Identity Theft

RESOURCES FOR VICTIMS OF IDENTITY THEFT

If you find or even suspect that your personal identifying information has been misused by someone without your consent, you may be the victim of identity theft. If this happens, act immediately. When it comes to identity theft the sooner you act the more likely you are to get help in stopping or minimizing the damage.

Nearly half of all identity theft occurs when a wallet or purse is missing or stolen.

Report the problem to the Moscow Mills Police Department

If you live within City limits or if the crime occurred in the City of Moscow Mills, contact the Moscow Mills Police Department at 636-528-6100. If the crime occurred elsewhere, be sure to report the incident to local law enforcement where the crime occurred.

Report the problem to the Missouri Attorney General’s Office

Review the Attorney General’s information on identity theft. You may file a complaint with the Attorney General either online or by calling their hotline at 800-392-8222. Investigators also will provide advice on what to do next.

Report the problem to the Federal Trade Commission

File a complaint with the FTC at IdentityTheft.gov.

Alert your bank and credit card issuers

  • Request an account number change for your legitimate credit card(s).
  • Don’t close legitimate accounts or you risk sending the wrong message and damaging your credit score. Instead, request new account numbers, PINs,  ATM cards, change all your passwords, and get a new checking account number if your checkbook is missing.

Contact each of the three credit bureaus

  • Request your credit report and review it for accounts you didn’t open, debts you didn’t know about, inquiries from companies you don’t know, and other inaccurate information.
  • Also place a fraud alert or security freeze on your file or credit report. The fraud alert tells creditors to follow certain procedures before they can open new accounts in your name or make changes to existing accounts. Fraud alerts are free. Security freezes are reportedly more secure and sometimes they are free for people 65 and older.
  • Cancel any accounts you did not open.
    •  Equifax – 800-525-6285 (report fraud)
    •  Experian – 888-397-3742 (toll free)
    •  TransUnion – 800-680-7289 (report fraud)