Go to your local police station to report the identity theft.  Ask the police officer to fill out a police report. Save a copy of the report for your records. This is your proof of the crime. Later, you can give the report to companies and the government to prove the identity theft. If the police did not give you a report, take notes about the visit including the:  

• Names of whom you spoke with,
• Times and dates of the conversations and
• Address of the police station.

Keep this note for your records.

After filing a police report, contact your bank, creditors, government agencies, and other businesses:

• Banks: Most banks have fraud departments. You can find the phone number for the fraud department on your bank’s website, bank statement, or the reverse side of debit cards. Call the bank and ask them to reverse the fraudulent charges on your account. Also ask the bank to cancel your current debit card and issue you a new card.
• Credit card companies and other creditors: Call your credit card company and other creditors. Tell them that you are the victim of identity theft. Phone numbers are listed on the credit card company's website, credit card statement, and the reverse side of credit cards. Over the phone, you can ask the creditor to:
  • Make a note in your file about the fraud,
  • Review your account activity to spot unauthorized charges,
  • Reverse all unauthorized charges,
  • Cancel the credit card, and
  • Issue you a new card.
• Credit reporting agencies: Contact at least one of the three national credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion). Ask them to place an extended fraud alert on your name and social security number. Also ask them to add a victim's statement to your file. This statement asks all creditors to contact you before opening any new account under your name or if anyone tries to change your existing accounts. The fraud alert and victim's statement make it harder for anyone to open or change accounts under your name. The fraud alert lasts for one year. If your identity has been stolen, ask them to place an extended fraud alert. An extended fraud alert last for seven years. It allows you to receive up to two free credit reports per year from each credit reporting agency.
• Employer: Alert your current and prospective employers of the identity theft. It may come up if the employer runs a background check or credit check. 
• Illinois Secretary of State: If the identity theft involves your driver’s license, tickets, car title, or a business registered under your name in Illinois, You should alert the Illinois Secretary of State if the identity theft involves:
  • Your driver's license,
  • Your tickets,
  • Your car title, or
  • A business registered under your name in Illinois.
    
    More information on how to contact them is on the website. The Illinois Secretary of State can also check if a new driver's license has been issued in your name. If one has, ask them to change your driver's license number and issue you a new driver's license.
• Insurance companies: Contact all of your health, life, auto, and home insurance companies. Report the identity theft. Then ask if your policy covers loss and damage due to identity theft.
• Internal Revenue Service: If your Social Security number was stolen and you might be a victim of tax-related identity theft, the IRS recommends these extra steps:
  • Respond immediately to any IRS notice by calling the number provided.,
  • Complete IRS Form 14039 if the IRS rejects your e-filed return due to a duplicate filing under your SSN, or if the IRS instructs you to complete the form. You can use a fillable form at IRS.gov, print, then attach the form to your return and mail according to instructions., and
  • If you previously contacted the IRS but did not resolve the issue, contact them for specialized assistance at (800) 908-4490. The IRS never emails taxpayers to request personal or financial information. If you receive text messages or social media alerts from someone saying to be from the IRS, it is probably a scam.
• Social Security Administration: If the identity theft involves your Social Security Number (SSN), report it to the Social Security Administration at (877) 438-4338. If your current SSN has been used by an identity thief, a new SSN and card may need to be sent to you.
• United States Postal Service: Contact USPS if your mail has been stolen or an account has been opened under your name. Contact USPS if you have concerns about credit card offers and statements being sent under your name.
• US Department of State: You should report the identity theft to the US Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs. You should do this even if your passport wasn't stolen or you've never applied for one.

Take notes during your conversations with all the above agencies and companies. Write a summary of your discussion(s) and email or mail it to each company or agency. Include the name of whom you spoke with and the date and time of the conversation(s). Ask the company or agency for a written response. Keep a copy of every letter you send and receive. If you can, send all communications via certified mail so that you have a return receipt for proof.

If you are a victim of identity theft, do not pay debts made by the identity thief. This includes paying bills (including partial payments) or honoring checks. Pay only bills for charges that you made.

Identity theft is a crime. You are allowed to stand up for your rights. If anyone threatens legal action against you for this, report it to the Illinois Attorney General.

To avoid future identity theft, review the security of your online accounts. Check your online banking accounts, email accounts, and even social media accounts.

First, you will need to change the passwords on your online accounts. Use a password manager to help create strong, unique passwords and keep track of them.

Next, set up two-factor authentication on each of your online accounts.

To learn more about how to stay safe online, visit the nonprofit website for Security Planner.