been compromised. A credit freeze does not affect your credit score. A credit freeze does not stop you from opening a new account, applying for a job, renting an apartment, or buying insurance. But if you’re doing any of these, you’ll need to lift the freeze temporarily, either for a specific time or for a specific party, such as a potential employer or landlord.

What is identity theft?

Identity theft is someone taking personal information like your name, Social Security number, or financial account number and using it for an unlawful purpose. Everyday people, business owners, well-known celebrities, and children are prey to it. In California, all forms of identity theft are crimes (Penal Code section 530.5 et. seq. ).

How many identity theft victims were there in 2014?

Identity theft does not discriminate. There were 12.7 million U.S. adult victims in 2014, or nearly one victim every 2.5 seconds. That figure represents 4% of U.S. adults, including over a 1.5 million Californians. The number of victims declined slightly from 13.1 million in 2013.