Report identity theft or fraud - The City of Asheville

Identity Theft and Fraud: What to do

If someone steals your identity or money, reporting it helps the Asheville Police Department track the crime and catch the person responsible. Common examples include:

Using your credit or debit card without permission.
Internet and cryptocurrency scams.
Someone else is taking your tax refund or unemployment checks.
Stolen Social Security numbers.

Do you think you are a victim of identity theft or fraud? Follow these steps:

Step 1: Find the right agency

Some types of fraud are handled by special government groups. If your problem is on the list below, contact that agency instead of the Asheville Police Department:

Internet scams: contact the FBI at ic3.gov
Mail Theft/Fraud: Contact the U.S. Postal Inspector
Tax Fraud: Contact the IRS
Unemployment/Welfare Fraud: Contact NC Health and Human Services or the Division of Employment Security
Driver’s License/Car Titles: Contact the NC DMV
Crypto Scams: Report it to the FTC and your crypto exchange company

Step 2: Check your eligibility

You should file a report with the Asheville Police Department only if:

The fraud is not handled by one of the agencies in step 1.
You live in the city of Asheville, OR the crime happened inside city limits.

Step 3: Gather your information

To file a report, you will need:

Your ID (driver’s license or state ID)
Details of what happened, including dates, times, and locations of the charges
Bank records, copies of fake checks, and account/routing numbers
What you have reported to your bank
The total amount of money you lost

Only provide this information if you want the police to investigate and potentially arrest and prosecute the offender.

Step 4: File the report

You can file a report with the Asheville Police Department for yourself or your business online at: https://ashevillepd.policetocitizen.com/ReportIncident

Step 5: Protect your credit

To prevent more damage, call one of these companies to place a fraud alert on your credit:

Equifax: (800) 525-6285
Experian: (888) 397-3742
TransUnion: (800) 680-7289

You can also visit IdentityTheft.gov to get a recovery plan.

Step 6: Stay updated

If you find more information later, call the Records Unit at (828) 259-5870 or the detective assigned to your case. You can download your report online or call the Records Unit to get a copy for your insurance.