What should I do if I think I’ve been the victim of identity theft?

If you believe you are a victim of identity theft in Washington, it is important to take action immediately. The first step is to contact the three major credit reporting bureaus—Experian, Equifax, and Transunion—and place a fraud alert on your accounts. This will make it more difficult for an identity thief to open accounts in your name. You should also review your credit report for any unfamiliar activity or accounts. It is important to check your report regularly to look for any suspicious activity. Once you have done the above, it is important to file a report with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). You can do this by calling the FTC’s Identity Theft Hotline at 1-877-ID-THEFT (1-877-438-4338) or online at www.identitytheft.gov. If you live in Washington, you should also contact the Washington Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) to report the theft and file a consumer complaint. The DFI provides consumer education and financial literacy resources as well as hands-on assistance with disputes. Finally, if you think you are a victim of identity theft in Washington, you should contact a credit repair law firm. A credit repair law firm can help you review your credit history and dispute any inaccurate information that was included on your credit report due to the identity theft. The firm can also help you take legal action against any institutions that failed to adequately protect your personal information.

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What should I do if I think I’ve been the victim of identity theft?

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