New York

I want to prevent identity theft (3)+

• Consumer Facts for Older Americans: Protect Yourself From Identity Theft

  Explains how to discover if you are a victim of identity theft and what to do about it. Content Detail

  By:

  National Consumer Law Center

• How Can I Prevent Identity Theft?

  Millions of people each year become victims of identity theft. If your personal information—name, address, social security number—falls into the wrong hands, someone else may be able to obtain a credit card, secure a loan, file taxes, or transact other business in your name. Many people only find out that their identity has been stolen after a debt collector obtains a judgment against them and freezes their bank account. Be careful with your personal information and click for more tips. Content Detail

  By:

  Mobilization for Justice, Inc.

• Prevent identity theft

  This short video provides tips to minimize your vulnerability to identity theft. Content Detail

  By:

  Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation

  Read this in:

  Spanish / Español

I am dealing with identity theft (7)+

• Dealing with Identity Theft

  Links to letters that you can use to tell a debt collector or credit bureau about the identity theft. Please note that, to use the letters, you must first report the crime of identity theft to the police. You do not need to know the name of the person who used your identity. Content Detail

  By:

  Identity Theft Victims Assistance Network

• Identity Theft and Your Tax Records

  Information about dealing with tax problems caused by identity theft. Content Detail

  By:

  Internal Revenue Service

  Read this in:

  Spanish / Español

• IdentityTheft.gov

  Is someone using your personal information to open accounts, file taxes, or make purchases? Visit IdentityTheft.gov, the federal government’s one-stop resource to help you report and recover from identity theft. Content Detail

  By:

  Federal Trade Commission

  Read this in:

  Spanish / Español

• Identity Theft Victim's Complaint and Affidavit

  You can use this voluntary form for filing a report with law enforcement, and disputes with credit reporting agencies and creditors about identity theft-related problems. Read the directions carefully and remember to keep a copy. Content Detail

  By:

  Federal Trade Commission

  Read this in:

  Spanish / Español

• New York State Security Freeze Law

  Find out how to place a Security Freeze on your credit file that will help protect you from identity theft. Content Detail

  By:

  New York State Consumer Protection Board

• Take Charge: Fighting Back Against Identity Theft

  This is an extremely helpful step-by-step guide for victims of identity theft, with detailed instructions on how to report the crime. The site also includes contact information for all of the relevant agencies and organizations. Content Detail

  By:

  Federal Trade Commission

  Read this in:

  Spanish / Español

• What to do if your Credit, ATM or Debit Card is Lost or Stolen

  What to do if your Credit, ATM or Debit Card is Lost or Stolen Content Detail

  By:

  Federal Trade Commission

  Read this in:

  Spanish / Español

I need help writing a letter to a creditor, credit bureau or a bank (8)+

• Letter to Credit Bureau - Identity Theft

  Use this interactive interview to create a letter to a Credit Bureau. In the letter, you will be asking for investigation and removal of items that are the result of identity theft from your credit report. You will need a copy of your credit report in hand when you start the interview. Content Detail

  By:

  Identity Theft Victims Assistance Network

• Letter to Creditor - Identity Theft

  Use this interactive interview to write a letter to a creditor collecting a bill that is in your name, but a bill you did not authorize. You can use this letter if your credit card statement lists charges you didn't make or authorize. It can also be used in any situation where your credit or identity was used without your permission. You will need a copy of the bill in hand when you start this interactive interview. Content Detail

  By:

  Identity Theft Victims Assistance Network

• Letter to Debt Collector - Identity Theft

  Use this interactive interview to respond to a company or law firm that is a Debt Collector, or collecting a bill that is in your name but you did not authorize. You will need a copy of their letter in hand when you start the interview. Content Detail

  By:

  Identity Theft Victims Assistance Network

• Sample Blocking Letter to Credit Bureaus

  Use this letter as a template to request a "consumer's block," so that the credit reporting agencies can block negative information on your credit report. Remember to write each of the credit bureaus individually. Read More

  By:

  Federal Trade Commission

  Read this in:

  Spanish / Español

• Sample Credit Report Request for ID Theft Victims

  Send this letter to the credit reporting agencies to request that a fraud alert be placed on your file, and order a free credit report. Content Detail

  By:

  New York City Consumer Financial Justice Project (NEDAP)

• Sample Dispute Letter for New Accounts Opened in Your Name

  This letter (and the laws attached to it) can be used as a template if you need to dispute an account that was opened in your name without your approval. Use it to write to the bank, company or creditor when providing an ID Theft Report. Read More

  By:

  Federal Trade Commission

  Read this in:

  Spanish / Español

• Sample Follow Up Letter

  Use this sample letter if the credit reporting agency does not respond to your dispute letter within thirty days. Content Detail

  By:

  New Economy Project

  Read this in:

  Spanish / Español

• Sample Letter for Disputing a Debit Card Charge

  Use this template to request that a fraudulent charge or debit on your bank account or credit card account be removed. Includes the relevant laws that protect consumers in these situations. Content Detail

  By:

  Federal Trade Commission

  Read this in:

  Spanish / Español

I need to order my credit report (2)+

• Free Credit Report Request Forms

  Use one of these forms to order your credit report, free and safe. Read More

  By:

  AnnualCreditReport.com

  Read this in:

  Spanish / Español

• How to Order Your Credit Report

  You can receive a free copy of your credit report once a year. Follow this link to the Federal Trade Commission to learn more about ordering your report safely. Read More

  By:

  Federal Trade Commission

  Read this in:

  Spanish / Español

I need help reading my credit report (2)+

• How to Read Your Credit Report and Undertstand Your Credit Score

  Learn what to look for in a standard consumer credit report. Content Detail

  By:

  Identity Theft Resource Center

• Reading Your Credit Report

  This fact sheet helps you understand the information on your credit report. Content Detail

  By:

  New Economy Project

U.S. military personnel: identity theft resources (1)+

• If You Are a Department of Defense Member or Dependent and Need to Report ID Theft, Click Here

  Members of the United States Armed Forces and their families have special consumer protections. Report your identity theft to the FTC here. Content Detail

  By:

  Federal Trade Commission