Responding to Identity Theft

If your personal identifying information is being used by someone else for fraudulent or criminal purposes, such as applying for a credit card or obtaining loans in your name, making unauthorized purchases, or gaining access to your bank accounts or other private information, you can follow the steps below:

If you find any fraudulent accounts or unauthorized access on your record, contact the security departments of the creditors or financial institutions that granted the credit and close these accounts.

If you discover misuse of your Social Security number, contact the Social Security Fraud Hotline at 1-800-269-0271 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. TTY: 1-800-501-2101.

If your personal information is being used for fraudulent or criminal purposes, file a report with the police. Keep a copy of the police report in case you need proof of the crime to show the bank, credit card company, or others. Requests for the police report for this incident can be directed to the Yellow Springs Police Dept., 100 Dayton Street, Yellow Springs, Ohio 45387.

If you are a victim of identity theft, you can also file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) by Internet: www.consumer.gov/idtheft/ (click File a Complaint from the menu at the left); Telephone: 1-877-438-4338; or TDD: 202-326-2502.

Keep a record of all communications with credit bureaus, creditors, financial institutions, and police, including dates.

Additional Information

Social Security Administration - The Social Security Administration is the government agency responsible for issuing and managing Social Security numbers. The agency's official site walks you through who to contact, when, and why. It also links to two useful fact sheets: When Someone Misuses Your Number (05-10064) and Social Security-Your Number and Card (05-10002)

Department of Justice - The Department of Justice site describes what can happen if you are a victim of data theft or identity fraud. It provides logical steps for action, tips for reducing your risk of fraud, and phone numbers, addresses, and links to credit bureaus and other governmental agencies you may need to contact.

Federal Trade Commission - This site provides a document titled ID Theft: When Bad Things Happen To Your Good Name that includes information on steps to follow if you are a victim of identity theft.

ID Theft Information - This is the U.S. government's central Web site for information about identity theft, maintained by the Federal Trade Commission, offering government reports, consumer updates, and links to other sites.

Identity Theft Resource Center - The Identity Theft Resource Center is a nonprofit, nationally respected program dedicated exclusively to identity theft. It provides consumer and victim support and advises governmental agencies, legislators and companies about this evolving and growing crime.