Continued from Part 1 of How To Report Identity Theft…

5. File your complaint with the Federal Trade Commission. The FTC tracks and monitors ongoing identity theft cases. They can pick up patterns and recognize identity theft rings with this information. If you have suspicions that your identity may have been stolen, inform the FTC either by phone 1-877-IDTHEFT (438-4338) or online at the FTC’s web site YourLost.info.

Keep copies of any reports you file with them, including copies of cover letters and any or other communication you send to the FTC. They’ll be needed as part of your personal records, as well as assisting you with filing reports for other agencies.

6. The local police department is the next place you should file a report.  They don’t need it and you’ll probably know all about that once you try to get their attention. Stay calm; chant a mantra.

Expect to encounter at least some difficulties filing this report; the police from your area might be uncooperative in taking reports for ID theft. Try to file your report in person with copies of anything you have that proves your identity has indeed been stolen, especially that report copy you filed for the FTC.

Don’t accept resistance or reluctance in the police station; demand they take the report. Try to stay calm but kick up some dust if you must. This could well be the most difficult step in your reporting identity theft because local agencies don’t always have the training for how to handle stolen identity cases. Be sure your local police give you a copy as soon is humanly as possible; offer to wait or to collect it.

The police report can be the ultimate effective tool in sorting out identity theft. It’s from the police; it’s official, include it in all communications with companies or financial institutions while you endeavor to clear up the damage and destruction caused by identity thieves.