Identity Protection Resources

Place a Fraud Alert on Your Credit File
Placing a fraud alert on your credit file is free. By doing so, you alert potential creditors and others that you may be the victim of identify theft. A fraud alert can make it more difficult for someone to get credit in your name because it tells creditors to follow certain procedures to protect you. An initial fraud alert is maintained for 90 days and can be renewed for subsequent periods. You may place a fraud alert on your credit file by contacting any of the three major credit agencies:

Equifax – 1-800-525-6285; TDD 1-800-255-005
Experian – 1-888-397-3742
Transunion – 1-800-680-7289; TDD 1-877-553-7803

Please be aware that placing a fraud alert on your credit file also may delay or prevent in some circumstances your ability to obtain credit.

Review Your Credit Report
When you place a fraud alert on your credit file, the credit reporting agencies will send you a copy of your credit report at no charge. Be sure to carefully review your reports. Look for accounts you did not open. Look for inquiries from creditors that you did not initiate. And, look for personal information – such as home address and social security number – that is not accurate. If you see anything you do not understand, call the credit reporting agency at the number on the report.

If You Find Suspicious Activity
Immediately contact your local police or sheriff’s office and file a report of identity theft. Be sure to ask for a copy of the filed report. You may need copies of the report to give to creditors to clear up your records. Check your credit report every three months for the next year – even if you don’t find any signs of fraud on your reports.

Learn More About Identity Theft
Many state and federal agencies and private organizations offer information about how to protect your identity, including the Federal Trade Commission, the Social Security Administration and the Identity Theft Resource Center. See the list of websites and telephone numbers below.