What Should You Do If Your Personal Information Is Stolen or Exposed?
What Should I Do If My Personal Information Is Stolen or Exposed
What should you do if your personal information has been stolen or exposed? Follow this practical identity-theft response guide covering account security, credit reports, fraud alerts, credit freezes, FTC reporting, financial institutions and recovery documentation. Learn how identity protection services may provide monitoring and recovery assistance while you take the necessary steps to secure your information and finances.
What should I do first if my personal information is stolen?
Start by identifying what information may have been exposed and which accounts could be affected. If an account has been compromised, contact the company through an official website or phone number.
Should I contact my bank?
If bank or payment information may have been compromised, contact the financial institution immediately. Ask what steps it recommends for securing the account and reviewing unauthorized transactions.
Should I change my passwords?
Yes, particularly for compromised accounts. If the same password was used elsewhere, change it there too.
Should I place a fraud alert?
A fraud alert can make it harder for someone to open new credit accounts in your name because creditors are asked to take steps to verify your identity. The CFPB explains that an initial fraud alert can last up to one year.
What is a credit freeze?
A credit freeze restricts prospective creditors from accessing your credit file. The CFPB states that security freezes are free under federal law and can make it harder for identity thieves to open new accounts in your name.
Should I report identity theft?
If identity theft has occurred, the FTC recommends reporting it through IdentityTheft.gov. The service can create an Identity Theft Report and personalized recovery plan.
Should I check my credit reports?
Yes. Review all three nationwide credit reports for accounts, inquiries, addresses, or other information you do not recognize. AnnualCreditReport.com is the authorized source for free credit reports.
Can an ID protection plan help after identity theft occurs?
Depending on the plan, identity protection services may provide recovery specialists, assistance with disputes, credit-freeze assistance, and other recovery-related services.
The associated JRF Services ID protection program describes 24/7 identity-theft resolution assistance and other recovery services.
Should I keep records of everything?
Absolutely. Keep copies of reports, correspondence, account numbers, dates, phone calls, confirmation numbers, and other documentation related to the incident. Good records can make a complicated recovery process easier to manage.
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