REPORT IDENTITY THEFT

If you or someone you know has become a victim of identity theft, action should be taken immediately. Here's what to do:

1. Contact the police to file a report. Make sure you get the police report number and information on how to reach the investigator. Give this information to all the companies you contact to get your credit cleared up after the crime.
   
   
2. Cancel checking and savings accounts and open new ones. Contact LFCU at (800) 328-LFCU, visit any branch, or click Contact Us to send us a secure email.
   
   
3. Inform your financial institutions if your wallet or purse was stolen or lost. Tell them what account information, including account numbers, ATM cards, or checks it contained. Contact LFCU at (800) 328-LFCU, visit any branch, or click Contact Us to send us a secure email.
   
   
4. Get a new ATM card, account number, and PIN or password.
   
   
5. Document your actions, such as the time and money you spend on straightening out identity theft. In some states, any person found guilty of financial identity theft will be ordered to pay restitution to the victim for any financial loss, including lost wages.
   
   
6. Stop payments on outstanding checks.
   
   
7. Call the credit bureaus and have them flag your accounts with a "fraud alert."
   
   
   Equifax Fraud Hotline (800) 525-6285
   Experian Fraud Hotline (888) 397-3742
   TransUnion Fraud Hotline (800) 680-7289
   
   
8. Contact any credit card companies where your accounts may be at risk. Close any affected accounts so that they're registered as "closed at customer request."
   
   
   In a few months, order new copies of your credit reports to verify your corrections and changes, and to make sure no new fraudulent activity has occurred.
   
   
9. Keep copies of correspondence and documents related to the theft and make note of all telephone calls, including the date and time of your call and the name and title of the person who assisted you.
   
   
10. Contact government agencies:
    
    
    

    File an FTC Identity Theft Complaint with the Federal Trade Commission or call the FTC Identity Theft Hotline at (877) 438-4338.
    
    
    File an SSA Fraud Report with the Social Security Administration if you entered your Social Security number in the response. You can also call the SSA Fraud Hotline at (800) 269-0271.
    
    
    Call the US Postal Inspection Service at (800) 372-8347.

As an LFCU member, the security of your accounts and personal information are our top priority. We will work in cooperation with you and law enforcement agencies to immediately investigate any suspicious activity.

Click here for more resources on Identity Theft.