• Your credit card statement has charges you did not make.

• You get bills for accounts you never opened.

• You are denied credit for no apparent reason.

• Money is missing from your bank account.

Get a copy of your credit report.  Note accounts you did not open and account balances that are suspiciously high.  Contact the major credit reporting companies. Ask them to place a “Fraud Alert” on your report. This alerts businesses to verify your identity before issuing credit and stops thieves from opening new accounts in your name.

File an “Identity Theft Police Report” at your local police station and keep a copy.

Contact companies that have reported accounts you did not open or charges you didn’t make. Send them a copy of your police report and a certified letter disputing the fraudulent charges. 

Keep a record of your calls and letters.