What can I do if I'm a victim of identity theft in Missouri?

1. Immediate Steps

(a) File an FTC Identity Theft Report at IdentityTheft.gov with the FTC Affidavit. (b) File a police report with your local Missouri agency. (c) Place a fraud alert with Experian, Equifax, or TransUnion. (d) Place a credit freeze at all three bureaus, free under 15 U.S.C. § 1681c-1.

2. FCRA Rights

The Fair Credit Reporting Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1681 et seq., provides blocking (§ 1681c-2), disputes (§ 1681i), and records access (§ 1681g(e)).

3. State Identity Theft Statute

RSMo § 570.223 grades by amount: Class A misdemeanor (up to 1 year) under $750; Class E felony ($750-$5,000); Class D felony ($5,000-$50,000); Class C felony ($50,000-$500,000); Class B felony (5-15 years) over $500,000.

4. State Identity Theft Passport / Victim Notification

Missouri does not issue a formal passport but the AG's Consumer Protection Section provides assistance and a victim certification letter program.

5. Restitution & Civil Remedies

RSMo § 570.223.7 authorizes civil suit for actual damages, equitable relief, costs, and reasonable attorney's fees. Criminal restitution under RSMo § 559.105.

6. Tax-Related ID Theft

File IRS Form 14039 and request an IP PIN at IRS.gov; notify the Missouri Department of Revenue.

7. Child ID Theft

RSMo § 407.1500 allows protected consumer freezes for minors, free of charge.

8. Medical ID Theft

Notify insurer and request HIPAA accounting (45 C.F.R. § 164.528).

9. Synthetic Identity / Account Takeover

Section 570.223 reaches use of "means of identification"; Regulation E (12 C.F.R. § 1005.6) covers EFTs.

10. Statute of Limitations

Civil claims under § 570.223.7 follow Missouri's 5-year tort SOL, RSMo § 516.120.

This is legal information, not legal advice.