Identity Theft
Resources
About ID Theft
How Does it Happen?
Protect Yourself
ID Theft Signs
Lost or Stolen IDs
If You're a Victim
Your Rights
Resources
Contact Information
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If Your Personal Information is Lost or Stolen
If your purse or wallet is stolen, or if your personal information/identification is missing, a quick response can decrease the chances of identity theft from occurring. Here are steps to take if your personal information is lost or stolen:
Close your financial accounts
Credit cards, checking accounts and savings accounts should be closed. Open new accounts with passwords. Avoid passwords or personal identification numbers (PINs) that contain your birth date, mother's maiden name, and any part of your Social Security number or your phone number.
Protect your Social Security number
Call any of the three national consumer reporting companies (TransUnion, Equifax or Experian) and place a fraud alert on your credit reports. Visit Important Contact Information, located in this resource center. This can help prevent a thief from opening an account using your Social Security number or other information.
Protect your driver's license or ID card
Contact the agency that issued your drivers license (or government issued ID) and follow their procedure for canceling and getting a replacement card. Ask the agency to flag your file so no one else can get a license or ID using your name.
File a police report
If a crime was committed (i.e. your purse or wallet stolen, house was burglarized, or car was broken into), contact your local law enforcement and file a police report immediately.
Once you have completed these steps, be on the lookout for signs that your identity was compromised. Visit "How Do You Know if You're a Victim of Identity Theft?"
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