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Three Steps to Take if You Are an Identity Theft Victim

If you believe your personal information has been stolen or misused, act quickly. Taking immediate action can help prevent additional fraud and limit damage to your accounts and credit.

Step 1: Contact the Credit Bureaus Immediately

Contact each of the three major credit bureaus and request that a fraud alert be placed on your credit file.

Equifax

  • Website: Equifax
  • Fraud Reporting Phone: 1-800-525-6285

Experian

  • Website: Experian
  • Fraud Reporting Phone: 1-888-397-3742

TransUnion

  • Website: TransUnion
  • Fraud Reporting Phone: 1-800-680-7289

A fraud alert helps notify lenders that additional steps should be taken to verify your identity before opening new credit accounts.

Step 2: Contact Any Affected Creditors

If fraudulent accounts have been opened or existing accounts have been compromised:

  • Contact each creditor's fraud or security department.
  • Report the identity theft.
  • Request that affected accounts be closed, frozen, or monitored as appropriate.
  • Ask about any required fraud documentation.

This includes:

  • Credit cards
  • Loans
  • Utility accounts
  • Cell phone accounts
  • Other affected financial accounts

Step 3: File a Police Report

Report the identity theft to:

  • Your local law enforcement agency, or
  • The law enforcement agency where the identity theft occurred

A police report may be required by creditors, financial institutions, or credit bureaus during the recovery process.

If Your Wallet Was Lost or Stolen

  • Cancel affected debit cards
  • Cancel affected credit cards
  • Monitor account activity closely
  • Report any unauthorized transactions immediately

Identity Theft Recovery Assistance

Peak Credit Union partners with Fraud Defender to provide identity recovery assistance for members who believe their personal information has been compromised.

Learn more about Fraud Defender.

Additional Resources

Federal Trade Commission (FTC)

  • The FTC provides identity theft recovery guides and reporting resources.

    • Identity Theft Hotline: 1-877-438-4338

Identity Theft Resource Center

  • Provides tools and resources for identity theft victims.

Social Security Administration

  • If your Social Security Number may have been compromised:

    • Phone: 1-800-772-1213

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to contact all three credit bureaus?

  • Yes. Contacting all three bureaus can help ensure fraud alerts are placed on each of your credit files.

Should I contact creditors before filing a police report?

  • Do both as soon as possible. Prompt reporting can help reduce additional fraud and establish documentation of the incident.

What should I do if fraudulent accounts have already been opened?

  • Contact the creditor immediately, report the fraud, and ask for instructions regarding account closure and fraud documentation.

What if I only suspect identity theft?

  • It's still a good idea to contact the credit bureaus and monitor your accounts closely. Early action can help limit potential damage.

Need More Help?

Chat with us:

  • Ranger virtual assistant is available 24/7 through website chat to answer questions and help you find information.

  • If you need additional assistance, you can connect to a live chat agent during business hours:

    • Monday-Friday: 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. PT
    • Saturday: 9:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. PT
    • Excluding holidays

If you believe your identity has been compromised, begin by contacting the credit bureaus listed above and placing a fraud alert on your credit files.

If you have questions about identity theft resources, account security, unauthorized account activity, or Peak's Fraud Defender services, start a chat with Ranger or connect with a live agent during available chat hours.

Prefer to call? Contact us at (800) 258-3115.

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