1. Contact all three of the Credit Bureaus to report fraud.  We suggest that you call one of the three credit bureaus first and then follow up with a letter.  Ask the credit bureau to put a fraud Alert on your account. The fraud alert tells creditors to contact you before opening any new accounts or making any changes to your existing accounts. You only need to contact one of the three companies to place an alert. The company you call is required to contact the other two, which will place an alert on their versions of your report, too. Once you place the fraud alert in your file, you're entitled to order free copies of your credit reports, and, if you ask, only the last four digits of your Social Security number will appear on your credit reports.

Equifax
Report fraud: 1-800-525-6285
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 740241, Atlanta, GA 30374-0241

Experian
Report fraud: 1-888-EXPERIAN (397-3742)
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 9532, Allen, TX 75013

TransUnion
Report fraud: 1-800-680-7289
Mailing Address: Fraud Victim Assistance Division, P.O. Box 6790, Fullerton, CA 92634

2. Contact Creditors. Identify and contact creditors of any accounts you feel may have been compromised or opened fraudulently.  Ask for the fraud department.  Most creditors offer this option right up front on their automated phone systems.  Follow up with a letter.

3. File a Report with the Police Department.  File a report with your local police or the police in the community where the identity theft took place. Get a copy of the report or at the very least, the number of the report, to submit to your creditors and others that may require proof of the crime.

4. File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission.  The FTC maintains a database of identity theft cases used by law enforcement agencies for investigations. Filing a complaint also helps us learn more about identity theft and the problems victims are having so that we can better assist you.

4. Document your actions! Write down dates, times and the names of the people you spoke with.  Keep copies of your letters.  You should also use the attached  ID Theft Affidavit.