5 Steps to Take Immediately If Your Identity Has Been Stolen
Being a victim of identity theft can be one of the most stressful and devastating experiences a person can have. Luckily, you can immediately stop identity theft in its tracks by following the five steps below:
1. Request copies of your credit report
- You can request free annual copies of your credit reports from the three main credit bureaus (TransUnion, Equifax and Experian) by going to AnnualCreditReport.com.
- Verify all identifying information such as your name, address and phone numbers. Contact your creditors to update any false information.
- Look for any recent unauthorized inquiries from financial institutions or creditors.
- Are there any accounts or loans you don’t recognize? They could be fraudulent. Take note of what institution the loan is financed with and call them to place flags on the accounts.
2. Place alerts on your credit reports
Call any of the main credit bureaus and ask them to place a credit alert on your credit files to alert creditors of fraudulent activity. Be sure to ask the bureaus which type of alert best suits your needs and confirm that they will notify the other credit bureaus.
- Equifax — 1-800-525-6285
- Experian — 1-888-397-3742
- TransUnion — 1-800-680-7289
3. Call your financial institution(s)
Contact your financial institution(s) as soon as possible to alert them that your identity has been compromised. Review your accounts and report any suspicious activity to them immediately.
4. File a police and FTC report
- Contact your local police department and file a police report for identity theft. Keep a copy of the report for your records.
- File an ID theft report with the Federal Trade Commission by going to www.ftc.gov/idtheft or by calling 1-877-438-4338.
5. Help prevent future fraud and enroll in MemberSafe®!
MemberSafe offers RBFCU members security and peace of mind. For a small fee, MemberSafe provides identity protection for you, joint account holders and eligible family members.* Click here to enroll through your Online Banking account. In the RBFCU Mobile app, tap the + button, then “View Services,” then “Identity Protection” to make your coverage selection. RBFCU will provide an access code to register your information online. You can also enroll by visiting one of our branches or contacting our Member Service Center at 210-945-3300. For more information about MemberSafe, click here.