Page 25 - Means Wealth 2020/2021 Perspectives

4. Contact the Federal Trade Commission
File an identity theft report with the Identity Theft Reporting Center at the
Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The FTC offers advice on restoration
services and can also help you create a personalized identity theft
response plan.
This identity theft report is a vital part of
Never confuse a
your identity restoration process. With it, “
you can file a police report and provide single defeat with a
proof of identity theft to other agencies final defeat. “
and organizations.
- F. Scott Fitzgerald
Once you file your FTC report, you
will receive an Identity Theft Victim’s
Complaint and Affidavit so you can evaluate your ID theft experience and
determine what to do next. The affidavit covers questions such as: Do you
know who stole your identity? Has your personal data already been used
by the identity thief? What type identity theft are you reporting?

5. Assess your ID damage
Make a list of all stolen items, such as your Social Security number, credit
and debit card numbers and email addresses. Keep hard copies and
digital files for your records, law enforcement and other agencies.

6. Contact your creditors and key agencies
Contact your lenders and other creditors to notify them of any fraudulent
accounts created using your name. Keep an eye on your financial
statements and credit report to make sure fraudulent activity doesn’t
occur and report it if it does. Also, contact agencies responsible for
issuing any stolen documents or identification to report the theft, such as
the Department of Motor Vehicles for your driver’s license.

7. Change your account passwords
Make your new passwords stronger, more unique, and more complex to
help prevent future identity theft.
After identity theft has occurred, it’s important to continue to monitor your
personal information with credit monitoring and dark web monitoring.
Identity thieves often wait years to use, sell or buy your personal data
on the dark web. While credit monitoring will help you spot any new
accounts in your name and other potential signs of fraud, dark web
monitoring will notify you if your information is found at risk online. n
Source: AAA

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