When you realize your identity has been stolen, time is of the essence. F&M Bank recommends completing the following checklist as soon as possible. Additional resources, including phone numbers and website links, are below.
Immediate Steps
Contact Banks, Investment Companies, Credit Card Companies, etc.
Call the companies where the fraud happened (e.g., number on billing statement). Explain that someone stole your identity information and ask them how to close or freeze the accounts. Then, change your password or personal identification number (PIN). For credit cards, you must dispute the unauthorized transactions within 60 days of the date of the statement that lists the unauthorized transaction. The deadlines to dispute the unauthorized transaction made with a debit card (ATM) or a check are complicated. You should call your bank or credit union IMMEDIATELY to dispute the unauthorized transaction. Report lost or stolen debit cards, credit cards, and checks IMMEDIATELY.
File FTC Report
File a report with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Follow the instructions to create an FTC Identity Theft Report, get an automated Recovery Plan, access contact information for companies, and use form letters. Remember your login information. You will need an email address and phone number for online access as you complete the recovery plan. See back for the FTC’s contact information.
File a Report with Local Law Enforcement
Get a copy of the report to send with disputes.
Next Steps
Freeze Credit
Contact each credit bureau to freeze access to your credit reports for free to prevent fraudsters from opening new accounts. You can lift the freeze for free by calling each credit bureau again if a prospective lender, employer, or landlord required access to your credit reports. See back for credit bureau freeze contact information.
Review Credit Reports
Order your credit report from each of the three main credit bureaus from AnnualCreditReport.com. Each report likely contains different information. You can get the reports online, by phone, or by mail. You are entitled to a free credit report from AnnualCreditReport.com from each credit bureau once every 12 months or after you report fraud. Review your credit reports for incorrect information, like addresses, names, phone numbers, and accounts.
Dispute with Credit Bureaus
Mail a dispute letter to the credit bureaus requesting they remove the wrong information from your credit report. Your FTC Recovery Plan at IdentityTheft.gov provides dispute letter templates. Attach a copy of your FTC Identity Theft Report and any local law enforcement reports. Print, sign, and send letters to the credit bureaus. Keep a copy of the letter and enclosures for yourself.
Dispute with Companies
Also, mail a dispute letter to each company for which there is an unauthorized account, unauthorized transactions, or other mistakes that you found on your credit reports, invoices, or billing statements. Ask the company to close the account or fix the mistakes. IdentityTheft.gov gives you sample letters with your information. Attach a copy to your FTC Identity Theft Report and any local law enforcement reports. Print the letter, sign it, and send it to the company. Mail letters to the address the company gives you for disputes. (See deadlines above.)
Apply for an Iowa Identity Theft Passport
If applicable. See "Additional Resources" below.
Further Action
Follow through with disputes and law enforcement investigations. See "Additional Resources" below for legal advice sources.
Additional Resources
Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
Visit IdentityTheft.gov or call (877) 438-4338 to file an FTC identity theft report. Also, visit for information about medical ID theft, child ID theft, and other forms of ID theft.
Local Law Enforcement
Local law enforcement agencies are required to take a report where the victim resides and are required to give the victim a copy of the police report. We encourage you to reach out to your local agency.
Credit Bureau Credit Freeze
Experian | (888) 397-3742 | Experian.com/freeze
TransUnion | (888) 909-8872 | Transunion.com/credit-freeze
Equifax | (800) 349-9960 | Equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services
AnnualCreditReport.com
This is the source for free credit reports authorized by federal law. For more information visit AnnualCreditReport.com.
Attorney General’s Office
For identity theft and fraud advice in Iowa:
- IowaAttorneyGeneral.gov
- (888) 777-4590 or (515) 281-5926 (in Des Moines metro area).
For identity theft and fraud advice in Minnesota:
- Office of the Attorney General
- (651) 296-3353 (Twin Cities calling area) or (800)657-3787 (outside the Twin Cities).
Identity Theft Passport (IA only)
The Iowa Attorney General’s Office offers an Identity Theft Passport to help prove to creditors, employers, and others that you are a victim of identity theft. When you file a police report with local law enforcement, ask to fill out an application. For more information go to IowaAttorneyGeneral.gov. Also, you may call the Attorney General’s Crime Victim Assistance Division at (800) 373-5044 or (515) 281-5044.
Identity Theft Resource Center
For free, one-on-one, personal assistance call (888) 400-5530 or visit www.idtheftcenter.org.
Social Security Administration (SSA)
To report identity theft regarding your Social Security Number, call (800) 772-1213 or see the SSA brochure.
Income Tax
To report federal income tax identity theft, call the IRS at (800) 908-4490 or visit IRS.gov. Fill out IRS Form 14039.
To report state income tax identity theft in Iowa:
- Iowa Department of Revenue: (515) 281-5986
- Iowa Department of Revenue
To report state income tax identity theft in Minnesota:
- Minnesota Department of Revenue: (651) 297-5195 or (800) 657-3500
- Minnesota Department of Revenue
Insurance
If you suffer from a monetary loss due to identity theft, check your homeowner’s insurance policy to see if it covers identity theft losses.
