How to Protect Your Credit

Am I Really At Risk?


What Happened?
  • No personal financial information, such as bank account or credit card numbers, was accessed.
  • If your Social Security Number was accessed, it could be used it to steal your identity and damage your credit.
  • A lower risk relates to individuals who have had their name and driver license number accessed, but this information can still be used to verify identification.

What Can I do to Protect My Credit ?
  • Order Your Free Credit Report

    You are entitled to receive your credit report from each of the three national credit reporting agencies once per year, free of charge.

    You may obtain your free annual credit report from each of the national credit reporting bureaus by visiting www.annualcreditreport.com, by calling toll-free at 877-322-8228, or by mailing your request to Annual Credit Report Request Service, P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta, GA 30348-5281.

    Do not contact the three credit bureaus individually. They provide free annual credit reports only through the website or toll-free number.

    When you receive your credit report(s), review them carefully. Look for any inaccurate information and notify the appropriate credit reporting bureau of any incorrect information. This could include accounts you did not open; requests for your credit report from anyone that you did not apply for credit with; or inaccuracies regarding your personal identifying information, such as your home address and Social Security number. If there is anything on the report that is confusing or you don't understand you should contact the credit reporting bureau and request clarification or explanation.

  • Contact the Federal Trade Commission

    If you detect any unauthorized transactions in your financial accounts, promptly notify your credit card company or financial institution. If you detect any incident of identity theft or fraud, promptly report the incident to your local law enforcement authorities, your state Attorney General, and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

    If you believe your identity has been stolen, the FTC recommends that you take these additional steps:

    • Close the accounts that you have confirmed or believe have been tampered with or opened fraudulently.
    • File a complaint with the FTC using the ID Theft Complaint Form (available at https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2002/02/federal-trade-commission-announces-id-theft-affidavit). Your complaint will be added to the FTC's Identity Theft Data Clearinghouse, where it will be accessible by law enforcement agencies for their investigations. Use the FTC's ID Theft Form when filing a report with law enforcement or to address disputes with credit reporting agencies and creditors about identity theft related problems, such as new unauthorized accounts.
    • File a local police report. Obtain a copy of the police report and submit it to your creditors and any others that may require proof of the identity theft crime.

    You can learn more about how to protect yourself from becoming a victim of identity theft by contacting the FTC:

    Federal Trade Commission
    Consumer Response Center
    600 Pennsylvania Ave, NW
    Washington, DC 20580
    1-877-IDTHEFT (438-4338)
    www.ftc.gov/idtheft/


  • Place a Fraud Alert on Your Credit File

    You can add a fraud alert message to your credit report to help protect your credit information. Fraud alert messages notify potential credit grantors to verify your identification before extending credit in your name in case someone is using your information without your consent. A fraud alert may delay your ability to obtain credit as there are added precautions that creditors may take to verify your identity.

    You can report potential identity theft to all three of the major credit bureaus by calling any one of the toll-free fraud numbers below. You will reach an automated telephone system that allows you to flag your file with a fraud alert at all three bureaus:

    Equifax
    Equifax Information Services, LLC
    PO Box 105069
    Atlanta, GA 30348-5069
    877-478-7625
    www.equifax.com

    Experian
    PO Box 9532
    Allen, TX 75013
    888-397-3742
    www.experian.com

    TransUnion
    Fraud Victim Assistance Division
    PO Box 6790
    Fullerton, CA 92834-6790
    800-680-7289
    www.transunion.com


  • DOL License Integrity Unit

    The Department of Licensing (DOL) License Integrity Unit (LIU) is responsible for investigating criminal activity related to driver licenses, permits, and ID cards. We cooperate with law enforcement, government agencies, and customers to minimize the impacts of identity theft, identity fraud, unethical conduct, and other criminal activity.

    • Email: fraud@dol.wa.gov
    • Phone: 360-902-3915
    • Fax: 360-570-1246
    • Mail:
         License Integrity Unit
         Department of Licensing
         PO Box 9029
         Olympia, WA 98507-9029

  • Crime Victims Advocacy Network

    For legal questions about identity theft, contact the Crime Victims Advocacy Network (CVAN):

    • Phone: 1-866-711-2826 (24-hour toll free crisis line)
    • Website: www.cvan11.org
 

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