Identity Theft 

Document Everything

Keep a detailed record of every interaction related to your identity theft case. This includes emails, letters, phone calls, case numbers, and the names of representatives you speak with. Save copies of reports, confirmations, and any supporting documents you submit or receive. Maintaining an organized paper trail not only helps you track your progress, but also strengthens your case if you need to dispute charges, verify your actions, or provide proof to financial institutions and authorities later on.

Credit Bureaus

Immediately contact the fraud units of the three credit reporting companies -- Experian (formerly TRW), Equifax, and Trans Union.

• Report the theft of your credit cards or numbers.
• Request a credit report (free to identity theft victims).
• Ask that your file be flagged with a fraud alert and add a victim’s statement to your report (ex: "My ID has been used to apply for credit fraudulently Contact me at [your phone number] to verify all applications ").
• Check to see how long the fraud alert will be posted on your file and how you can extend it if you need to.
• A freeze can be added to each bureau which exists until you choose to lift the freeze in the event you wish to apply for credit.
  
• Review your credit report and dispute any fraud related items with the three credit reporting companies.

Contact Creditors

Contact all creditors immediately with whom your name has been used fraudulently, by phone and in writing. You may be asked to fill out fraud affidavits. 

• Get replacement cards with new account numbers for your own accounts that have been used fraudulently
  
• Ask that old accounts be processed as "account closed at consumer's request" (better than "card lost or stolen" because it can be interpreted as blaming you)
  
• Monitor your mail and bills for evidence of new fraudulent activity and report any new fraudulent activity immediately to creditor grantors

Involve Law Enforcement

 Report the crime to your local police or sheriff's department. You might also need to report it to police departments where the crime occurred.

• Give them as much documented evidence as possible and make sure the report lists the fraud accounts
  
• Retain a copy of the report.
  
• Keep the phone number of your investigator handy and give it to creditors and others who require verification of your case. Credit card companies and banks may require you to show the report in order to verify the crime.
  
• It is a violation of federal law (18 USC 1028) and the laws of many states to take someone's identity for fraudulent purposes.
  
• Some police departments do not write reports on such crimes, so be persistent!
  
• Report the identity theft to the Federal Trade Commission.

Stolen Checks

If you have had checks stolen or bank/credit union accounts set up fraudulently, report it to the correct check verification companies.

• Put stop payments on any outstanding checks that you are unsure of.
  
• Cancel your current checking and savings accounts and obtain new account numbers.
  
• Give the bank or credit union a secret password for your account (not mother's maiden name).
  
• If your own checks are rejected at stores where you shop, contact the check verification company that the merchant uses.

Debit Cards

 If your debit card has been stolen or compromised, report it immediately.

• Get a new card, account number and password and do not use your old password.
  
• When you create a password, do not use common numbers like the last four digits of your SSN or your birth date.
  
• Be sure to monitor your account statement, you may be liable if fraud is not reported quickly.

Wildfire CU Card Disputes

Fraudulent Change of Address

Notify the local Postal Inspector (Call the U.S. Post Office to obtain the phone number) if you suspect an identity thief has filed a change of your address with the post office or has used the mail to commit fraud.

• Find out where the fraudulent credit cards were sent.
  
• Notify the local Postmaster for the fraudulent address to forward all mail in your name to your own address.
  
• You may also need to talk with the mail carrier as well.
• Report it to the United States Postal Inspection Service.

Secret Service

The Secret Service has jurisdiction over financial fraud. However, based on U.S. Attorney guidelines, the Secret Service usually does not investigate individual cases unless the dollar amount is high or you are one of many victims of a fraud ring. To get the Secret Service interested in your case, you may want to ask the fraud department of the credit card companies and banks and/or credit unions, as well as the police investigator, to notify the Secret Service agent they work with.

For more information

Social Security Number (SSN) Misuse

Call the Social Security Administration (SSA) to report any fraudulent use of your SSN.

• As a last resort you might want to try to change your number, but we do not recommend it unless the case is very serious.
  
• The SSA will only change the number if you fit their fraud victim criteria.
  
• Order a copy of your Personal Earnings and Benefits Statement and check it for accuracy. A thief might use your SSN for employment purposes.
  
• Learn more from SSA

Passports

Whether you currently have a passport or not, contact the appropriate passport agency to report the potential for fraudulent activity. Notifying them helps prevent someone from attempting to obtain a passport in your name. Provide any relevant details about the identity theft, and ask that a fraud alert or note be added to your record.

Driver's License Number Misuse

You may need to change your driver's license number if someone is using yours as an ID on bad checks or for other types of fraud.

• Call your state office of the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to see if another license was issued in your name.
  
• Put a fraud alert on your license.
  
• Go to your local DMV to request a new license number.
• Fill out the DMV's complaint form to begin the investigation process and send supporting documents with the completed form to the nearest DMV investigation office.
• For more information 

Victim Statements

If the imposter is apprehended by law enforcement and stands trial, write a victim impact letter to the judge handling the case. Also contact the victim-witness assistance program in your area for further information on how to make your voice heard in the legal proceedings.

False Civil and Criminal Judgments

Sometimes victims of identity theft are wrongfully accused of crimes committed by the imposter.

• If a civil judgment is entered in your name for your imposter's actions, contact the court where the judgment was entered and report that you are a victim of identity theft.
  
• If you are wrongfully arrested or prosecuted for criminal charges, contact the police department and the court in the jurisdiction of the arrest.
  
• Furthermore, contact the state Department of Justice and the FBI and ask how to clear your name.

Legal Help

You may want to consult an attorney to determine legal action to take against creditors and/or credit bureaus if they are not cooperative in removing fraudulent entries from your credit report or if negligence is a factor. Call the local Bar Association or Legal Aid office to find an attorney who specializes in consumer law, the Fair Credit Reporting Act, and the Fair Credit Billing Act.

Dealing With Emotional Stress

Psychological counseling may help you deal with the stress and anxiety commonly experienced by identify theft victims. Just know that you are not alone. Contact the Identity Theft Resource Center for information on how to network with other victims.

Making A Change

Write to your state and federal legislators demanding stronger privacy protection and prevention efforts by creditors and credit bureaus.

Don't Give In

• Do not pay any bill or portion of a bill that is a result of identity theft.
  
• Do not cover any checks that were written and/or cashed fraudulently.
  
• Do not file for bankruptcy.
  
• Your credit rating should not be permanently affected, and no legal action should be taken against you.
  
• If any merchant, financial institution or collection agency suggests otherwise, simply restate your willingness to cooperate, but don't allow yourself to be pressured into paying fraudulent bills. Report such attempts to government regulators immediately.