If you suspect misuse (identity fraud) of your personal information to, take action immediately. Keep a record of all your conversations and correspondence when you take the following suggested steps:
- Contact your bank(s) & credit card issuers immediately so that access to your accounts can be protected; stop payments on missing checks; personal identification numbers (PINs) and online banking passwords changed; and a new account opened. Be sure to indicate to the bank or card issuer all of the accounts and/or cards potentially impacted, including ATM cards, check (debit) cards and credit cards.
- File a police report with your local police department. Obtain a police report number with the date, time, police department, location and police officer taking the report. The report may initiate an investigation into the loss with the goal of identifying, arresting and prosecuting the offender and possibly recovering your lost items. The police report will be helpful when clarifying to creditors that you are a victim of identity theft.
- Contact the three major credit bureaus and request a copy of your credit report. Review your report to make sure additional fraudulent accounts have not been opened in your name or unauthorized changes made to your existing accounts.
- Check your mailbox for stolen mail. Make sure no one has requested an unauthorized address change, title change, PIN change or ordered new cards or checks to be sent to another address. If a thief has stolen your mail to get credit cards, bank and credit card statements, pre-screened credit offers or tax information, or if an identity thief has falsified change-of-address forms, that is a crime. Contact your local post office and police.
- Maintain a written chronology of what happened, what was lost and the steps you took to report the incident to the various agencies, banks and firms impacted. Be sure to record the date, time, contact telephone numbers, person you talked to and any relevant report or reference number and instructions.
This information is being provided by Wisconsin River Bank, in conjunction with the American Bankers Association, for your protection.
