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How to Report Identity Theft and Protect Your Accounts

Identity theft can be a distressing experience, but taking the right steps can help you recover and protect your personal information. At O1ne Mortgage, we understand the importance of safeguarding your identity. If you need any mortgage services, call us at 213-732-3074.

Steps to Report Identity Theft

Depending on the nature of the theft, you may need to report it to various organizations. Here are ten steps to take if you suspect or know someone has stolen your identity:

1. Report the Fraud to Your Creditors

Contact each creditor where you’ve noticed unauthorized activity. Notify them of the identity theft and work with them to reverse transactions and close fraudulent accounts. They may also update the credit bureaus to remove fraudulent accounts from your reports.

2. Notify Other Companies, Agencies, and Service Providers

Identity thieves may use your information to open bank accounts, file tax returns, apply for benefits, and more. Report the theft to all relevant organizations, including financial institutions, the IRS, healthcare providers, the USPS, and your state’s motor vehicle department.

3. File a Report With the Federal Trade Commission

Submit a report to the FTC on IdentityTheft.gov. The FTC will create an Identity Theft Report and a personalized recovery plan to help you correct your accounts and recover your identity.

4. Consider Filing a Police Report

Report the identity theft to your local police department. A police report can be crucial for some organizations to investigate your fraud claim.

5. Update Your Accounts’ Passwords and Security Settings

Change the passwords on your accounts that contain personal information. Use unique passwords for each account and enable multifactor authentication (MFA) where possible.

6. Add a Fraud Alert to Your Credit Reports

Add a fraud alert to your credit reports for free. This alert notifies creditors to take extra steps to verify your identity before approving new credit applications.

7. Add Security Freezes to Your Consumer Reports

Request security freezes on your credit reports, ChexSystems report, and NCTUE report to limit access and prevent new accounts from being opened in your name.

8. Check Your Credit Report for Signs of Fraud

Regularly review your credit reports for any signs of identity theft, such as unfamiliar accounts or addresses. Contact creditors to close fraudulent accounts and dispute inaccurate information with the credit bureaus.

9. Dispute Inaccurate Information on Your Credit Report

If you find inaccurate information on your credit reports, file a dispute with each credit bureau. They will investigate and update or delete the incorrect information.

10. Regularly Monitor Your Credit

Use credit monitoring tools to detect identity theft early. These tools can alert you to new credit inquiries and other suspicious activities, allowing you to take action quickly.

Consider Additional Monitoring and Recovery Services

Free credit monitoring can help detect identity theft, but paid services offer additional monitoring and support. These services may include Social Security number monitoring, financial account monitoring, fraud resolution support, and identity theft insurance.

Contact O1ne Mortgage for Assistance

At O1ne Mortgage, we prioritize your security. If you need any mortgage services or have questions about protecting your identity, call us at 213-732-3074. We’re here to help you every step of the way.

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