There are some general things you should do in any case of ID-theft. The specific steps you take will depend on what has happened, and whether you suspect you may be a victim or you know you have been a victim because you have discovered fraudulent activity.

If you only suspect you may be a victim or some event has happened that could lead to you becoming a victim - such as your wallet was stolen, or your personal data was compromised, there are steps you can take to protect yourself against other possible ID-theft incidents. First, call the three major credit bureaus to put a fraud alert on your credit profile.

• Equifax: 1.800.525.6285
• Experian: 1.888.397.3742
• Trans Union: 1.800.680.7289

Since you know you are at a higher risk, be sure to follow the prevention advice offered on this website, but especially follow these steps to keep an eye out for fraudulent activity:

• Consider subscribing to a credit monitoring service to keep close watch on your credit profile.
• Get a copy of your credit report at least once a year on look for inaccurate information or fraudulent accounts.
• If you are not already receiving them, regularly request Earnings and Benefits Statements from the Social Security Administration.

Finally, educate yourself. This website and others listed in Other Resources, as well as helpful software programs such as ID-Theft Protector offer advice on how to avoid common scams, how to keep your computer safe, and lots of other information that will help you avoid becoming a victim of ID-theft.

If you know you've been a victim of ID-theft because you've discovered fraudulent activity, you need to act quickly. Contact the three major credit bureaus to report the ID-theft incident:

• Equifax: 1.800.525.6285
• Experian: 1.888.397.3742
• Trans Union: 1.800.680.7289

The credit bureau you contact is required to report the incident to the other two credit bureaus, but we recommend calling all three to be sure. They will put an initial credit alert on your credit report which lasts 90 days and will send you a free copy of your credit report. Follow up by sending a completed Identity Theft Affidavit to the credit bureau. This will establish your ID-theft claim, and will allow you to place an extended (7-year) credit alert against additional incidents.

File a report with your local police or sheriff's department. Request a copy of the report or the case number. You may need this to show proof of the ID-theft for creditors.

No matter what the specifics of your incident, file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commision. This helps them investigate fraud and can lead to law enforcement action. By filing a complaint you lessen the chance that someone else will become a victim. Fill one out online at https://rn.ftc.gov/dod/widtpubl$.startup?Z_ORG_CODE=PU03

Note: The information on this page was excerpted from ID-Theft Protector 2005™. This comprehensive software package can help you with personalized steps to resolve your specific ID-theft incident. It includes easy-to-complete forms to and a tracking system to help you follow up on restoring your good credit and your good name.
Click here for more information on ID-Theft Protector 2005.