What To Do if You're a Victim of Identity Theft

Full Video Transcript

How would you feel if everything that defines who you are was suddenly taken from you? Your name, bank account information, driver’s license, Social Security number, date of birth — all in the hands of a criminal. That’s what happens to victims of identity theft, a crime that several people have fallen prey to. No one is immune to the deceit and creativity of perpetrators of this crime. In fact, anyone who transmits their personal information over the internet is a potential victim. If you think that you have been a victim of identity theft, you should take the following steps immediately. Place a fraud alert on your credit reports by contacting any of the three bureaus: Experian, TransUnion, or Equifax. Call your bank and creditors to close unauthorized accounts. File a police report for the identity theft and with local law enforcement. File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission. For more information about identity theft, contact an attorney in your area today.