What should I do if I find out my identity has been stolen?
If you find out that your identity has been stolen in Wisconsin, you should take immediate action. First, contact the Wisconsin Department of Justice and file a complaint. You should also contact the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to report the identity theft. The FTC has a website, IdentityTheft.gov, where you can fill out a complaint form and create a recovery plan. Additionally, you should contact one of the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) to put a fraud alert on your credit report. This will alert creditors to take additional steps to verify your identity before approving any credit applications in your name. You should also contact your bank and any other financial institutions to alert them of the situation. Ask them to watch for any suspicious activity on your accounts. If the thief has already taken money, contact the bank and ask for a refund. The Wisconsin Department of Justice also recommends that you create a “statement of facts” detailing the identity theft information and any other facts that you know. You should also keep a record of all communication with law enforcement, creditors, and other institutions. Finally, be sure to regularly monitor your credit report and financial accounts to watch for any unusual activity. By taking these steps, you can help protect your identity and reclaim your credit.
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