What should I do if I am a victim of identity theft?

If you suspect that you have been a victim of identity theft in Washington, there are several steps you can take. First and foremost, contact the authorities. File a police report with your local law enforcement agency. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) also provides helpful resources to victims of identity theft. You should also contact one of the three major credit bureaus – Experian, Equifax, or TransUnion – and request a fraud alert be placed on your account. The fraud alert will not prevent identity theft attempts, but it will alert you to suspicious activity. You should also contact your credit card company or bank and inform them of the identity theft. They will work with you to resolve the dispute and handle any fraudulent charges made to your account. You may also consider filing a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. The agency offers a secure online system to file complaints and document your dispute. Once you have taken these steps, it is important to monitor your credit report on an ongoing basis. Check to see if any new accounts have been opened in your name, or if any existing accounts have been tampered with. You should also consider identity theft protection services that monitor your credit score and accounts for suspicious activity. By taking these steps to protect yourself, you can ensure that you are protected from identity theft in the future.

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What should I do if I am a victim of identity theft?

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