What to do if You Become a Victim of Identity Theft

Here is information from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and AARP on what to do if you become a victim of identity theft and how to protect yourself.

Every two seconds, someone’s identity gets stolen.

IdentityTheft.gov is a new tool victims can use to report what happened, build a recovery plan, and put that plan into action.

What’s at risk when someone steal’s your identity? A scammer may open up credit card accounts in your name, get a medical procedure you end up paying for, apply for a job or even file tax returns so they can collect your refund.

With IdentityTheft.gov, victims first answer some questions about what happened. Based on the answers, the site develops a step-by-step recovery plan. For example, your recovery plan may include pre-filled letters you can use to deal with credit bureaus, businesses, and debt collectors. As you move through your personalized recovery plan, you can return to IdentityTheft.gov to track your progress.

IdentityTheft.gov is also a useful resource if you know your data has been breached but you’re not sure how. Identity theft is the most common type of fraud nationwide and it’s here to stay, but you can protect yourself. Learn how a AARP.org/fraudwatchnetwork. 

LSS Financial Counseling empowers people to take control of their finances and pay off their debt., along with providing education on how to protect yourself from financial scams.