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What to Do if You’re a Victim of Identity Theft

Your identity is more valuable than your wallet—and scammers know it. The goal is to stay ahead of them, but there are steps you can take if you do become a victim.

What is Identity Theft?

Identity theft happens when criminals obtain personal information, such as your name, address, Social Security number, email addresses, phone numbers or even your IP address. They use your sensitive information to commit fraud by taking over your current accounts, opening new ones, applying for loans and even committing crimes under your stolen identity!

How Identity Theft Happens & How to Spot It

Often, identity theft is the result of a data breach, phishing scam, social media scam, online hacking, card skimming or physical theft. With so many ways that criminals can get their hands on your sensitive information, it’s important to always stay vigilant.

You might first realize that your information has been stolen when you see unexplained charges or withdrawals, unfamiliar credit card or loan applications on your credit report, getting locked out of your online accounts or some of these other warning signs of identity theft.

Steps to Take if You’re a Victim of Identity Theft

Becoming a victim of identity theft is an unsettling experience, but the sooner you act, the better your chances are to prevent your information from being used fraudulently and lessen the potential damage. If your identity has been stolen or compromised, these are the order of steps you should take:

  1. Call the companies where you know fraud occurred and let them know.
  2. File a police report and keep a copy for your records.
  3. Report the incident to Navy Federal so we can scan for unusual activity.
  4. Change your passwords and PINs for all your accounts.
  5. Set up an initial fraud alert on your credit, good for 1 year.
  6. Set up an extended fraud alert, good for 7 years. (You’ll need a copy of your police report for this step.) 
  7. Freeze your credit with each of the 3 bureaus—Experian, TransUnion and Equifax—to prevent anyone from using it to open loans in your name. 
  8. Get your free credit reports from Equifax, Experian and TransUnion, and review them for unfamiliar accounts or transactions.
  9. Report the incident to the Federal Trade Commission and get a recovery plan.
  10. Get tailored support from the Cybercrime Support Network, where you can report how you’ve been affected and get guidance to appropriate resources.

As an added precaution, contact the credit bureaus to speak with a representative and request that they review your records for any soft inquiries or unsuccessful attempts to use your credit that may not have shown up on your credit report.

Credit Bureau Phone Numbers

  • Equifax: 1-888-378-4329
  • Experian: 1-888-397-3742 
  • TransUnion: 1-800-916-8800

Initial vs. Extended Fraud Alerts

Setting up fraud alerts prompts creditors to take extra steps to verify your identity before extending credit. Initial fraud alerts only last 1 year, but if you have a copy of a police report, you can immediately set up an extended fraud alert for 7 years. There’s no need to wait between the two—you can place both the same day.  

Pro tip: It’s a good idea to set reminders prompting you to renew your fraud alerts before the 7-year period expires, so you never go unprotected. 

Due Diligence is the Name of the Game

Identity thieves will stop at nothing to use your information for financial gain, but putting safeguards in place to block their attempts before they try is your best strategy for staying ahead of them.

Identity Theft Protection Resources