So, the chances are that you’re interested in finding out a little bit more about identity theft. It seems like a rather obvious thing, right? I mean, let’s be real. Why else would you be searching for identity theft in the first place?
For most folks, looking up identity theft is nothing more than a longing for knowledge so that they can better protect themselves. Maybe their credit report looks suspicious and those fraud alert bells are ringing.
It’s like looking for a vaccination jab before disaster strikes. However, I’m guessing you’re not like most folk. In fact, I guess you have just realized that your identity has been assumed by an imposter. What you are really looking for is information on how to report the fraudulent activity on your credit card or other accounts to the authorities.
This article is here to help by showing you how you should report identity theft and file a fraud affidavit. By the time you’re done reading this blog post, you’ll have a pretty good idea of how to go about it.
What Is Identity Theft?
Identity theft is when someone else uses your information to assume your identity to gain financial benefits. Most of the time, the fraudsters will use your name, your Social Security number, electronic signatures, driver’s license, bank account, date of birth and passwords to access your financial resources or commit financial fraud.
What Is an Identity Theft Affidavit?
This is basically a document that helps identity theft victims prove that their personal information has been used for fraudulent purposes. It includes your personal and account information and a detailed statement of the events surrounding your identity theft.
If you’ve had your identity stolen, you should head over to the Federal Trade Commission’s website to report identity theft with them and file an ID theft affidavit while you’re there. This is the fastest way to get your life back after identity theft.
Reporting Identity Theft
So, what else do you need to do when asking yourself how do I report identity theft?
Filing a report with the police is the simple answer, although it’s more complicated than just filing a report. With identity theft, we are talking about someone possibly running your life as you. So, the question becomes how do you convince people that you are who you say you are?
If you are new to this, all the information you’ve read might seem like utter jibberish. What’s more, many bloggers might not factor in all the details because, well, they don’t expect things to go that far anyway. In this blog post, we’ll give you a detailed description of everything you need to do and how to do it.
Assuming that it’s financial identity theft, you should use the online FTC complaint assistant to walk you through filing your report. You’ll find a list of questions that try to gather as much information about the incident and the events surrounding identity theft.
Some of these questions include:
- What did the identity thief use your information for?
- When did you first notice that your identity had been stolen?
- How many losses have you incurred as a result?
- Have you reported the identity theft to the police?
- Was any of your personal information exposed?
- What type of identity theft are you reporting?
Once you’re done filing a report, you can print a copy of the identity theft affidavit and get it notarized. Take the time to make several copies and get each one notarized, while you’re at it.
This may seem like a painful process but those notarized identity fraud affidavits will come in handy when you’re reporting the issue to financial institutions and your local police department, as well as being a quick and easy way to fend off any debt collectors that come looking for you after your identity has been stolen.
File an Identity Theft Police Report
According to the FTC, it’s better to file a report when you have the affidavit. However, if you want to file a report then get an affidavit, that works too. It’s all a matter of preference.
Anyway, once you have the affidavit, you’ll need to file a report with the police. When you file the report, you’ll get a case number and a copy of the full police report later on. By now, you have the affidavit and the police report. And, with the two, you have your identity theft report. With that out of the way, you can rest easy. Or can you?
Extra ID Theft Precautions
Of course, there are a couple of extra precautions you can take to make sure your identity is as safe as it can be. Take a look at these simple ways to make sure you’re protected against further identity theft.
- Place a credit freeze on your accounts
- Contact the Internal Revenue Service
- Contact the Social Security Administration
No matter what type of identity theft you have experienced, the “how” of reporting remains the same. The secret is to take prompt action before things get too far!