Identity Theft What to Do If It Happens to You

What Is Identity Theft?

When someone uses your name, Social Security number, bank account numbers, credit card, etc., it’s called identity theft. Identity thieves have been known to open bank accounts, receive health care benefits, use credit cards, or file tax returns in someone else’s name.

How Do You Detect Identity Theft?

Closely review your bank and credit card statements monthly. Watch for unauthorized withdrawals and charges. Check your credit report. This can be done free of charge once a year. Review with a focus on accuracy and completeness.

How Do You Check Your Credit Report?

For a free credit report, visit AnnualCreditReport.com or call 877-322-8228. AnnualCreditReport.com is offered by the credit bureaus Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. The law allows for one free report per year from each bureau.

What Do You Do If Your Identity Is Stolen?

1. Keep a Log

When communicating with the authorities and financial institutions, make a record of all conversations, correspondence, and actions taken. Include dates, times, names, and phone numbers. Note the time spent and any expenses incurred. Send correspondence by certified mail with return receipt requested. Keep copies of all documents and correspondence.

2. Notify the Missouri Attorney General’s Office

File an identity theft complaint form. The form is available online at ago.mo.gov.

3. Notify the Federal Trade Commission

File an identity theft complaint with the Federal Trade Commission online at ReportFraud.ftc.gov, or call 877-438-4338 or TTY 866-653-4261. Also file a report at IdentityTheft.gov to create a recovery plan.

4. Contact Your Bank

Report the theft to all of your financial institutions. Check for any fraudulent accounts and loans. Have all checks and ATM/debit cards cancelled, and obtain new account numbers. Use the bank’s most secured process for identity verification on your account.

5. Contact Credit Card Companies and Other Creditors

Report the theft and ask for the names and phone numbers of credit guards with whom fraudulent accounts have been opened. Ask the credit bureaus to remove any inquiries that have been generated due to fraudulent access. Also, ask the credit bureaus to notify those who have received your credit report in the last six months in order to alert them to the disputed and erroneous information (two years for employers). Contact creditors with whom your name has been used fraudulently by phone and in writing. Obtain replacement cards with new account numbers for new accounts. Ask that accounts be processed as “account closed at consumer’s request.” (“Close” is better than “card lost or stolen,” a statement that can be interpreted by credit bureaus as blaming you for the loss.) Report a fraud immediately to credit bureaus. The credit reporting agencies can place fraud alerts on your account and “freeze” your credit.

6. Contact the Credit Bureaus

Request that a fraud alert be placed on your file and request as much documented evidence as possible, including a printed copy of the FTC Identity Theft Complaint (if one has been filed). Also, give them an Identity Theft Report. Get a copy of your police report for you to keep. The police report is important backup and proof to gain expedited rectification of your case. Credit card companies and banks may require you to show the report to verify the crime.

7. Contact Your Local Postmaster

If you suspect an identity thief has filed a change of address with the post office or has diverted your mail, contact your postmaster. Find out where the fraudulent credit cards were sent. Give the post office an address to which they can forward all mail in your name. You may need to talk to the mail carrier.

8. Contact the Social Security Administration

Contact the Social Security Administration to report fraudulent use of your social security number. As a last resort, you might want to change the number. The Social Security Administration will only change a number if it can be proven harm. Call 800-772-1213 (TTY: 800-325-0778).

9. Contact Passport and Travel Services

Even if you do not have a passport, it may be worthwhile to check with the U.S. State Department to see if anyone has applied for or received a passport using your identity. Call 877-487-2778.

10. Contact the Department of Motor Vehicles/Driver’s License

Check with the state DMV to determine if another driver’s license was issued in your name. Ask to put a fraud alert on your license. Go to your local Department of Motor Vehicles or Revenue office to clear your driving records. Also, fill out the DMV complaint form. Send supporting documents with the complaint form.

11. Contact the Missouri Department of Revenue and/or the U.S. Internal Revenue Service

If someone has used your identity in order to receive funds in your name, report it to the Internal Revenue Service (federal taxes). To report fraudulent Missouri state taxes, call 573-751-3505 to report an identity theft finding within the state of Missouri. You may also contact the IRS Identity Protection Specialized Unit at 800-908-4490.

12. Contact Your Health Insurance Company

Some identity thieves use personal information to obtain healthcare benefits in your name.

Resources

Missouri State Attorney General’s Office

Consumer Protection Hotline: 1-800-392-8222

Missouri Department of Revenue

Federal Trade Commission

Fraud Contact Number: 877-438-4338
Website: IdentityTheft.gov

Social Security Administration

Phone: 800-772-1213 (TTY: 800-325-0778)
Website: www.ssa.gov

IRS Identity Protection Specialist Unit

Phone: 800-908-4490

U.S. Passport Services Office

Phone: 877-487-2778

Credit Reporting Bureaus

Free annual credit report: AnnualCreditReport.com or 877-322-8228

U.S. Postal Service

Report identity theft via U.S. mail: postalinspectors.uspis.gov

Direct Marketing Association

www.dmachoice.org