What to do if your identity is stolen

If you’ve discovered charges to your bank account you can’t explain, your identity has been stolen. In 2020, more than 1.4 million people were victims of identity theft, according to the Federal Trade Commission.

If you become a victim of identity theft, it’s important to act quickly. Here are some steps you can take to stop it.

1. Notify creditors and bank where the fraud occurred: Call the fraud departments where you know the thief used your personal information. They may close or freeze your compromised accounts at this point.
2. Place a fraud alert on your credit report: Contact one of the credit reporting agencies such as Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion. Request a fraud alert to be placed on your credit report. You don’t have to contact all three agencies. The bureau you contact must report the fraud alert to the other two. This alert lasts for one year. You can also place an extended alert on your report, lasting seven years; however, you’ll have to first complete an identity theft report or file a police report.
3. Get copies of your credit report: You can request one free copy from each of the credit bureaus. If you request an extended fraud alert, you can have two free reports within 12 months after placing the alert. Make sure to review your reports for any questionable transactions.
4. Freeze your credit: This prevents the credit bureaus from releasing your credit report to new creditors without your permission.
5. Report to the Federal Trade Commission: The FTC will create a report that you use to prove the theft to businesses and financial institutions. Visit identitytheft.gov or call 877-438-4338.
6. Report to law enforcement: File a report with the police department. Make sure they list all accounts affected by the fraud and provide all documentation including your FTC identity theft report. Keep a copy of the report for your records.
7. Contact the IRS: Make sure you’re not a victim of tax-related identity theft. Respond to any IRS notices alerting you to fraudulent activity.
8. Remove fraud from your credit report: Contact each credit bureau to have any fraudulent information removed. You’re required to submit a letter requesting the removal. The FTC has a sample letter that will help in writing a response. You should include a copy of your identity theft report and any identifying information.
9. Contact your health insurance, medical care, and utility providers: Alert any companies or providers to make sure the thief hasn’t used your personal information to open a new account or receive services.
10. Contact the DMV or licensing agency: Have them place an alert on your license number.
11. Replace your stolen identification: Request replacement identification if it was stolen. This includes your Social Security card, driver’s license, and passport. If your Social Security number was fraudulently used, contact the Social Security Administration, and request a copy of your earnings record to review.
12. Change your account passwords and account numbers: Make sure to contact any companies where you have accounts and update your online accounts with new secure passwords or passphrases.

More on identity theft

For more information about identity theft, visit our customer security information section on Adirondack Bank’s website. We are committed to working with our Internet service and communications providers to produce the safest operating environment possible for our customers.

Lost or stolen cards

If your debit or credit card is lost or stolen:

• Debit cards: During our business hours, lost or stolen Adirondack Bank debit cards can be reported through our Client Services Department at (315) 272-2500 or toll free at 1-877-404-2265, choose Option 1. After business hours and weekends, please use 1-833-312-3729.
• Credit cards: Lost or stolen cards should be reported to UMB Bank Customer Service at 1-800-821-5184. They are available 24 hours day and seven days a week.

The information in this article was obtained from various sources not associated with Adirondack Bank. While we believe it to be reliable and accurate, we do not warrant the accuracy or reliability of the information. Adirondack Bank is not responsible for, and does not endorse or approve, either implicitly or explicitly, the information provided or the content of any third-party sites that might be hyperlinked from this page. The information is not intended to replace manuals, instructions or information provided by a manufacturer or the advice of a qualified professional, or to affect coverage under any applicable insurance policy. These suggestions are not a complete list of every loss control measure. Adirondack Bank makes no guarantees of results from use of this information.