Identity Theft Information

Do’s and Don’ts

Here are some Identity Theft Do’s and Don’ts to protect yourself from possible identity theft: Identity Theft: Federal Trade Commission

If you have been victimized by identity theft, you should take certain steps to protect yourself and minimize the consequences. Correcting the damage to your credit rating and good name may be a tedious and time-consuming process. As you speak to the contacts listed below, please write down the names of the people you talk with, their positions, their responses, and the dates and times of your conversations. When sending correspondence through the mail, keep copies, and use registered mail with a return receipt requested. The post office can help you with the procedures for registered mail.

Steps

These are the steps you should take if you suspect you are the victim of Identity theft:

  • Notify all three credit bureaus and advise them of the identity theft.
  • Request a copy of your credit report from each bureau.
  • Request that a “hawk” alert/fraud alert be placed on your credit report.
  • Request that all inquiries on your credit report be reported to you.
  • After viewing your credit report, contact all banks, credit card companies, etc., where fraudulent credit has been established.
  • File affidavits of forgery with all banks/creditors where credit has been established. Contact the bank or creditor for procedures on how this is done.
  • Request copies of your credit report every six months until your credit is clear.
  • Request that a consumer statement is placed on your report (it may have to be written). A consumer statement is an explanation of your credit problems.
  • Contact all the utility companies that provide service to you to ensure that no other accounts are applied for or established in your name. The companies would include gas, electricity, cable, water, phone (cellular companies and a standard phone), etc.
  • Contact the companies first by telephone and send a letter to each company by registered mail with a return receipt, giving your name and your authorized accounts. Be sure to state that no other accounts in your name are authorized. The easiest way to do this is to create a form letter with your name and address where the addressee and account number can be inserted appropriately. Also, use personal ID numbers whenever possible to activate your accounts.
  • Contact the Indiana Attorney General:  https://www.in.gov/attorneygeneral/consumer-protection-division/id-theft-prevention/complaint-form/State’s website 
  • Please fill out the Financial Crime Incident Report form and bring it with you to the Cedar Lake Police Department to file your police report. Click here to download a copy of the form: Financial Crime Incident Report.
  • Once this is done, contact the Cedar Lake Police Department to file a police report. This should be done in person at the police station to make copies of all the supporting documents.

Departments Navigation