Identity Theft
Identity theft occurs when someone steals your personal information and uses it to take your money, open credit accounts, file tax returns, and make health insurance claims, and more without your consent.
Due to the nature of technology and the internet, your personal information is always at risk. If you're not carefully monitoring your credit file, you may not notice you've been victimized until the damage is already done.
If you have even an inkling that you've fallen victim to identity theft, the most important thing to do is to limit the potential damage. The steps you'll take can vary based on the type of fraud committed, but here are some general things you can do:
- Contact your bank or credit card issuer. If a credit card or debit card was stolen, contact the card issuer and your bank immediately—some banks may even allow you to lock your account through your mobile app until you can report the fraud.
- Review your credit reports. Double-check your credit reports with the three credit bureaus (Experian, TransUnion and Equifax) to confirm any type of unusual activity and get help dealing with the theft.
- Freeze your credit or set up a fraud alert. If you find something is amiss on your credit reports, consider locking or freezing your credit. Alternatively, you can set up a fraud alert, which notifies lenders that you've been a victim of identity theft so they can take extra measures to verify your identity when they get an application for credit in your name.
- File an identity theft report. Reach out to the Federal Trade Commission to file a report. The agency will provide steps you need to take and paperwork to file reports—including how to deal with police reports—and help you dispute fraudulent charges.
- File a police report. Remember, identity theft is a crime, so it's also a good idea to contact your local law enforcement agency and report it. Although the investigations may lead outside the immediate jurisdiction, the state of Illinois, or the country, Shorewood Police Detectives will provide victims resources to assist in the recovery of your identity.
Being a victim of identity theft is a harrowing experience. It can take months and many hours of filling out forms and working with agencies and businesses to recover your identity once it is stolen. Links to file a report with the Federal Trade Commission and the State of Illinois Identity theft hotline, are attached as additional resources.
https://www.identitytheft.gov/#/
https://www.illinoisattorneygeneral.gov/consumer-protection/identity-theft/