What steps should I take if an identity thief has stolen my Social Security number?

If you discover that an identity thief has stolen your Social Security Number in West Virginia, it’s important to take appropriate steps quickly to protect your identity. First, you should contact the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to report the identity theft. Visit identitytheft.gov to find out how to process your report. Next, you should contact the three major credit bureaus. Place fraud alerts on your accounts with each of them. This alerts them to watch for suspicious activity on your accounts and to stop any attempts to open new accounts in your name. You should also contact the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the Social Security Administration. Let them know that your Social Security number has been stolen. They may also be able to provide you with a new number. You should also contact your local law enforcement to file a report. The police report can be used to help create an identity theft affidavit, which can be used to remove fraudulent charges from your credit report. Finally, it may be wise to invest in an identity theft protection service, such as those offered by LifeLock or Identity Guard. These services can proactively monitor your credit activity and alert you if anything suspicious is detected.

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What steps should I take if an identity thief has stolen my Social Security number?

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