Identity theft: a recovery plan

If someone used your information to open accounts, file taxes or make purchases, recovery takes some paperwork, but there's a clear path.

The steps

1. Call the companies where fraud happened and close or freeze those accounts
2. Report it at IdentityTheft.gov to get an identity theft report and a personal recovery plan
3. Place a fraud alert or credit freeze with the credit bureaus
4. Get your free credit reports and dispute accounts that aren't yours
5. If taxes are involved, follow the IRS identity theft steps

Keep a record

Write down every call: date, company, person, what was agreed. Keep copies of letters and reports.

General educational information, not legal advice. Dime Wisdom isn't paid by any bank, security company or government agency.