Is someone using your personal or financial information to make purchases, get benefits, file taxes, or commit fraud? That’s identity theft.
If have become a victim of fraud, the Federal Trade Commission shares that the first step is to call the companies where the fraud occurred.
Call the fraud department. Explain that someone stole your identity. Ask them to close or freeze the accounts. Then, no one can add new charges unless you agree.- Change logins, passwords, and PINS for your accounts.
Visit IdentityTheft.gov to report theft and get a personal recovery plan. Learn more steps in the FTC’s resource, Identity Theft: What to know, What to do.
By: Nora Rhoades
