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Identity fraud and identity theft
Identity fraud is usually limited to an isolated attempt to steal money from an existing account, such as a charge on a stolen credit card.
Identity theft occurs when someone steals your personal information and uses it to open new accounts or initiate transactions in your name. Identity theft is easily confused with identity fraud.
If you're a victim of identity theft
When learning your identity may have been stolen, your mind probably races with questions about what to do next. Use this guide to learn more about steps to take if you suspect your identity has been stolen.
Ways to contact Wells Fargo, Major Credit Reporting Agencies and other creditors
| Contact Wells Fargo | We're here to help. Please call us at 1-877-805-7744 to report any fraudulent activity on your Wells Fargo account(s). You can request that the three main credit reporting agencies place a short– or long-term "fraud alert" on your credit file. This alert requires creditors to verify your identity before opening any new accounts in your name or changing any existing accounts. For your convenience, you only need to contact one credit reporting agency, which will notify the others. |
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| Contact the major credit reporting agencies | Credit reporting agencies must provide victims of identity theft a free copy of their credit report. You should request one from each credit reporting agency, because the information can differ. Review your credit reports carefully for fraudulent activity. If fraud has occurred, notify the credit reporting agency and the companies where accounts were opened to directly report the fraud. Once a dispute has been resolved, the credit reporting agency you contacted will send you another copy of your credit report. Review the report to make sure that all fraudulent activity has stopped and your file has been corrected. For more information about the steps to take and for copies of your credit reports, contact each of the credit reporting agencies.
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| Contact other creditors | Contact your other creditors, including credit card and phone companies, banks, and other lenders, to notify them of potential fraud. Consider following up your telephone conversations with a letter and include copies (NOT originals) of supporting documents. Send your letters certified mail, return receipt requested, so you can document when the company received the letters. Keep a file of your correspondence and enclosures. Close any accounts that have been breached and re-open them with new account numbers and passwords. Do not use your Social Security Number as a username or password. |
| File a report with the local police | Contact your local police department if you suspect that your personal information was stolen. A police report may lend credibility to your case when dealing with creditors, who may require proof of criminal activity. |
| Report the criminal activity to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) | Call the FTC hotline at 1-877-ID-THEFT (1-877-438-4338) to speak with a trained identity theft counselor. Or, submit a complaint to the FTC on their Web site, www.ftc.gov. |
| Contact other agencies as appropriate | Postal Inspection Service: www.usps.com If you believe your mail was stolen or redirected, notify your local post office. Social Security Fraud Hotline: 1-800-269-0271 If you suspect someone is using your Social Security Number for fraudulent purposes, call the hotline. Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV): www.godmv.org If you believe someone is trying to get a driver's license or identification card using your name and information, contact your local DMV. |
| Carefully review all of your accounts | Since identity theft takes time to resolve, you should continue to review all changes and transactions appearing on account statements and online. Immediately report any discrepancies. |
Report Fraud:
Report phish and email scams to: reportphish@wellsfargo.com
Lost/stolen credit cards or suspicious transactions:
Call 1-877-805-7744 to report your lost or stolen credit card or if you have noticed a suspicious online transaction.