Identity theft plan: freeze, alerts, recovery
Your personal information has been compromised. Follow this plan to lock down your identity, prevent further damage, and begin the recovery process.
1. Place a Fraud Alert
Contact one of the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion) to place an initial one-year fraud alert. The one you contact is legally required to notify the other two. This warns creditors to take extra steps to verify your identity before opening new credit.
2. Freeze Your Credit
For maximum protection, freeze your credit with all three bureaus separately. A freeze is more robust than an alert; it restricts access to your credit report, making it very difficult for thieves to open new accounts in your name. You can unfreeze it temporarily when you need to apply for credit.
3. Report to IdentityTheft.gov
This is the U.S. government's official resource for identity theft. Create an account and report the theft. The site will provide a personalized recovery plan, pre-filled letters, and an official affidavit to help you resolve issues with credit bureaus and businesses.
4. Notify Institutions & Change Passwords
Contact the fraud departments of your bank, credit card issuers, and any other companies where you know fraud occurred. Close any compromised accounts. Then, change passwords on all financial, email, and other critical online accounts.