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How to File an Identity Theft Police Report

January 25, 2024

Unfortunately, the technology era has brought with it a rise in identity theft. If you’ve fallen victim or suspect that you might have, you know how scary it can be. To protect your financial well-being, you need to stay proactive and file a police report. As you know, navigating how to file can be a bit of a puzzle.

We want to help you create a better financial future and make filing a police report as easy as possible.

Here, we’ll explain the signs that your identity may have been stolen and why reporting is crucial. Then, we’ll give you the steps to file with the local authorities and the FTC.

How Do You Know if Your Identity has Been Stolen ?

Before reporting a stolen identity, you should understand what to look for.
If you're worried about your identity, keep an eye out for these signs (they could mean trouble):
If your ID cards, driver's license, passport, or credit cards disappear, that's a sign.
Getting unexpected bills or invoices you don't know anything about? That's not something you should ignore.
Check your bank or credit card statements. Are there any weird transactions you didn't do? Red flag!
If your regular bills or important mail don't show up, that's a problem.
Watch out for messages or calls asking for your personal info. Legit companies won't do that.
See a new account or inquiry on your credit report that you didn’t apply for? That is a definite sign.
If you get turned down for a loan or credit card unexpectedly, something fishy might be going on.

Keep an eye out for these signs. And, if you notice any, take action. While it's common to misplace identifying information in your home, if you suspect theft, never ignore it. Follow up on any strange activity on your accounts. If you can’t make sense of a charge or transaction, report it to the authorities and let your bank know ASAP.

What Can a Thief Do With Your Identity?

If a thief snags your identity, they've got a backstage pass to chaos. They might run up debts on credit cards, leaving you with the bills. Opening new accounts under your name? Yup, that's a possibility. Brace yourself for a messed-up credit score and financial headaches.

An identity thief might even impersonate you, engaging in who-knows-what kind of activities. And the risk of them committing crimes using your identity. Medical shenanigans? Oh yeah, they could use your info for treatments, creating a messy medical history.

It's like handing over the keys to your life – not a good idea. So, keep a close watch on your accounts, report anything suspicious ASAP, and stay ahead of those sneaky identity thieves.

How Do Identity Thieves Get Caught?

Identity thieves get caught when people notice something fishy, like strange purchases or stuff they didn't do with their personal info. Services that watch out for these things also help catch them early. When someone reports these issues to the cops or their bank, an investigation is started to find the thief.

So, why should you notify the police if you are a victim of identity theft?

Even if the police can't fix everything right away, reporting is super important – It helps not just you but also stops these thieves from doing it to others. So, even if the authorities can't fix things for you right now, reporting could stop these people from harming others in the future.

How to Properly Report Identity Theft

To report identity theft properly, you need to notify everyone involved.

For example, if your passport was stolen, you should contact the U.S. Department of state_[1]. If your driver’s license is missing, the Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) needs to be informed_[2]. These institutions can also help you replace your identification and licenses.

If you can’t find a credit or debit card or you have noticed unusual or fraudulent transactions, it’s important to notify the issuing bank. If you’re a Centier account holder, reach out to us.

In addition, it's a good idea to contact law enforcement. This includes local police, the State Attorney General, and the FTC. Here’s how you can do this.

1. Reporting Identity Theft to Local Police in Indiana

First, if you fall victim to identity theft in Indiana, report the incident to your local police department right away. Call the police via the non-emergency line. File a report that details the fraudulent activities. Provide as much evidence and information as possible.

Obtain a copy of the police report. This might be needed when dealing with creditors or other entities affected by the theft.

2. Reporting Identity Theft to the Indiana Attorney General

Next, notify the Indiana Attorney General's office about the identity theft by filing a complaint. The Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division handles such cases. You can contact the Identity Theft team to request a complaint form at (800) 382-5516 or (317) 232-6330.

The easiest way to submit a complaint is to access the form online on the Attorney General’s website_[3]. You can access a printable, fillable, or online form for convenience.

Be sure to Include details about the theft, supporting documents, and steps you've taken to address the issue.

3. Reporting Identity Theft to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)

Finally, report the identity theft to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). This is a crucial step in the process. You can call their Identity Theft Hotline at 1-877-ID-THEFT. Alternatively, visit IndentityTheft.gov to file a report online_[4].

What to do After You File an Identity Theft Police Report

Once you've taken the necessary steps to report identity theft, stay proactive to secure your financial future.

To safeguard your private information, adopt these practices:

Keep sensitive data like your social security number secure, avoiding sharing it through email, text, or incoming calls.
Only discuss confidential information when initiating a call to a trusted number.
Protect against phishing attempts by avoiding opening or responding to texts from unknown numbers.
Refrain from clicking on unfamiliar links in emails or texts.
Never verify personal information like account numbers or passwords over the phone or through email.
Strengthen password security by avoiding storing them near your devices.
Create robust passwords with a mix of characters, and change them regularly.

Furthermore, you have to protect your social media presence. Don’t overshare.

Avoid posting any sensitive details like your home address or date of birth. Regularly review and adjust privacy settings. Be cautious about accepting requests from suspicious or unknown accounts.

It would help if you also safeguarded your devices with firewall, antivirus, and spyware protection. Avoid downloads from untrusted sources and refrain from accessing sensitive information while on public Wi-Fi.

Finally, if your identity theft incident involved new inquiries or accounts on your credit report, you need to dispute them. And it's a good idea to brush up on the basics of your credit report.

These measures will boost your overall security and help protect you from future identity theft.

Secure Your Financial Future with Centier

Filing a police report is a critical step in reclaiming your identity and protecting your financial well-being. By following the outlined steps and staying vigilant, you can navigate through the challenges of identity theft with confidence.

You can also report cyber crimes to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) online_[5]. If you do this, you may never receive a reply. Still, your report could be important to a case at the federal level.

Reach out to report a lost or stolen card issued by Center Bank:

Debit Card: 1-888-CENTIER (1-888-236-8437)
Credit Card: 1-800-367-7576

To fully safeguard your financial future, explore Centier’s security resource library today.

Sources:

[1] U.S. Department of State | Report My Lost or Stolen Passport: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/have-passport/lost-stolen.html

[2 ] Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles | Replacing a Driver’s License, Learner’s Permit, or ID Card: https://www.in.gov/bmv/licenses-permits-ids/learners-permits-and-drivers-licenses-overview/drivers-license/replacing-a-drivers-license-learners-permit-or-identification-card/

[3] Indiana Attorney General | Identity Theft Complaint Form: https://www.in.gov/attorneygeneral/consumer-protection-division/id-theft-prevention/complaint-form/

[4] Federal Trade Commission | Report Identity Theft: https://www.identitytheft.gov/

[5] Federal Bureau of Investigations | Internet Crime Complaint Center: https://www.ic3.gov/