Identity Theft

Identity Theft occurs when someone uses your personal information for financial gain. 

• Personal information is defined as social security number, date of birth, account numbers, or unique identifiers specific to you. 

Examples of Identity Theft are: 

• A person uses your social security number for employment purposes. 
• Someone opens an unauthorized financial account using your name and date of birth. 
• Someone creates, buys or possesses a fake driver’s license with your name, address and date of birth to use in financial crimes. 

Someone using your address or phone number without your permission. 

• Your personal information as defined above MUST be used for financial gain in order to pursue identity theft charges.

• Typically, you will need to file reports with multiple law enforcement agencies when you are the victim of identity theft. 

• If you found charges or accounts that exist in other jurisdictions, you should file a report with them. 
  • If you are an Arlington County resident, you may file a report with our Department even if your personal information was not used in the county. 

• Cancel any compromised accounts right away. Call your financial institutions and ask to speak with a fraud specialist. Make sure you document the details of your phone call and obtain their contact information. Follow up with them in writing by filing an affidavit of fraud (usually provided by them).
• Make sure you send all information in a certified letter to the financial institution. 
• Make sure to request the company to notify you in writing when they have resolved your needs. 
• File a police report with the correct jurisdiction(s). 
• You can obtain a free credit report from the Federal Trade Commission to find any anomalies or unauthorized accounts using your identity. 
• Contact the three nationwide consumer credit reporting companies and place a Fraud Alert on your credit report. Once you place a fraud alert, creditors are required to verify the identity of a person claiming to be you, before extending credit to them. 
• Contact the Social Security Administration if your social security number has been compromised. 
• Visit the Federal Trade Commission’s website for Identity Theft. The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), section 609(e), spells out rights for victims of identity theft, as well as responsibilities for businesses. 

NOTE: If someone received a traffic summons using your identity, contact the law enforcement agency and/or the officer that issued the summons for assistance. 

• Monitor your credit reports. 
• Avoid phishing emails/text messages (fraudulent emails/texts from a company you may trust who ask you to click on a link for further information).  All of which ask for your password, username, bank account, address, date of birth, social security number, to "confirm" your identity. Familiarize yourself with the ways to recognize and avoid phishing scams.
•  Shred paperwork with your personal information on it. 
• Be suspicious of irregular communications from your financial institutions, Internal Revenue Service and utility companies. Legitimate businesses will provide you with a safe method of transferring information and often request it in writing via a letter in the mail. 
• For additional resources on Identity Theft, consult the Federal Trade Commission website 

Recovering from Identity Theft | Recuperándose del robo de identidad