Discovering that your identity has been stolen can leave you feeling angry, frightened and unsure where to begin.Maybe someone drained your bank account, opened a credit card in your name or filed a fraudulent tax return using your Social Security number.
Whatever happened, your next steps can help limit the damage.The first 24 hours are especially important because identity thieves may continue using your information until you secure your accounts.Fortunately, you can take several steps right away to protect yourself and begin recovering.Join our upcoming CyberGuy LIVE class: 5 Ways to Travel Smarter and Save MoneyIn this free live online class, Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson will share five practical ways to protect your trip and your wallet this holiday travel season.
You’ll learn how to secure your phone and personal information, find better travel deals, avoid common scams, save money on bookings and use technology to make your travels easier and less stressful.No technical experience is needed.Join us Saturday, Oct.
31, at 11 AM ET / 8 AM PT.Register free now at CyberGuyLive.com.IDENTITY RESTORATION: WHAT TO DO AFTER IDENTITY THEFTReviewing your credit reports and documenting suspicious activity are important steps toward recovering from identity theft.
(Sara Diggins/The Austin American-Statesman via Getty Images)Identity theft can quickly spread beyond the account where you first discovered the problem.Someone who gains access to your email, for example, might use it to reset passwords for your banking, shopping or other accounts.
That's why acting quickly can make a difference.However, you don't have to solve everything in one day.Identity theft recovery can take weeks or even months, depending on the circumstances.
Your immediate goal is to stop additional fraud, protect your information and create a record of what happened.The following checklist breaks the process into manageable steps.The time frames are guidelines, so prioritize active fraud and comp...