Male VO: Nobody wants to be a victim of identity theft.

But if it happens to you, here are three steps to take right away.

First, call one of the nationwide credit reporting companies: Equifax, Experian or TransUnion.
Have them issue a fraud alert to make it harder for thieves to open accounts in your name.  

Second, order free copies of your credit report from each of the credit reporting companies. Make sure all of your information is accurate and up-to-date.

Third, go to ftc.gov/complaint to create an identity theft affidavit. This will help you file a police report. Keep records of your calls, and copies of documents you send off.

Identity theft can be scary. But knowing what to do can help put you in control.

To learn more about dealing with identity theft, check out ftc.gov/idtheft.  That’s ftc.gov slash ID Theft.  

A tip from the Federal Trade Commission, the nation’s consumer protection agency.