If you are immediately worried about your credit being impacted, you do have a few options. You can put a fraud alert on your account with each of the three major credit bureaus which will last for a year and require companies to verify your identity before signing up or making changes to any existing accounts. Alternatively, a security or credit freeze will freeze your account with a PIN unless otherwise lifted and a credit report lock is similar to a security freeze but you can lock and unlock your account using a mobile app. If you determine you need to freeze your account you need to complete the process at each of the three major credit bureaus.
- Equifax: Call 800-685-1111 or go online.
- Experian: Call 888‑397‑3742 or go online.
- TransUnion: Call 888-909-8872 or go online.
If find that you have been a victim of identity theft you’ll want to take several measures:
- Report the fraud at the the financial institution where it occurred
- File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission at identitytheft.gov
- Close any accounts that were opened fraudulently
- If you have an issue filing your tax Return, complete IRS Form 14039, Identity Theft Affidavit
For more information on identify theft the IRS has several resources:
- Identity Theft For Taxpayers (Publication 5027)
- A dedicated web page on information related to identity theft
Your state should also have resources for identity theft: See New Hampshire's Here