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Fraud Victim Checklist
Key steps to restore your identity after fraud
Once you realize that you are a fraud victim, start by contacting various government, banking and credit agencies to ensure they're aware of the crime and to put a stop to any ongoing theft.
To help make the process easier, review the following tips and procedures to help resolve any issues with your creditors, remove inaccurate information from your credit report and prevent any further fraud.
To help make the process easier, review the following tips and procedures to help resolve any issues with your creditors, remove inaccurate information from your credit report and prevent any further fraud.
Protect your credit report immediately
- Add a Fraud Alert to your credit report to warn potential credit grantors that you may be a victim of identity theft – online, right now.
- Consider placing a Security Freeze on your TransUnion Credit Report. Depending on your state of residence, you may be eligible to prevent anyone (with some exceptions) from further accessing your credit report without your permission. You can do this online, right now.
Obtain and review a copy of your credit report
- Request your TransUnion Credit Report periodically and check for any unauthorized activity. Should any suspicious activity show up on your report, contact the creditors and question the account and/or inquiry. Also, consider signing up for ongoing credit monitoring , as well as any features that allow you to lock your report long-term.
- If you have questions, contact us and/or the other major credit reporting companies, Equifax and Experian.
Report fraud to the authorities
- Contact government agencies, such as the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), to report the fraudulent activity. You should also contact your local law enforcement agency to file a report. Download the FTC's Universal Fraud Affidavit.
- Contact your credit grantors and financial institutions.
- Contact companies with whom you have financial relationships and inform them that your accounts may be compromised. Banks and card companies may issue new cards and PINs to protect your assets, and will work to identify and rectify any unauthorized charges.
- Notify your bank to stop checks, if needed. You can also report stolen checks.
- Contact any companies on your credit report that you do not recognize. Verify the information they have in their records for the reported item.
- Provide the companies with a copy of your police report, notarized FTC Affidavit and other relevant documentation.
- Keep a log of all related phone conversations, including the names of people with whom you speak.
Follow-up is key
- Follow up with companies and agencies that you have contacted to ensure that their investigations resulted in your favor. TransUnion’s FVAD will help you, but remember that as a victim, you have certain responsibilities, including working with credit grantors to remediate fraudulent accounts.
- Periodically review your credit report. Check for any new fraudulent activity. Consider using features such as TransUnion Credit Lock, ongoing protection.
Important note
TransUnion is here to assist verified fraud victims. If you are not a victim, be advised that TransUnion has systems in place to detect fraudulent efforts by both individuals and unscrupulous businesses. We will take swift action to expose such activity and involve law enforcement in these matters as necessary.
Help prevent fraud on your credit report – online, right now
