Identity theft is a huge problem in our society today. This is a problem that is growing every year and it can have the effect of nearly destroying peoples lives. If a person is affected by this problem they need to know how to report identity theft. Also, a person should remember that this is a problem that will never be solved unless they report identity theft ” keeping silent will only hurt yourself and future victims of this crime.
Steps to Take to Report ID Theft
There are several steps a person should take to report identity theft and protect themselves from financial harm as best as they are able to.
First, talk to your local police. If they can’t help you, they can let you know who can. They may also be able to assist you in contacting people on this list or even people not included here.
Inform the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). You can call their toll free number 877-IDTHEFT or access them through their web site. Make this one of your first calls as they can guide you through the rest of the process.
Let your bank and credit card companies know. Close all your accounts and credit cards but remember to let the financial companies know what’s happening. They will appreciate knowing as soon as possible and will be more willing to help protect you.
Notify the Social Security Administration (SSA). By letting the SSA know that your social security number has been compromised they can evaluate if you qualify for a new number and make sure that your earnings reports are still correct.
If the theft has any potential ties to terrorism or buying or selling social security numbers, make sure you contact the Office of the Inspector General.
Contacting your credit reporting agencies is also a must. They can watch for further activity on your reports and by informing them, you are more likely to recover from this problem with your credit still intact.
You can make your position more complicated if you don’t let the right people know. The sooner you can report identity theft, the sooner the authorities have of trying to catch the person or people responsible. This could help future victims.
Posted under Internet
This post was written by Paul Wilcox on April 17, 2008
