What To Do If You Are a Victim of Identity Theft

There are several steps you can take to help minimize the impacts of identity theft.   

1. Prepare a portfolio that establishes your identity. Include such items as birth certificate, proof of fingerprint record (military, employment, criminal), driver’s license, passport, etc.
2. Contact local credit reporting agencies (TransUnion, Equifax and Experian.)
3. Report the identity theft to your local police department. Provide all related documentation as an attachment for the officer taking the report, including copies of your portfolio, credit report and any letters or communications from creditors. The investigating detective will arrange to have a S.C.O.P.E. entry made, which identifies you as a victim of an identity takeover.
4. Obtain a Nevada Identity Theft Passport brochure and application from NLVPD or the Nevada Attorney General’s Office. Follow the instructions and steps listed in the brochure.
5. Prepare a form letter to the disputed creditors explaining the identity theft and any pertinent information that you have learned. Include a copy of the police report and your portfolio information. Send this information, return receipt requested, to the creditors. Demand that the fraudulent information be removed from your credit report. Advise the creditor that a reply is expected and that failure to comply under the Consumer Protection Laws will result in a lawsuit against the creditor.
6. File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission by calling the Identity Theft Hotline at (877) 438-4338 or visiting identitytheft.gov. 
7. Keep a well-organized record of all the people you have contacted in relation to the incident, with their phone number and notes about what was said. Always follow up phone conversations in writing.

Ways To Prevent Becoming a Victim of Identity Theft

There are many different types of identity theft and many steps you can take to prevent it.

The Federal Trade Commission and Nevada Attorney General’s Office provide great resources for more information about identity protection. There are also services available to consumers that monitor basic personal information for a monthly fee.