Guide to Protecting Yourself from Identity Theft
Types of identity theft
Your privacy data may be used to impersonate you to open a bank account, apply for a credit card, receive unemployment payments, or file a fraudulent tax return. There are several actions you can take to prevent this situation from impacting you.
Actions you should consider taking
- Review your financial statements
- Obtain a free credit report from the major credit agencies
- Place a fraud alert on your account with each of the major credit agencies
- Notify banks or credit card companies of applications made without your permission
- Notify the Colorado Department of Labor for a fraudulent unemployment application
- Notify the Internal Revenue Service for fraudulent tax filings
How to order a free credit report
The three credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — have central website, toll-free telephone number, and a mailing address so you can order a free credit report in one action. Do not contact the three credit bureaus individually. Do not pay for your credit report, it is free when you use one of the official methods:
- On the web at https://AnnualCreditReport.com
- By phone: 1-877-322-8228
- By mail:
o Print out and complete the request form: https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/sites/www.consumer.ftc.gov/files/articles/pdf/pdf-0093-annual-report-request-form.pdf
o Mail the form to:
Annual Credit Report Request Service
P.O. Box 105281
Atlanta, GA 30348-5281
How to place a fraud alert on your credit
Each of the three credit bureaus allows you to place a fraud alert on your credit. They offer a website and a toll-free phone number for making this request.
