Reporting ID theft irrespective of the amount of money involved, should be regarded as a fundamental duty rather than a responsibility. Reporting ID theft will also serve as a counter offensive against online crimes and frauds.
Keeping records, credit/debit cards, paperwork relating to financial instruments etc and the careful use of instruments online will keep oneself secure from this form of online crime.
Still if one finds being a victim of identity theft, this good-to-know information at hand will be certainly useful.
The following six steps is a guide to efficient and effective reporting of ID thefts:
- Reporting ID theft to the FTC on the identity theft hotline (877) IDTHEFT (877-438-4338).
- Activating a fraud alert with the credit reporting agencies.
- Closing accounts that you think may have been compromised.
- Reporting ID theft to the local police department.
- Contacting and reporting the financial institutions.
- Reporting ID theft especially if it is through the mail, will require informing the Postal Inspection Service.
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