Here are the steps you need to take if you are an identity theft victim:

1. Notify the three major credit bureaus. This is the very first thing you should do. You need to have a fraud alert placed on your credit history and your accounts. The fraud alert means that no new accounts can be opened in your name unless your express permission has been given and your identity verified. You need to let the credit reporting agencies know immediately if you are a victim of identity theft. You can contact the three major credit bureaus this way:
   · Equifax: 800-525-6285
   · TransUnion: 800-680-3742
   · Experian: 800-525-6285
2. Notify the appropriate companies. The next thing you need to do call the companies that are affected. Let your bank, credit card company and any other potentially affected companies with whom you have accounts know that you are an identity theft victim. The sooner you take action, the less liability you will have.
3. File a police report. Next, you need to go to the local police and file a report. While the local police are unlikely to actually catch the identity thief, it is important that you have a record of your efforts to document the identity theft. Make sure you keep a copy of the police report for yourself. You may need it as supporting documentation down the road.
4. Call the government's hotline. The U.S. government has an Identity Theft Hotline. It is 1-877-IDTHEFT (1-877-438-4338). Note the date and time that you called the hotline for your records.
5. Close accounts opened fraudulently in your name. Make sure that you close fraudulent accounts. Explain that you did not open the accounts, and that you are an identity theft victim. You may need documentation so that you are not held liable for the fraudulent accounts.
6. Close accounts that the identity thief has accessed. If you find that your bank account, credit card account or other existing account has been breached, you need to close that account as soon as possible. You are not liable for most credit card charges made fraudulently, although in many cases you will not be able to recover money taken from a checking or savings account.
7. Talk to the postal inspector. If your identity has been stolen through mail means, you need to notify the local postal inspector. This is applicable for such things as an identity fraud from pre-approved credit card offers, false change of address forms and tax information.
8. Notify the Social Security Administration. If your Social Security Number has been used by an ID thief to get a job, you need to contact the Social Security Administration. You should verify the information on earnings and reports. You may be issued a new number, but beware: You will have no credit history with your new number, and it can be difficult to get credit in such cases.

Throughout the process, it is important that you keep track of dates and times, as well as whom you talked to. Write down names or identification numbers so that you can locate those who have given you information or helped you. You need as much information as possible.

After doing all that you can, check your credit report after 30 days. Check to make sure that unauthorized changes have stopped, and check to see if things have changed in your credit history. You should check your credit report every two or three months to keep tabs on the situation. Additionally, if you are more comfortable knowing the fraud alert is on your report, you can have it renewed every 90 days.

It takes a great deal of effort to combat identity theft. However, if you are prepared with the numbers you need ahead of time, and if you know the procedure, you can clear things up much faster.