I Was A Victim Of ID Theft. What Should I Do?
Once a month, Sunny1 checks her Equifax credit report on myEquifax. One day, in the Personal Information section, she saw a phone number she didn’t recognize. As she reviewed other sections of her credit report, she noticed inquiries from banks she had never contacted and a new credit card account she hadn’t opened.
That’s when Sunny realized it: Her identity had been stolen. She started calling the companies listed on her Equifax credit report and learned the thief had racked up thousands of dollars on credit cards in her name. Left unchecked, the unpaid credit card bills could eventually lower her credit score and make it harder for her to qualify for new credit accounts in the future.
Unfortunately, Sunny’s experience isn’t unique. The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre estimates one in five people will fall victim to identity theft.
When you’ve been a victim of identity theft, it can feel overwhelming. It can be hard to navigate the system and know who to call. But if you have Equifax CompleteTM Premier or Equifax CompleteTM Friends and Family, you’re not alone.
Identity Restoration
You’ll have a dedicated Identity Restoration Specialist who will do the hard work for you, including:
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Guiding you step by step through the identity restoration process and helping you understand your options as a victim of identity theft
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Contacting creditors, merchants, financial institutions, and other third parties where identity theft occurred to alert them of fraud, dispute transactions, and resolve identity theft
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Placing fraud alerts with Equifax and TransUnion
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Documenting and organizing correspondence in case of additional fraud events
*Certain conditions, restrictions and exclusions may apply.
Identity Theft Insurance2
The financial cost of restoring your identity after it's been stolen can be high. If you become a victim of identity theft, we'll reimburse you up to $1 million for certain out of pocket expenses such as:
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Lost wages from time taken to re-establish identity
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Fees associated with re-filing applications for loans, grants, or other credit
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Costs for notarizing affidavits or other similar documents, long distance telephone calls, travel and postage from your efforts to report an identity fraud
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Legal fees up to $125 per hour, for defense of any legal action brought against you as a result of the identity fraud
You must contact us within 90 days of noticing the fraud to be eligible for the identity theft insurance2.
Call us at 1-800-871-3250, Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET and Saturday and Sunday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET, to help begin the restoration process.
Not sure if you’ve been a victim of fraud? Or are you looking for more information on how to handle the process on your own? Click here to learn how to spot signs of ID theft and what to do.
1 This is a fictionalized account based on real experiences of Equifax customers.
2 Identity theft insurance is underwritten by American Bankers Insurance Company of Florida or its affiliates. For residents of Quebec, this feature is not included unless you purchased your Product before January 27, 2021, or you redeemed a code to get your product. The description herein is a summary and intended for information purposes only and does not include all terms, conditions and exclusions of the policies described. Please refer to the actual policies for terms, conditions and exclusions of coverage.
