How a Police Report Can Help After Identity Theft

Highlights:

• A police report creates an official record of an identity theft crime.
• Some banks insist you file a police report before you can make fraud claims.
• A police report may make it easier to get new personal documents if someone stole your old ones.

If you are a victim of identity theft, you may wonder what to do next. Your finances and credit could be at risk, which is a scary thought. Filing a police report can help protect you from future problems. It also provides official proof to support your case as you recover. Knowing what steps to take if this happens can make the process less stressful.

Do you need to file a police report for identity theft?

Yes, filing a police report after identity theft can be helpful. Lenders or credit card companies may need a police report before helping you. A police report can also help if someone stole your government benefits. It proves that tax fraud, Social Security fraud or another crime occurred. Banks or agencies may ask you to file a report as part of the fraud claim process. A police report can help you request a new driver's license, Social Security card or other ID.

How to file a police report for identity theft

If you are a victim of identity theft, filing a police report can help protect you from further damage. It can also act as proof to support your recovery. Here's how to file a police report for identity theft.

• Gather evidence. Print out bank or credit card statements showing any fraudulent charges. Review your credit reports to spot any accounts opened in your name without permission. You can receive Equifax^® credit reports with a free myEquifax™ account. And you can access free credit reports from each of the nationwide credit reporting agencies at annualcreditreport.com.
• Contact the police. Call or visit your local police department or sheriff's office. Check their website to see if you can file a report online.
• Get a copy of the police report. After you file the report, ask for a copy and keep it with your records. You may need it while working to fix the problem.
• Report to the FTC. After filing with the police, you may also want to report the theft to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

Other steps to take if someone stole your identity

The best way to help prevent identity theft is to be proactive. There are some easy ways to protect your identity and financial accounts. The easiest step to take is to place a security freeze on your Equifax credit report. That helps to prevent access to your Equifax credit report for the purposes of opening credit in your name. You should also change your passwords often. Make sure your passwords are strong and avoid using personal details.

If you have become a victim of identity theft, there are steps you can take as well. You can file a dispute with the three nationwide credit reporting agencies (NCRAs). You can dispute information that you believe is false or fraudulent accounts when you find them. You can also contact the business where the criminals used your identity. If you know where the criminal used your identity, let the business know so they can prevent other issues.

Protecting your identity with Equifax

One of the easiest ways to protect yourself from identity theft is to track your credit report. Monitoring your Equifax credit report can help you find unrecognized accounts or credit inquiries, which could indicate identity theft.

Identity theft can be stressful but a police report can help you recover from identity theft.