Recovering from Identity Theft
Notify your bank, credit card companies, and other financial institutions.
Ask them to review your accounts for suspicious activity—such as address changes or newly opened accounts in your name.
You can place a fraud alert on your credit report by contacting one of the major credit bureaus:
- Equifax: Call 1-800-525-6285
- Experian: Call 1-888-397-3742
- TransUnion: Call 1-800-680-7289
You are entitled to one free credit report each year from each of the three nationwide consumer reporting companies - Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.
Check your reports for fraudulent accounts or charges.
More information is available on the FTC’s identity theft website: Visit IdentityTheft.gov.
If a fraudulent Montana tax return was filed in your name, contact the department immediately:
- Phone: Call (406) 444-6900
Tax preparers and employers should also notify the department if their data has been breached.
If a fraudulent state tax return has been filed, a fraudulent federal return may also have been filed.
If you have been the victim of identity theft, you should also contact the Montana Department of Justice, Office of Consumer Protection for information about Montana’s Identity Theft Passport Program.
This program helps victims prove to creditors and law enforcement officials that someone has committed fraud using their identity.