Recovering from Identity Theft

If you have been the victim of identity theft, there are several steps you can take to recover.

If a fraudulent Montana tax return was filed in your name, contact the department immediately.

Tax preparers and employers should also notify the department immediately if their data has been potentially breached.

This may be required by creditors as proof of identity theft.

Notify your bank, credit card companies, and other financial institutions.

Ask them to review your accounts for suspicious activities, such as address changes, suspicious transactions or newly opened accounts in your name.

You may want to discuss with them putting a freeze or closing out accounts, if suspicious activity is found.

Check your reports for fraudulent accounts or charges. You are entitled to one free credit report each year from each of the three nationwide consumer reporting companies - Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.

You can place a fraud alert on your credit report by contacting one of the major credit bureaus.

More information is available on the FTC’s identity theft website: IdentityTheft.gov.

Additional resources for Montana residents can be found by visiting the Montana Department of Justice Office of Consumer Protection website for additional resources. Under Common Issues, you will find the Identity Theft and Security Freeze sections.