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FBI - (Federal Bureau of Investigations) As far as the FBI and identity theft goes the FBI will only take the id theft case if it; a.) involves terrorism, b.) is a major theft (over $25,000), c.) is cyber related, d.) ran by organized crime (See report 2), or e.) is violent.
Federal Government web portal, or phone: (800) FED-INFO.
FTC - (Federal Trade Commission) The FTC is a consumer protection agency, the FTC is the starting place to reporting identity theft. When you file your id theft report the FTC has a 46 page guide ”Take Charge Fighting Back Against Id Theft, be sure to ask for a copy. This id theft guide will be very important to reporting identity theft to other agencies, as it also contains the id theft affidavit. This id theft affidavit is four pages long and must be filed with each compromised account, bank, agency, etc. The FTC provides resources for reporting id theft, including the id theft affidavit and fighting back book, but the FTC does not restore your identity. An id theft report to the FTC also helps keep count of id theft cases, and shares that information with other agencies. Federal Trade Commission, 600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, H-130, Washington, DC 20580. Id theft reports are filed with the FTC at: ftc.gov/idtheft or Phone: 1-877-ID-THEFT. or 1-(877)- 438-4338; IDD: (202) 326-2502: TTY 1-866-653-4261.
Consider using FireFox as your browser, they provide more security features, like yellow address and field bars when entering personal information on a secure site.
Use Firewalls, anti-spyware, and anti-virus protection on your home computer and keep them up to date.
Contact your financial institutions about handling financial fraud on bank or brokerage accounts. Read and review your financial account statements promptly and carefully look for any financial fraud. If you are a victim of idenity theft, close all accounts, and mail them (by certified mail) an id theft affidavit .
Place fraud alerts with all three credit bureaus. Also place a fraud alert with all creditors and close all accounts you feel may be affected. Some say to only place fraud alerts with those accounts actually affected, because once you place the fraud alert creditors may not, and do not have to open a new account for you, as you’re now at a higher risk. You might need your credit to recover your identity. However failure to alert all creditors may make you liable for charges (by the thieves) to companies you didn’t place the fraud alert with. Use your discretion on this. Also don’t forget to place an alert with; a.) those that have automatic withdrawals from your accounts, b.) insurance companies, c.) any company that appears on your credit report that you did not open an account with. After calling the affected companies, be sure to follow up with letters and id theft affidavit sent by certified mail. A “Victims Statement” is suppose to ask creditors to verify new credit applications made in your name or changes to existing ones. However about 20% of the new credit is not checked, as it’s an additional hassle to creditors. There have been cases where thieves will have the fraud alert diverted to them. In addition each fraud alert is good for only 90 days, and you may have to renew it several times. A fraud alert may help stop someone from opening an account in your name, but it don’t stop them from using a current account. In addition a fraud alert only covers financial fraud. It doesn’t cover driver license id theft, criminal id theft, or synthetic id theft. Where the thief uses your social security number, but not your name. does.
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