Recently, I had a client call me in a panic. She had been carrying around her tax return in her bag and the bag was stolen. She didn’t know what to do. A tax return has the potential to give a thief a lot of information about you. Not only can it can give the thief your name and social security number, it can give them your spouse and children’s names, social security numbers and birthdates. It can tell the thief your address, where you work and even your bank routing and account number. It can also tell the thief if you own a business, if you own real estate and if you receive Social Security or other retirement benefits. With all the potential information on your tax return it is very important to keep it in a safe place.
My client’s question was what to do now that her identity may be stolen? There are several things that you should do immediately if you feel your information has been compromised. Make sure you keep a record of what you do and who you talk to:
1. Place a Fraud Alert on each of the credit reporting agencies. This will prevent any new accounts from being opened. Call the toll free numbers to report to each credit bureau.
TransUnion:
1-800-680-7289
Fraud Victim Assistance Division
P.O. Box 6790
Fullerton, CA 92834-6790
Equifax:
1-800-525-6285
P.O. Box 740241
Atlanta, GA 30374-0241
Experian:
1-888-EXPERIAN (397-3742)
P.O. Box 9554
Allen, TX 75013
2. Once you have placed a fraud alert with the credit reporting companies, you are entitled to a free credit report. Obtain that report and look for anything that doesn’t look familiar to you.
3. Close any accounts that you think may have been tampered with or opened fraudulently. Call each company and speak with someone in their fraud department and then follow up in writing.
4. File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission. You can file a complaint with the FTC using the Online Complaint Form; or call the FTC's Identity Theft Hotline, toll-free: 1-877-ID-THEFT (438-4338); TTY: 1-866-653-4261; or write to
2. Once you have placed a fraud alert with the credit reporting companies, you are entitled to a free credit report. Obtain that report and look for anything that doesn’t look familiar to you.
3. Close any accounts that you think may have been tampered with or opened fraudulently. Call each company and speak with someone in their fraud department and then follow up in writing.
4. File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission. You can file a complaint with the FTC using the Online Complaint Form; or call the FTC's Identity Theft Hotline, toll-free: 1-877-ID-THEFT (438-4338); TTY: 1-866-653-4261; or write to
Identity Theft Clearinghouse
Federal Trade Commission
600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20580
Be sure to call the Hotline to update your complaint if you have any additional information or problems.
5. File a complaint with your local police or the police where the theft occurred. Try to file the report in person but if not ask if you can file the report via the internet or in person.
5. File a complaint with your local police or the police where the theft occurred. Try to file the report in person but if not ask if you can file the report via the internet or in person.
Identity Theft is more common than you might think. Everyone carries around things in their bags, wallets, and purses, and often think, “it couldn’t happen to me” until it does. Many people not only keep their driver’s license, Social Security card and credit cards in these places, but also their children’s information, address books and check books. Purses, wallets, and bags are a smorgasbord for identity thieves. For more information about identity theft go the Federal Trade Commission website at www.ftc.gov.
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