Already a Victim?
1. Place a Fraud Alert
If you're already a victim of identity theft or suspect fraudulent activity, place a fraud alert before freezing your credit. A fraud alert encourages lenders to take extra steps to verify your identity before granting new credit.
Submit a fraud alert with Equifax (it's free) - they will notify the other credit bureaus: Place Fraud Alert with Equifax
2. Report Identity Theft
Visit IdentityTheft.gov to report identity theft and get a customized recovery plan. This official Federal Trade Commission website will:
- Help you create an official identity theft report
- Provide a step-by-step recovery plan
- Generate pre-filled forms and letters for sending to credit bureaus, businesses, and debt collectors
Prevent Identity Theft: Credit Freeze Links
Place a security freeze at each of these agencies to protect yourself from identity theft. Each requires a separate request and is completely free.
| Agency | Purpose | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Experian | Major credit bureau | Freeze Credit |
| TransUnion | Major credit bureau | Freeze Credit |
| Equifax | Major credit bureau | Freeze Credit |
| Innovis | Smaller credit bureau | Freeze Credit |
| ChexSystems | Bank account screening | Freeze Report |
| NCTUE | Utilities and phone services | Freeze Report |
| LexisNexis | Background screening | Freeze Report |
Monitor Your Credit Reports
Regularly check your credit reports for:
- Newly opened accounts you didn't authorize
- Recent credit inquiries you didn't initiate
- Addresses that aren't yours
Get your free credit reports through AnnualCreditReport.com or sign up for a credit monitoring service to receive regular updates. If you find fraudulent activity, dispute it with both the credit reporting agency and the fraud department of the relevant bank or lender.