Take Action to Get Your Identity Back
Just as you are responsible for monitoring your statements and records carefully each month, you are also responsible for taking prudent steps to keep from becoming a victim and for following up with your creditors and law enforcement should you become a victim of identity theft.
You must take action to make sure the criminal activity is stopped and reported to all necessary authorities. You must also work with your creditors and credit reporting agencies to update and correct your credit file to help protect yourself against any long-term financial damage.
But much help is available. Federal, state and local authorities are on your side. Police agencies in Wisconsin are learning a great deal about identity theft and prosecutors are committed to fight it in the courts.
Act Quickly & Thoroughly
If you think you have become a victim of identity theft, it is extremely important for you to act quickly and thoroughly.
According to a
Privacy Rights Clearinghouse study in 2000, the average consumer victim spends 175 hours and $800 resolving identity theft problems. It may take some victims two years or more to resolve problems with their credit reports.
Once you have determined that you may have been a victim of identity theft, you should take
all the actions outlined on this website. Combating identity theft includes a form for filing a complaint and a checklist of other action steps that are highly recommended.
Victim Checklist
Download this helpful
checklist of what to do if you believe your identity has been stolen.