ID Theft Facts

Stories From the Front Lines

"One bank cleared the debt because I could prove in writing that I didn't open the account. My signature was forged. The social security was wrong, too. What burns me that the bank opened the account at all with such obviously fraudulent information."

Do You Suspect You're Already a Victim? Every Minute Counts.

Don't wait to be a victim. Start protecting your identity now.

Enroll Today

Did you visit IDTheftAlerts because you think you might already be a victim? The signs are easy to spot:

  • No mail for two or three days?
  • Monthly bills that don't arrive.
  • You've been denied credit - or had your credit card turned down at a store.
  • Bills, letters and phone calls for meals, services and goods you didn't buy.
  • A large bill for a cell phone account that's in your name, even though you didn't open it.

If you are a victim, you must take these steps immediately.

  • Place a fraud alert with all three major credit bureaus. With our Name Safe Protection plan, you can do this in minutes.
  • Close any accounts thieves have opened or used. Call the security or fraud department at each business. Follow up in writing with copies - not originals - of documents that support your case.
  • Download the ID Theft Affidavit at ftc.gov/theft.
  • File a police report. Creditors will want proof that the crime occurred.
  • Report your theft to the Federal Trade Commission. Identity theft is a "crime without borders." Your information can help investigators all over the country.

- Go to ftc.gov/idtheft.
- Call 1-877-ID-Theft (438-4338)
- Write to: Identity Theft Clearing House, Federal Trade
  Commission, Washington DC 20580

Activating a Name Safe Account will help prevent the thieves from using or selling the stolen information.