Identity Theft
If someone steals and uses your personal information, take these three steps as soon as possible:
1. Place a fraud alert with the credit reporting companies.
2. Get your free credit reports.
3. Create an Identity Theft Report by filing a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission and your local police department.
Then, you can begin to repair the damage. The resources on this page will help guide you through the process.
What to Do Right Away
Immediate Steps to Repair Identity Theft
Here’s how to begin to limit the harm from identity theft.
What to Do Next
Extended Fraud Alerts and Credit Freezes
Placing both extended fraud alerts and credit freezes on your credit reports can make it more difficult for an identity thief to open new accounts in your name.
Repairing Your Credit After Identity Theft
Here are step-by-step instructions for disputing fraudulent charges and accounts related to identity theft.
Lost or Stolen Credit, ATM, and Debit Cards
Federal law limits your liability if your credit, ATM, or debit card is lost or stolen, but your liability may depend on how quickly you report the loss or theft.
Specific Types of Identity Theft
Do you know the warning signs that an identity thief is using your Social Security number?
Here’s how to protect your child’s personal information against theft.
Medical Identity Theft
An identity thief can use your personal information to get medical care or services. Find out how to respond.
Protecting Your Identity
If identity thieves have your personal information, they can drain your bank account, run up charges on your credit cards, open new utility accounts, or get medical treatment on your health insurance. Here’s how to act quickly to limit the damage.
How to Keep Your Personal Information Secure
Safeguard your personal information, whether it is on paper, online, or on your computers and mobile devices.
Sample Letters and Forms
Sample Letters and Forms for Victims of Identity Theft
Use these samples to help write your own letters to limit damage caused by identity theft.
Podcasts
- 11/18/2024 – (1) Enhancing Digital Skills for Seniors, (2) Navigating Your Sexuality After Lost.
- 11/11/2024 – (1) Navigating Mental Health Issues, (2) Harnessing Your Holiday Happiness Hormones.
- 11/4/2024 – (1) Where Caregiving Meets Cutting-Edge Technology, (2) Embracing Grief Across Cultures and Generations.
- 10/28/2024 – (1) Protecting Your Public Benefits from Scams, (2) This Chair Rocks: A Conversation with Ashton Applewhite on Ageism Awareness.
- 10/21/2024 – (1) Get Out the Vote: A Guide to Maryland’s 2024 Elections, (2) The Pulse of DC Voters: AARP’s Advocacy for the 2024 Elections.
- 10/14/2024 – (1) Helping Communities Thrive: Amerigroup DC’s Commitment to the District, (2) Safety First: Fire Prevention Week 2024.
- 10/7/2024 – (1) DC 4th QTR Senior Address 2024, (2) Protecting Seniors from Fraud.
- 9/30/2024 – (1) Protecting Residents’ Rights within Long-Term Care Facilities, (2) Heart Health: Cholesterol Matters.
- 9/23/2024 – (1) Empowering Seniors to Choose the Best Care, (2) Exploring Aging Matters: A Conversation with Cheryl Beversdorf.
- 9/16/2024 – (1) Connecting Careers and Health: Opportunities for All Ages!, (2) The Importance of Digital Skills Training.
- 9/9/2024 – (1) Beyond the Field: Life After the NFL, (2) Navigating the New World of Work at 50+.
- 9/2/2024 – (1) Dating over 40 is Like Thrift Store Shopping, (2) A Legacy of Service: Bloomingdale’s Advocate and our September 2024 Senior-of-the-Month.
- 8/26/2024 – (1) Championing Justice for Seniors Through Advocacy, (2) Staying Ahead: Understanding the Updated COVID-19 Vaccine.
- 8/19/2024 – (1) Back-to-School Health: Tips for Grandparents and Guardians, (2) Empowering Aging: Insights and Advocacy.
- 8/12/2024 – (1) Insights into VA Affairs, (2) Sensory Wellness for Seniors.
- 8/5/2024 – (1) Bridging Generations: Empowering the Ages, (2) Living in Place: Empowering Seniors to Thrive at Home.
- 7/29/2024 – (1) Ensuring Peace of Mind: Navigating Heirs Property and Estate Planning, (2) Safeguarding Our Future: Social Security and Medicare in Focus.
- 7/22/2024 – (1) Empowerment Through Sports: Veterans Gear Up for the National Wheelchair Games, (2) Finances & Final Affairs, Pt. 2.
- 7/15/2024 – (1) Streamline Your Savings: Cutting Down Your Monthly Internet Bill with Comcast, (2) Empowering Your Health: Navigating DC’s Health Care Rights.
- 7/8/2024 – (1) Building Stronger Communities; One Grantee At A Time, (2) Empowering DC Elders; AARP District of Columbia’s Impact.
- 7/1/2024 – (1) DC’s 3rd QTR State of the Senior Address, (2) Understanding Black Grief.
- 6/24/2024 – (1) A Look Inside DC’s FY’25 Budget For Seniors, (2) Introducing DC’s Newest Queen.
- 6/17/2024 – (1) Social Determinants of Health Outcomes for Seniors, (2) Artistry Elevates Senior Living.
- 6/10/2024 – It’s officially the start of Protect Week in the State of Maryland, which runs from today, June 10th through Sunday, June 17th.
- 6/3/2024 – (1) Ensuring Elder Justice Against Fraud, Abuse & Exploitation, (2) Addressing Elder Fraud in Long-Term Care Setting.
- 5/27/2024 – (1) Navigating DC’s Property Tax Lien Auction: Protecting Your Home, (2) Surviving and Thriving: Earl Lee’s Journey and Advocacy in Stroke Awareness.
- 5/20/2024 – (1) Housing Programs for Seniors, (2) Improving Literacy & Digital Skills for Seniors.
- 5/13/2024 – (1) An Inside Scoop of Protect Week 2024, (2) Combating Crimes Against Maryland Seniors.
- 5/6/2024 – (1) Taking A Peek into the May Edition of The Beacon Newspaper, (2) The Importance of Fostering Connections.
- 4/29/2024 – (1) Know Your Tenant Rights, (2) Seniors & COVID-19 in 2024.
- 4/22/2024 – (1) Legislative Wins for Maryland Seniors (2) What To Expect When You’re Retiring.
- 4/15/2024 – (1) Health, Wellness & Community Engagement, (2) Affordable Housing Programs.
- 4/8/2024 – (1) Impact of DC’s 2025 Budget on Seniors, (2) Tips for Navigating the ICU.
- 4/1/2024 – (1) 2nd QTR State of the Senior Address, (2) Financial Literacy for Seniors.
- 3/25/2024 – (1) Veterans & SNAP Benefit Programs Discussed, (2) Our March 2024 “Senior of the Month.
- 3/18/2024 – (1) FREE Housing Counseling Services for Seniors, (2) Technology Training for Seniors.
- 3/11/2024 – (1) Have You Renewed Your Medicaid?, (2) Why African-Americans are Reluctant to Use Hospice Care.
- 3/4/2024 – (1) A Chat with The Beacon Newspaper, (2) Holistic Approach to End-of-Life Care.
- 2/26/2024 – (1) Emergency Rental Programs for Seniors, (2) Talkin’ Bout Death Won’t Kill You.
- 2/19/2024 – (1) Affordable Housing Options for Seniors, (2) Senior Living Unveiled: DMV Insights.
- 2/12/2024 – (1) Turning Pain Into Joy, (2) How CPR Saved My Friends Life.
- 2/5/2024 – (1) Defying Heart Survival Odds, (2) Making Healthier Heart-Care Decisions.
- 1/29/2024 – (1) Social Security Overpayments, (2) The Emotional Changes of Aging.
- 1/22/2024 – (1) Volunteerism & Its Impact on the Senior Community, (2) Health Disparities Update from the District of Columbia.
- 1/15/2024 – (1) The Laughter Zone on The Senior Zone, (2) FREE Housing Counseling Services for Seniors.
- 1/8/2024 – (1) DC Senior Programs & Services, (2) Delivering Tech to Seniors.
- 1/1/2024 – (1) Glaucoma Risks & Treatments, (2) Getting Your End-of-Life Plans in Order.
- 12/25/2023 – (1) Discounts & Payment Assistance Programs for Seniors, (2) Christmas Carols.
- 12/18/2023 – (1) Housing Programs for Seniors, (2) Insights from AARP DC.
- 12/11/2023 – (1) One Show of Commercial-Free Christmas Carols.
- 12/4/2023 – (1) Civics 101 for Seniors; Democracy Matters, (2) A Special Selection of Christmas Carols.
- 11/27/2023 – (1) Medicare Open Enrollment Tips, (2) COVID is NOT Over.