You can report identity theft and the fraudulent use of personal information, including:

  • Social security
  • Credit card
  • Bank account numbers

You can also report phone scams.

Contact your local police precinct to make the report. Officers will respond when they are not handling emergency situations.

You can learn how to prevent and respond to identity theft.

Online

Get identity theft prevention tips for consumers.

Get identity theft prevention tips for businesses.

By Mail

You can get a copy of the Identity Theft Prevention Guide by mail.

Call 311 or 212-NEW-YORK (212-639-9675) to request a copy.

To help prevent identity theft, you should shred papers that have personal information before placing them out for recycling.

Personal information includes your:

  • Social Security Number
  • Birth date
  • Contact information
  • Signature
  • Bank and credit card account numbers
  • Password or PIN information

Shredding Events

The NYPD or elected officials may hold free paper-shredding events in your community. Check with your local police precinct or elected official's office.

If your personal information has been stolen, the Federal Trade Commission recommends that you contact the three nationwide consumer reporting companies and request that an initial fraud alert be placed on credit reports.

These companies are Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. They can be contacted online or by phone.

Online

Visit the Equifax homepage.
Visit the Experian homepage.
Visit the TransUnion homepage.

By Phone

  • Agency: Equifax
  • Phone Number: (800) 525-6285
  • Business Hours: Monday - Friday: 9 AM - 5 PM

  • Agency: Experian
  • Phone Number: (888) 397-3742
  • Business Hours: Monday - Friday: 9 AM - 5 PM

  • Agency: TransUnion
  • Phone Number: (800) 680-7289
  • Business Hours: Monday - Friday: 9 AM - 5 PM