Step 1: Promptly report the fraud to the police.
 
To be eligible for a passport, you must file a report with the police agency that has jurisdiction over your residence. You can apply for a passport at the same time you file your report with the police. You can also apply for a passport through the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Unit but only if you have first reported the crime to the police. Click here for the Application Form.
The police will forward your application to Consumer Protection. If you apply through Consumer Protection, in addition to your application you will need to give us the police report number and name of the police agency that took the report and any documentation you have of the crime such as credit card statements showing unauthorized purchases.

The Consumer Protection Unit will log in your application and then send it to the Criminal Division for an evaluation and determination of whether the claim is legitimate and adequately substantiated. Under the law, this determination must be made before a passport may be issued. You will be notified when the determination has been made. If your application is approved, we will make an appointment for you to complete the passport process at the Attorney General's Office most convenient for you. At that time, a laminated card with your photo and a certificate will be issued. You will also receive a copy of the rules that include information about the use, expiration, and replacement of the passport.

For more information about Identity Theft Passports, call Consumer Protection at 800-220-5424.

Step 2: Promptly report the fraud to the three major credit bureaus.

Because identity thieves often attempt to obtain credit under your identity, it is important to promptly contact the three major credit bureaus to report the fraud. The three major credit bureaus may be contacted as follows:

Equifax: (800) 525-6285

Experian: (888) 397-3742

TransUnion: (800) 680-7289

Ask each credit bureau to take a report, and to place a "fraud alert" on your credit report. Also, ask each credit bureau to send you a copy of your credit report, so you can determine the extent of any unlawful credit activity that may have taken place using your identity.

If you already have a police report, file number or complaint number from your local law enforcement agency, you may want to give that information to the three major credit bureaus as well, to help them investigate any disputed accounts or other reports of fraud.

Step 3: Contact the Fraud Department of each of your creditors and bank accounts.

Collect all your credit cards, bank accounts and other creditor information (such as utilities, cable, etc.) and their "fraud" departments. Report the fraud to each creditor, even if that particular creditor has not been the subject of fraud, to ensure the creditor knows that an identity thief may have your account information. Ask each creditor to place a "fraud alert" on your account.

If there are charges on your accounts that are illegal, most creditors will also ask you to submit a written report of the fraud, along with a police report, complaint number or file number from law enforcement. You may use the enclosed Identity Theft Affidavit as part of your written report, to make sure you include all the necessary information. Many creditors will ask you to submit such an Affidavit within two weeks of your report of fraud, so you need to act promptly.

Step 4: Report the fraud to the Federal Trade Commission.

The Federal Trade Commission ("FTC") maintains a confidential, national Identity Theft database, and may also be able to assist in pursuing identity thieves through federal channels. They may be contacted by calling 1-877-438-4338. (Hearing impaired consumers may call (800) 653-4261.