If your identity has been stolen in Tennessee, you’re probably wondering – what do I do now? There are so many steps you must take to ensure your information isn’t misused, and to correct it if it is. From driving you into debt to committing crimes in your name, the damage of identity theft is more severe than many people know. Here’s what you need to do if you become a victim:
If you had your information compromised in a data breach – or if your Social Security card, driver’s license, or bank account information was physically stolen – you need to do this immediately. You can place a fraud alert by contacting one of the three main credit bureaus – Experian, Equifax, or TransUnion. Once the fraud alert is in place at one of the bureaus, they will alert the other two bureaus for you.
Freezing your credit report makes it difficult for someone to take out debt in your name, even if they have your information. Even if you’re not sure that you have had your identity stolen, you can take this step as a proactive measure to protect your credit. You must contact all three credit bureaus separately for this step, but it is free and you can do it on the phone, online, or in writing. Just remember to keep your PIN number in a safe place in case you need to lift that freeze for an employer or other third party that may need to check your credit.
Not only could filing a police report help your local police solve related crimes here in Tennessee, but it will also help support your claims if your information is misused. Criminals often use the identities they steal to commit crimes, so taking this precaution could keep your record clean too!
Time is of the essence with this one! Under federal law, you are only responsible for $50 of unauthorized bank or credit card use, provided you report the crime to the FTC within two days. The longer you wait, the more fraudulent charges you may be responsible for. The FTC will also help you complete forms, and will provide you with sample letters to send to credit bureaus, banks, etc. This can be a huge help amid the stress you will be feeling if you become a victim.
Check your bank and credit card statements, as well as your credit report (get one for free here) for fraudulent expenses and dispute any such charges. You can check your report for free through each of the main bureaus once a year. Since there are three, that means you can check your credit report every four months.
You may receive calls or letters from debt collectors after your information is compromised. Don’t ignore them! Better yet, stay a step ahead by writing any debt collectors immediately to inform them of the situation. Pro tip: save yourself some hassle by including a copy of your FTC report. Don’t hesitate to ask them to stop the calls (you don’t owe anything!) – also request any information they have on you, including phone numbers used on the fraudulent account and a list of transactions. You must request the copies of this information in writing. Don’t forget step #4 – filing a report with the FTC – which will provide you with a sample letter!
Alert your bank’s fraud department – they’ll let you know if you need to close your accounts and open new ones (it’s a pain – but you can’t skip this step).
The list just keeps getting worse! You never know what an identity thief may be using your information for (insurance, medical expenses, utilities – you name it, we’ve seen it). Call your utility companies and other organizations where you have accounts to inform them that you were a victim. If one of your accounts was hacked, there could very well be more. If you suspect your information may have been used to file a tax refund claim, contact the IRS.
Reach out to the companies where fraudulent accounts were opened. Whether it is a bank, utility company, or insurance provider, their fraud department will be able to help you. At this point, you should have reference numbers on your identity theft report to substantiate these claims.
If you had physical copies of your driver’s license, passport, or Social Security card stolen, you need new ones! Here’s how to obtain these:
That’s right – it’s time to change your usernames and passwords. Start with the ones you suspect have been compromised, then move on to the rest of them if you use the same password for every account (we hope you don’t). Here are some secure password tips:
Don’t include your name, date of birth, or anything like “password0” and “abc123.” Most websites require a combination of upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters. Even if they don’t, it’s a good idea to incorporate these elements.
If you have an identity theft protection plan, you may be able to skip the steps above (at Zander, for instance, we do that work for you)! If not, it’s probably time to explore your protection options in case you become a victim again. You can skip the months (sometimes years) of work and worry by signing up for a plan with Zander ID Theft Solutions for as low as $6.75/month for an individual plan. Our team will save you time and money with full-service restoration services, $1 million in stolen funds and expense reimbursement, 24/7 customer service, and free coverage for kids on family plans.* We also proactively monitor your accounts and alert you to suspicious activity to avoid the risk of your identity being stolen in the first place.
*Up to 10 kids covered for free on our family plan.