What do I do if I am a victim of identity theft or fraud?

If you have been the victim of identity theft, please review the recommended next steps below.

Required Steps:

1. File a police report or Federal Trade Commission Identity Theft Report (FTC Report) – Complete a report about the suspected fraud at your local police department and keep a copy for your records. Please ensure that the police report or FTC Report contains our business name and/or reference to your loan. Your FTC Report will need to be printed. It is suggested that you send a copy to the company in question.

TheLending suggests that you include the following information in the police report or FTC Report: 

• How and when you became aware of the suspected fraud
• If funds from the loan were deposited into an account on which you are an authorized signer or to which you have access, include the names and addresses of any other co-owners or authorized signers.
• If you are not the recipient of the loan proceeds, provide any information you have relating to the recipient(s) of the loan proceeds.
• The time frame for the fraudulent activity
• The names of any other lenders or financial institutions you believe were also defrauded

2. Send the police report or FTC Report to TheLending – Now that you have completed the police report or FTC Report t, with the details listed above, please send a copy to fraud@thelending.pro.

The police report or FTC Report will help with:

• Removing fraudulent information from your credit report
• Stopping debt collection activity connected to the alleged fraud
• Placing a fraud alert on your credit report that can stay in effect for seven years
• Obtaining information from other companies concerning accounts that may have been opened or misused due to the fraud

Additional Recommendations:

1. Contact All Other Credit Card or Loan Agencies Where You Hold Accounts – In addition to contacting TheLending, we suggest contacting all of your other financial institutions as it is common for fraudsters to commit additional acts of fraud after obtaining a consumer’s personal information.

2. Freeze Accounts – Close all additional accounts that you believe were used or opened fraudulently. If you intend to open new accounts, you should consider changing personal identification numbers such as pins or passwords. Password tip: It is always recommended to combine numbers, letters, and symbols.

3. Contact Credit Report Companies – Create a fraud alert with the Credit Report Companies.  A fraud alert requires the prospective company to verify your identity before issuing credit in your name. The initial alert stays on your credit report for one year.

To set up a fraud alert:

• Call one of the companies below (Only one is required).
  • Equifax: 800-525-6285 or equifax.com
  • Experian: 888-397-3742 or experian.com
  • TransUnion: 800-680-7289 or transunion.com
• Report that you are a victim of identity theft.
• Ask the company to freeze or flag your account.
• Request a copy of your credit report from each of the three credit reporting agencies. Provide your current contact.
• Set a reminder. Your original fraud alert will stay on your credit report for one year. You must renew if you intend to keep it on for longer.
• Record all dates and interactions, including calls, emails, and SMS. Also, keep copies of ALL letters that have been sent.

4. Submit an identity theft complaint with the FTC – To submit an identity theft complaint with the FTC, complete one of the following:

• Contact the FTC’s Identity Theft Hotline at 877-ID-THEFT (877-438-4338)
• File your complaint online at https://www.ftc.gov/. (Again, be sure to print and save copies.)

5. Dispute Errors with Credit Report Agencies – Send a letter to each credit reporting agency explaining mistakes you notice on existing accounts. Include all errors you found. Provide the dispute in writing and attach the police report and FTC Report.

It is important to follow up on all inaccuracies and continue to monitor your credit report for potential future fraudulent activity. Additionally, you should continue to communicate with each company’s fraud team until the fraud has been confirmed or the case has been closed.

Once the police report or FTC Report is obtained, TheLending will investigate immediately. You will be notified of our outcome at the end of our investigation. If no fraud has been found, you will be informed that you are still liable for the repayment of the loan.