- Place a “fraud alert” on your credit reports if you suspect you might be a victim of identity theft or if you are a victim. This alert will aide in the prevention of further fraud. To place the alert, contact one of the following nationwide consumer reporting companies:
- Equifax – 800-525-6285
- Experian - 888-397-3742
- TransUnion – 800-680-7289
- Report the fraud to each creditor, bank, utility, or service that provided the identity theft with unauthorized credit, goods, or services.
- In Fairfax County file a report with the Financial Crimes Section of the Fairfax County Police Department at 703-246-7800. If the crime did not occur in Fairfax County, contact the police where the identity theft happened.
- File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission at 877-ID-THEFT (877-438- 4338).
- Apply for an Identity Theft Passport from the Virginia Office of the Attorney General after you have filed a police report, or obtained a court order expunging a record because of an identity crime.
- Notify the U.S. Postal Inspection Service if you suspect identity theft or other fraud through the U.S. mail at 410-715-7700.
- Contact the Department of Motor Vehicles or call 877-937-6372 to file a fraud report if your name and social security number are used by an identity theft to get a driver’s license or ID card.
- Continue to check your credit reports periodically, especially the first year after the crime, to make sure no new fraudulent activity has occurred.
If You are a Victim of Medical Identity Theft
- Exercise your rights under HIPAA to correct errors in your medical and billing records.
- File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission or call 877-438-4338.
- In Fairfax County, file a report with the Financial Crimes Section of the Fairfax County Police.
- Send copies of the police report to your health plan’s fraud department, your health care providers, and the three credit reporting companies.
- To reduce the potential harm to your good health, reputation and credit, consider a fraud alert or security freeze with the credit reporting companies. Contact their fraud department at:
- TransUnion – 800-680-7289
- Equifax – 800-5256285
- Experian - 888-3973742