Identity theft can be a distressing and overwhelming experience, leaving individuals feeling vulnerable and uncertain about how to protect themselves. When personal information is stolen, it is crucial to take immediate and effective actions to mitigate the damage and safeguard your financial and personal data. The following steps provide a comprehensive guide on what to do after identity theft occurs, helping you navigate the process of securing your accounts, monitoring your credit, and preventing further unauthorized access. By following these steps, you can take control of the situation and protect yourself from the potential fallout of identity theft.
Steps to Take to Protect Yourself
- File a police report.
2. Notify banks/credit card companies/custodian.
3. Add a freeze and/or alert with the Credit agencies. For alerts, you only need to do this for one agency, and you’ll be covered by all three.
- Equifax: call 1-888-378-4329 or visit https://www.equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services/credit-freeze/
- Experian: call 1-888-391-3742 or visit https://www.experian.com/help/credit-freeze/
- TransUnion: call 1-800-916-8800 or visit https://www.transunion.com/credit-freeze?atvy=%7B%22258139%22%3A%22Experience+A%22%7D
4. Change your username and passwords (social media, email, banks, custodians, etc.).
- Remember to also set up two-factor identification, if applicable.
5. If you have clicked on a website that is malicious, the scammers may gain your future keystrokes for the next few sites which will include all your accounts and new passwords – make sure to delete all browsing history.
6. Contact phone provider to secure your phone number (set up two-factor ID).
7. Remove personal information on social media/email and check your privacy settings.
8. Consider a credit monitoring/protection service such as Lifelock or AllClear.
9. Add alerts to your credit cards/bank checking accounts so that you will receive notification if there are any changes to your accounts and/or new activity.
10. Add two-factor ID to your bank accounts, streaming services, student loan servicer accounts, etc.
Where to Report Identity Theft
- To report identity theft, please visit the Federal Trade Commission’s Identity Theft portal at https://www.identitytheft.gov/
Best Practices
- Remember to sign out of each website once you are done browsing and turn off your computer.
- Don’t click on unsolicited email attachments or a legitimate-looking download.
- Let unknown callers go to voicemail.
- Use strong passwords.
- Avoid using unsecure Wi-Fi networks in public places.
- When in doubt about a link, email etc., call your advisor.
