Notify companies of your stolen identity

You shouldn’t wait to notify the companies where sudden fraudulent transactions or even accounts took place. Call them right away so you can alert them to the problem.

If we’re talking about account takeovers, your credit card number could be compromised, even if thieves might not have access to your personal info. “It could be as simple as getting your bank to shut (that account) down” according to Lori Gross, who’s a financial and investment advisor with Outlook Financial Center in Troy, Ohio.

Even so, if someone dares to open accounts in your name, impersonate you or even use your Social Security number, you might want to proactively contact other companies or agencies.