Victim of Fraud? Start Here Immediately
If you believe you’ve been a victim of fraud or identity theft, act quickly.
Taking the right steps now can prevent further damage and stop new accounts from being opened in your name.
🔍 Step 1: Check Your Credit Reports Immediately
The first thing you need to do is review your credit reports.
Look for:
- Accounts or credit cards you don’t recognize
- Loans you did not apply for
- Address or name changes
- Any unfamiliar activity
👉 This will give you a clear picture of what has already happened.
You can access all three credit reports here:
It costs $.80 for the first week, then $29.90/month after.
🧾 Step 2: Remove Fraudulent Activity
If you find anything suspicious:
👉 Your next step is to remove those items from your credit report
Follow this step-by-step guide:
Remove fraudulent items from your credit report (step-by-step guide)
🔒 Step 3: Freeze Your Credit Immediately
Once you understand what’s on your reports, your next priority is:
👉 Stop new accounts from being opened
A credit freeze prevents lenders from accessing your credit file.
👉 This is one of the strongest protections against identity theft.
Follow the full steps here:
Step-by-step: How to freeze your credit report
👁️ Step 4: Continue Monitoring Your Credit
Identity theft doesn’t always happen all at once.
👉 Fraud activity can appear days, weeks, or even months later.
That’s why ongoing monitoring is important.
Monitoring helps you:
- catch new activity quickly
- respond before damage spreads
- track your progress as issues are resolved
🔓 Step 5: When You Need to Use Your Credit
If you plan to:
- apply for a loan
- buy a car
- open a credit card
👉 You will need to temporarily lift your credit freeze
Follow the instructions here:
How to unfreeze your credit report
After you’re done, you can turn the freeze back on.
⚠️ Important Notes
- A credit freeze does not automatically manage itself
- You may need to lift and reapply it over time
- Always keep your login information or PIN in a safe place
📞 Need Help?
If this feels overwhelming, or you would rather have someone guide you through it:
👉 Call us now: 800-518-1077 (Option 4)
We’re here to help you through every step.
