Fight Identity Deft

This website is a one-stop national resource to learn about the
crime of identity theft. It provides detailed information to help
you Deter, Detect, and Defend against identity theft. While there are no guarantees about avoiding identity theft, there are steps you can take to minimize your risk and minimize the damage if a problem occurs:

Deter identity thieves by safeguarding your information

Detect suspicious activity by routinely monitoring your financial accounts and billing statements

Defend against ID theft as soon as you suspect a problem

This site also is a comprehensive reference center – for
consumers, businesses, law enforcement, and the media –
with access to specific laws, contact information, and resources
from state and federal government agencies.

Identity theft is a serious crime.How does it happen?
Identity theft occurs when someone uses your personal
information without your permission to commit fraud or other
crimes. While you can't entirely control whether you will become
a victim, there are steps you can take to minimize your risk.

If you think your identity has been stolen, here's what to do:

1. Contact the fraud departments of any one of the three consumer reporting companies to place a fraud alert on your credit report. The fraud alert tells creditors to contact you before opening any new accounts or making any changes to your existing accounts. You only need to contact one of the three companies to place an alert. The company you call is required to contact the other two, which will place an alert on their versions of your report, too. Once you place the fraud alert in your file, you're entitled to order free copies of your credit reports, and, if you ask, only the last four digits of your Social Security number will appear on your credit reports.

2. Close the accounts that you know or believe have been tampered with or opened fraudulently. Use the ID Theft Affidavit (PDF, 56 KB) when disputing new unauthorized accounts.

3. File a report with your local police or the police in the community where the identity theft took place. Get a copy of the report or at the very least, the number of the report, to submit to your creditors and others that may require proof of the crime.

4.File your complaint with the FTC. The FTC maintains a database of identity theft cases used by law enforcement agencies for investigations. Filing a complaint also helps us learn more about identity theft and the problems victims are having so that we can better assist you.

View or print an easy-to-follow brochure on how to Deter, Detect, and Defend against identity theft.  For more in-depth information on recovering from identity theft and help with specific problems, read Take Charge: Fighting Back Against Identity Theft.

DETER • DETECT • DEFEND
FIGHTING BACK AGAINST IDENTITY THEFT

Each year, millions of Americans have their identity stolen. The Federal Trade Commission, the nation's consumer protection agency, wants you to have the information you need to protect yourself against identity theft. While there are no guarantees about avoiding identity theft, it’s important for you to:

DETER identity thieves by safeguarding your information.

DETECT suspicious activity by routinely monitoring your financial accounts and billing statements.

DEFEND against ID theft as soon as you suspect a problem.

The links below include everything you need to educate your community about how to deter, detect, and defend against identity theft. These materials are all contained in the FTC’s ID Theft Consumer Education Kit, and are available in English and Spanish.

By educating audiences at work, in your community, at your place of worship or anywhere else, you can help the people you care about save time and money by minimizing their risk of becoming victims, and reduce the emotional stress that often comes with identity theft.