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ACU Blog  / How to Report Identity Theft & Protect Yourself In the Future
25 October 2024 / 3 minute read

How to Report Identity Theft & Protect Yourself In the Future

Knowing how to report identity theft can save you precious moments when it counts. Be prepared to regain your identity and credit score with these tips.
Words Allegiance Credit Union
25 October 2024
3 minute read
Personal Finance Lifestyle

Identity theft has been steadily rising, and living in the digital age has only exacerbated the problem. Cybercriminals from anywhere across the globe can now hack their way into electronic devices and steal information that can be used to commit a crime.

Scam artists who pose as honest, hard-working community members leave behind a wake of debt, negatively impacted credit scores, and a criminal history linked to the victims of identity theft. It’s in all our best interests to recognize the telltale signs of identity theft and stop criminals in their tracks. 

Warning Signs of Identity Theft

There are a variety of types of identity with common denominators. Fraudsters rely on certain personal information to perpetrate financial and other crimes. These involve records such as Social Security numbers, birth and death certificates, marriage documents, and driver’s licenses, among others.

Each of these sources provides information that can be used to open accounts and create false personas. Operating under the guise of the victim, bad checks are written, merchandise is purchased and resold for cash, and other scams are orchestrated.

These are telltale signs of identity theft:

  • You receive a bill for items you did not purchase.

  • A debt collection agency calls regarding an unpaid account you did not authorize.

  • The information on your credit report does not match your financial history.

  • A loan or credit card application is suspiciously denied.

How to Report Identity Theft

If you believe you have fallen prey to identity theft, it’s essential to gather any and all evidence. For example, if someone opens a credit card in your name, petition the lender for documentation. If charges have been made to an account you have control over, download and print out statements. When reporting identity theft, you’ll need to have the following information on hand.

  • Federal Trade Commission: The FTC offers an online platform for reporting purposes: IdentityTheft.gov. You can also call 1-877-438-4338 to discuss the matter. The FTC will require your personal information. It will also need specific documents to investigate the crime. These include routing numbers, credit card information, and other account data. You’ll also need to provide a physical mailing address, email address, phone number, and date of birth. The FTC will want a personal statement and the name of the identity theft suspect if you know it.

  • Credit Reporting Agencies: When alerting Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion regarding identity theft, you’ll need to provide your full name, address, date of birth, Social Security number, driver’s license, and, in some cases, a passport. Once you confirm who you are, a credit freeze can be initiated.

  • Lending Institutions: You will also need to prove who you are to people at fraud departments, credit card issuers, and other companies. This typically requires information that includes a Social Security number, date of birth, driver’s license, address, email, phone number, mother’s maiden name, and answers to security questions.

Ways to Protect Yourself from Identity Theft

Criminals have seemingly endless schemes to steal personal information from community members. People must remain vigilant to prevent hackers from breaching electronic devices and carrying out physical thievery. These are ways you can better protect yourself from identity theft.

  • Do not respond to electronic messages that ask for personal information, usernames, or passwords.
  • Politely hang up the phone on callers who ask for bank accounts, credit cards, or debit card donations over the phone.
  • Never share your full name, address, email, Social Security number, driver’s license, or passport information with an unknown caller claiming it's an emergency.
  • Avoid signing up for public Wi-Fi with personal information.
  • Consider adding a Virtual Private Network to your phone plan.
  • Protect your PIN from potential onlookers when using ATMs, purchasing gasoline, and other payment stations.
  • Avoid carrying multiple identity documents or cards in your wallet or purse.
  • Make a request with the post office to hold your mail while away or on vacation.
  • Carefully assess all credit card and bank account statements and question any suspicious or unauthorized charges.

It’s also a good practice to store Social Security cards, birth certificates, marriage documents, banking records, and others in a secure place. A home safe or lock box makes it difficult for thieves to gain access. A safe deposit box at your local credit union is another great option.


Allegiance Has Resources to Help

Allegiance is committed to helping our members protect their personal identity information. One of the best ways to keep identity theft at bay is to monitor your accounts inside Allegiance online banking and the mobile app. You can set up transaction alerts and monitor your credit report daily, for free.