Every year, hundreds of people in Minnesota are victims of identity theft. If it’s not caught in time, identity thieves can drain your bank account, run up your credit cards and tank your credit score. For this reason, it’s important to monitor your bank and credit card statements for any signs of suspicious activity.
What should you do if your identity gets stolen?
When you’re a victim of identity theft, you’ll need to act as quickly as possible. If you have identity theft insurance, call your insurer and file a claim. You also need to notify any companies or agencies that might be involved and let them know about the identity theft.
After that, you should call the police and file a report with the FTC so that law enforcement officials can take action. The police can’t do much if a foreign entity steals your identity, but they can track down the thief if they live in the area. You should also notify credit bureaus about the theft so they can place a fraud alert on your credit reports. A credit freeze might also be necessary to keep other people from getting information about your credit score.
After resolving the issue, you can take steps to protect your identity in the future. Change all your passwords and be wary of giving out personal information on social media. You should also shred documents that contain personal information before throwing them in the trash.
Can you pursue legal action for your stolen identity?
After an identity theft attack, you’ll have to figure out how to recoup your finances and rebuild your credit score. An attorney could help you clear your name and restore your finances so the theft doesn’t impact your credit score in the future.
