Protect your most valuable possession - your identity.
Identity Theft
Be on guard against thieves who constantly seek new victims.
Alert behavior can help you avoid trouble
Identity theft is an all-too-common crimes that involves someone using your personal or financial information without your consent. You can monitor activity by ordering a free credit report every year.
Pay Attention to Warning Signs
- Credit card and account statements are delayed in the mail
- You're denied credit for no reason
- You receive bills for purchases you never made
- Collection agencies try to collect on debts you didn't incur
- Credit reports show new, unauthorized accounts
Take Swift Action if You're a Victim
- Place a fraud alert on your credit file by contacting a major credit reporting bureau (Trans Union, Experian, or Equifax), which will then notify the other bureaus
- Alert affected businesses over the phone and in writing, and close tampered accounts or those opened without your consent
- File a police report and request a copy for yourself because you may need it for businesses requiring proof of the crime
- Report the crime to the Federal Trade Commission