How to Report Identity Theft

 

If you believe someone has misused or attempted to misuse any of your personal information, follow these steps to report the identity theft. And, if your policy provides coverage, give us a call. We’re here to help. 

Report identity theft by following these steps

Report where the fraud occurred

As soon as you suspect identity theft has occurred, contact the company or organization associated with the account you believe has been compromised. Explain what happened and ask them to help you stem any fraudulent charges.

Financial

Call your financial institution and explain the situation.

  • Credit cards, checks, ATM or debit cards
  • Bank, credit card or debit account takeover

Governmental

Contact the appropriate agency.

  • Tax refunds: If you receive an IRS notice in the mail explaining someone used your information to get a refund, follow the instructions in the letter. Contact the IRS Identity Protection Specialized Unit at 1-800-908-4490, and then fill out IRS form 14039, Identity Theft Affidavit.
  • Social Security: If you suspect someone is using your Social Security number to get a job, file for benefits or anything else, call the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 or visit your local Social Security Administration office.

Medical

Check records for signs of fraudulent activity.

  • Medical forms: Request copies from your medical provider.
  • Disclosures: Obtain from your medical provider a list of all entities your provider gave personal medical information to.
  • Billing: Contact the billing department of any provider or collection agency requesting payment. Explain it’s a case of mistaken identity.

File an identity theft police report

Many banks, credit card companies and other organizations require a police report to launch an investigation. Fill out the FTC Identity Theft Affidavit, then contact the police and explain what happened. Share as much documentation as you can, including financial statements, receipts, letters, credit reports, etc., to support your case. 

After meeting with police, ask when a copy of the police report will be ready and how you can get a copy. Jot down the police report number and the name of the officer taking your identify theft police report and get a phone number so you can provide new information as it arises. 

Different law enforcement agencies will handle identity theft differently. If your law enforcement agency will not file a police report for identity theft, ask for a Miscellaneous Incident Report.

Notify the credit bureaus

Equifax®, Experian™ and TransUnion® are the three largest and most important credit bureaus in the United States. Contact each to notify them that your identity has been compromised. 

Ask them to flag your file with a fraud alert so they're able to recognize if another account is opened in your name. However, fraud alerts can be temporary, so you may want to ask how long it will apply and renew it if necessary. Ask for a copy of your credit report from each bureau for your own review. In case you spot any inaccuracies, you can point them out and ask for them to be changed. Ask for your report six months later to confirm that the changes you requested have been made. 

Keep all documentation regarding your identity theft case

Maintain an up-to-date file of all documents relating to your case, especially disputed bills, credit reports and the police report. Keep all of the originals. If you need to mail statements to your financial institution or law enforcement agency, mail copies (not the originals). Keep a record of the dates and times of your related telephone conversations for future reference.

Contact the government

Depending on how your identity was stolen, the U.S. government may be able to provide additional assistance on reporting identity theft.

IdentityTheft.gov 

This is the government’s one-stop resource to help you identify, report and recover from any type of identity theft. It takes you step-by-step through different types of identity theft and helps you set up a plan to reclaim your identity.

Visit IdentityTheft.gov

The Federal Trade Commission

The FTC will advise you on next steps based on your complaint. Their website is a helpful source for reliable information. Not only does it help you manage identity theft and learn how to prevent it in the future, but it includes a rundown of identity theft-related laws specific to your state.

Visit Federal Trade Commission

Social Security Administration 

There is a special office within the Social Security Administration (SSA) known as the Office of the Inspector General that is responsible for investigating identity theft crimes. If you are concerned that your Social Security number may have been compromised, contact your local SSA office to request a copy of your Social Security statement.

Visit Social Security Administration

Use available identity theft resources

The Identity Theft Resource Center is a non-profit organization that can provide you with additional resources if you’ve been the victim of identity theft.

Give us a call

Your CONNECT home policy may include coverage to help offset the costs associated with identity theft. (Those with renters or condo insurance may be covered, too.)

Victims of identity theft may be reimbursed for some losses, and no deductible applies. When you contact us to report identity theft, have your policy number handy. We’ll ask you what happened, the costs you’ve incurred, if you have copies of related receipts, and how law enforcement is handling your case.

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SOURCES

  1. "Identity Theft Recovery Steps." Federal Trade Commission. N.d. Web, 13 Jun. 2023. IdentityTheft.gov - Recovery Steps
  2. "Identity Theft." USA.gov. N.d. Web, 13 Jun. 2023. https://www.usa.gov/identity-theft