 TITLE: How to Protect Yourself From Identity Theft CONTENT: What to Do if You Believe You Are a Victim of Identity Theft\n------------------------------------------------------------\nIf you notice something suspicious, the sooner you take action to address it, the better. Once identity thieves know they can get away with their crimes, they can increase their activity and make it even more difficult to recover.\nHere are some steps you can take if you believe you've been victimized by an identity thief:\n*   **Review your credit report.** Regardless of the type of fraud that has occurred, take some time to review your credit report to make sure everything is accurate. If you find an account you don't recognize, address it immediately.\n*   **File an identity report if needed.** If you're able to confirm that your identity has been stolen, take steps to report it. That includes reporting to the Federal Trade Commission and possibly even filing a police report. You may also want to reach out to your creditors to explain the situation.\n*   **Place a fraud alert or security freeze.** Fraud alerts and security freezes can help prevent future fraud from happening. A fraud alert will notify prospective creditors that you may be a victim of fraud and encourages them to contact you at a number you provide to verify your identity. A security freeze, on the other hand, stops anyone from viewing your credit report to begin with, which prevents someone from opening a credit account in your name. Another option is to lock your Experian credit file with Experian CreditLock.\n*   **Dispute any inaccurate information you find in your report.** If you believe you have fraudulent information on one or more of your credit reports, make sure you dispute it with the appropriate credit bureau. Disputes are generally resolved within 30 days, and the fraudulent information will be removed if the credit bureau confirms your claim.\nBe Vigilant With Identity Theft Fraud Protection\n------------------------------------------------\nIdentity thieves often strike when you least expect it, so it's crucial to avoid taking the security of your personal data for granted. As you take steps to protect your information and identity, you'll make yourself a more difficult target for thieves and may even stop them in their tracks.\nAs you monitor your credit, protect your devices and accounts, avoid phishing and other scams and keep your documents out of the wrong hands, you'll be able to sleep better knowing that your information is safe. END