Notifying Your Financial Institutions

If you are the victim of identity theft, responding quickly is crucial and will save you a lot of hassle in the long run.


This page:

    • Explains who you need to contact

    • Lists the steps you should take if you suspect identity fraud

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How to get the banks to help you

After calling the fraud departments at the three credit bureaus, you should contact the financial institutions at which fraudulent activity took place in your name, and your own bank(s) and credit card companies.

Immediately notifying your financial institutions helps recoup your loses and can help save your credit reputation.

To report identity theft, call each financial institution with whom you have an account. Ask to speak with their fraud department and explain your situation.

It's a good idea to take a few notes during your conversation. Follow up by sending a written account of your phone conversation to your financial institution.

Each letter should include:

    • the date and time of the call,
    • the name of the individual with whom you spoke, and
    • the recommended actions to be taken.

Your bank will likely ask you to send a fraud affdavit. You can get a copy from the FTC website, here (PDF format):

http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/credit/affidavit.pdf

Finally, remember to close the account that has been fraudulently accessed. When you open a new one use a different password and PIN number.


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