Watch VideoFix identity theft problems
Story By: Abby Lane
Source: KOAA
Someone steals your information to open a credit card, and then uses it. Your bank account shows activity that's not yours. Now what do you do?
“First and foremost, you ought to call law enforcement," said Jan Zavislan, Deputy Attorney General for Consumer Protection.
The Attorney General's office says police may not have jurisdiction over the crime, but they will allow you to fill out a police report. The report is important to your claim because it shows you’re a victim of identity theft.
“You'll file that with your credit reporting bureaus so that you can put a red flag or a fraud alert on those accounts,” said Zavislan. “You'll file it with your utility companies, your credit card companies, and other lenders.”
Next the Attorney General's office suggests contacting the three credit bureaus and placing a fraud alert placed on your account, filing a report with the federal trade commission, and contacting all of your creditors by phone and in writing.
“Document everything,” he said. “Put everything in writing.”
Unfortunately, the process will take months -- and possibly lots of aggravation. Be patient and maybe even a little pushy.
“I think that there are so many people that are contacting the credit card companies and the banks and others about identity theft that they're a little overwhelmed too,” he said.
The Attorney General's office also suggests putting a "security freeze" on your credit reports. Then no one can access the reports without your go-ahead.
