What should I do if I become a victim of identity theft?

Identity theft happens when thieves fraudulently use your personal information for their own gain. These thieves may open up new lines of credit, withdraw money from your current accounts or get your tax refund, among a myriad of other scams. Realizing you’re the victim of identity theft can be a scary, frustrating and isolating experience. If you’ve been a victim of identity theft, it’s important to act quickly to protect your data identity. You may feel like you’re vulnerable and lost without anyone on your side. We’re here to guide you and give you the resources you need to regain control of your data identity.

Follow the step-by-step process below to take control and get on the path to recovery of identity theft:

1. Alert your financial institutions

Banks can freeze your accounts to prevent unauthorized withdraws. You should cancel credit cards and notify your bank to stop checks if needed. Make sure to change all your passwords, even for accounts not directly used to sign into your financial institutions. Make sure you have unique passwords for each account and don’t make them easy enough to guess.

 

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