Identity Theft

Reporting Fraud

The first move you should make is contacting your local or state police. Following this phone call, you can contact your postal inspector, the FBI, your credit card company, your bank, and any other agency you feel appropriate depending on the type of identity theft.

(Not sure who else to call? See the list below.)

Some identity theft cases result in the return of your funds – or at least some kind of insurance that has you covered as a victim. Some cases do not have such positive results. However, because ID thieves can hit many victims in a short period of time, justice is vital. This means that victims should always exhaust all measures when it comes to the prosecution of identity thieves.

Additionally, the more vocal you are about your case, the more likely it is that credit card companies and government agencies will react and put forth the energy and resources needed to devote to your case. The more agencies you notify, the more likely your chances of receiving some kind of financial restitution once the matter comes to a close.    

Social Security Administration

The Social Security Administration (SSA), Office of the Inspector General (OIG) Fraud Hotline provides an avenue for reporting fraud, waste, and abuse within SSA's programs and operations. The SSA OIG Fraud Hotline receives allegations by telephone, regular mail, and facsimile. An electronic form is available on their website as well. You can visit them at www.ssa.gov

Internet Crime Complaint Center

Reporting cyber crimes has become much easier, thanks to the Internet Crime Complaint Center, otherwise known as IC3. IC3's mission is to serve as a vehicle to receive, develop, and refer criminal complaints regarding the rapidly expanding arena of cyber crime. The IC3 gives the victims of cyber crime a convenient and easy-to-use reporting mechanism that alerts authorities of suspected criminal or civil violations. You can visit them at www.ic3.gov

Federal Trade Commission

The FTC is a comprehensive government resource dedicated to the protection of companies and consumers to provide fair commerce practice. The Division of Enforcement protects consumers: It ensures compliance with administrative and federal court orders entered in consumer protection cases; conducts investigations and prosecutes civil actions to stop fraudulent, unfair, or deceptive marketing and advertising practices; and enforces consumer protection laws, rules and guidelines. You can visit them at www.ftc.gov

United States Postal Service

The US Postal Service has an informative website that explains various fraud schemes, as well as provides a detailed complaint form for fraud complaints and investigations. You can visit them at www.usps.com

To ensure ID fraud protection in the future, hire a credit protection service that provides credit monitoring online and receive instant email alerts regarding any suspicious activity on your account. To instantly get your credit monitoring service activated and obtain a copy of your credit report, go to www.creditreport.com/creditmonitoring now.