Search: Login

Featured Partners of RocketLawyer.com   

     
 

What to Do if Your Identity Has Been Stolen

Free Legal Help > Personal Finance Legal Help > Credit and ID Theft > What to Do if Your Identity Has Been Stolen

Free legal help
   
 

In the event that your identity has been is stolen, you need to act swiftly to stop any further damage and repair your credit.  Here is what to do if your identity has been stolen:
  1. You should file a police report as soon as possible.  This gives you certain legal rights when reporting the identity theft to creditors or credit agencies.
  2. Contact all three credit bureaus and place them on fraud alert.  A fraud alert prevents someone else from opening “instant credit” in your name.
  3. Notify your creditors of the suspected identity theft and close any accounts that have been opened fraudulently, as well as any accounts that have been tampered with.
  4. File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission. They use complains to track patterns of fraud, and can help them identify and prosecute identity thieves.
  5. Consider requesting a credit freeze from the three credit bureaus.  A credit freeze puts your credit on “lock down” so nobody (including you) can open credit in your name.   

 
< Previous Topic Next Topic >


This content is for information only and may be incomplete. It is not intended to be legal or tax advice.
You are encouraged to consult with your own attorney, accountant or other advisor.



 
     
 
 Live chat by LivePerson

ABOUT SSL CERTIFICATES

Home | Privacy Policy | Sitemap | Help | About Us | Contact Us | Affiliates

Copyright 2009 Rocket Lawyer Incorporated

RocketLawyer.com™ provides information and software only. This site is not a "lawyer referral service" and does not provide or participate in any legal representation.

Use of RocketLawyer.com is subject to our Terms and Conditions.

  Click to verify BBB accreditation and to see a BBB report.