Learn the basics (3)
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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
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Identity Theft and Your Tax Records
Information about dealing with tax problems caused by identity theft. Content Detail
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- Spanish / Español
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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
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- Spanish / Español
Forms and tools (2)
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Free Credit Report Request Forms
Use one of these forms to order your credit report, free and safe. Read More
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- Spanish / Español
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Western New York Consumer Help Finder
This is a landing page for the consumer triage tool. Read More
Order your credit report (1)
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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
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- Spanish / Español
Reading your credit report (3)
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How to Read Your Credit Report and Undertstand Your Credit Score
Learn what to look for in a standard consumer credit report. Content Detail
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Reading Your Credit Report
This fact sheet helps you understand the information on your credit report. Content Detail
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Understanding Your Credit History
This booklet provides information on how to understand what credit and your credit report means. Content Detail
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- Spanish / Español
Preventing identity theft (6)
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Effectively Erasing Files
Especially important if you're throwing away an old computer, computer disk or CD, learn how to erase computer files properly to protect your privacy. Content Detail
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Here's How You Can Prevent ID Theft
This short video provides tips to minimize your vulnerability to identity theft. Content Detail
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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
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Identity Theft and Your Tax Records
Information about dealing with tax problems caused by identity theft. Content Detail
- Read this in:
- Spanish / Español
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Protecting Your Social Security Number
Has your Social Security number been stolen? Advice on protecting your Social Security number and what to do if you think someone else has been using it. Content Detail
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- Spanish / Español
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Quiz: How Safe Is Your Information From Identity Theft?
How well do you handle sensitive information online? Take this quiz to find out how safe you are and learn some valuable tips. Content Detail
Fighting identity theft (9)
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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
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Identity Theft and the Deceased
Provides tips on how to limit the risk of identity theft when a loved one passes away and what to do for a victim. Content Detail
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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
- Read this in:
- Spanish / Español
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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
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- Spanish / Español
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Identity Theft Victims' Statement of Rights
This site provides a summary of the rights of identity theft victims and links to sites with more information. Content Detail
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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
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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
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- Spanish / Español
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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
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What To Do If You've Given Out Your Financial Info Online
You mistakenly provided personal information in an email scam or on a spoof website. Follow these steps to find out what to do next. Content Detail
Sample letters for identity theft victims (8)
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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
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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
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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
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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. Content Detail
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- Spanish / Español
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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
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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. Content Detail
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Sample Dispute Letter of Fraudulent Charge on Exisiting Account
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
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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
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- Spanish / Español
U.S. military personnel: identity theft resources (1)
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US Armed Forces Legal Assistance Directory
Active duty military personnel and their families can use this site to locate general legal services within the continental United States. Content Detail
