Top of page
Skip to main content
Desert Vista Campus: All clear. Resume normal activity.
A pima student walks smiling at West Campus.

Identity Theft Prevention

Follow the tips below to reduce your risk of identity theft when applying for Financial Aid:

  • Use fafsa.gov when filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form; when you exit the FAFSA site, close the browser so cookies from the session will be deleted automatically.
  • Don’t give your FSA ID to anyone, even if that person is helping you fill out the FAFSA form.
  • Review your financial aid offers; keep track of the amount of financial aid you applied for and the amounts you received.
  • Keep receipts and documents (for example, credit applications or offers, checks, and bank statements) with personal information in a safe place, and shred them when you are finished with them.
  • Beware of student loan repayment scams that request upfront costs or fees.
  • Never give personal information over the phone or the internet unless you made the contact. If you have questions about your financial aid, ask your college or contact the Federal Student Aid Information Center at customerservice@studentaid.gov or 1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3243).
  • Immediately report all lost or stolen identification to the issuer (e.g., the credit card company or your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles) and to the police, if appropriate.
  • Watch the Financial Literacy (Money Matters) Web Recording: Identity Theft and Cybersecurity

Reporting Identity Theft and Financial Fraud

If you suspect that your personal information has been stolen, act quickly. Contact the credit reporting agencies and “freeze” your account so nobody else can open new credit accounts in your name. You will find tips and credit agency contact information on the Federal Trade Commission’s website.

These federal websites offer information on reporting and repairing identity theft:

If you suspect that your personal information has been stolen to file fraudulent federal income tax returns please report it to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) at: https://www.irs.gov/identity-theft-central

AZ Attorney General's Identity Theft page tips: 

  • File an Identity Theft Report with the Federal Trade Commission to obtain an Identity Theft Affidavit.
  • File a report with your local county or city law enforcement agency. You do not need to know the name of the person who used your identity. You can show the police the information you have such as debt collection letters or other indications that you are the victim of this crime.
  • Notify all three credit reporting agencies and every debt collector that has contacted you.
You can also visit IdentityTheft.gov to learn more.

Download your free annual credit report

The three nationwide credit bureaus have a centralized website, toll-free telephone number, and mailing address so you can order your free annual report in one place. Do not contact the three nationwide credit bureaus individually. These are the only ways to order your free credit report:

Only one website — AnnualCreditReport.com — is authorized to fill orders for the free annual credit report you are entitled to under the law.

How often can I get a free report?

Federal law allows you to get a free copy of your credit report through (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) at AnnualCreditReport.com.

Are there other ways I can get a free report?

Under federal law, you’re entitled to a free credit report if

  • You receive a notice that your application for credit, a job, insurance, or other benefits has been denied, or you've faced another negative action based on your credit report. This notice is called an adverse action notice. You need to request your credit report within 60 days of getting this notice. The notice will include the name, address, and phone number of the credit bureau, where you can get your free report.
  • You can request your report for these reasons:
  • You are out of work and plan to look for a job within 60 days.
  • You are receiving public assistance.
  • Your report has mistakes due to identity theft or fraud.
  • You have a fraud alert on your credit file.

If you fall into one of these categories, contact a credit bureau by using the credit bureau's contact information.

Back to main content Back to top