for years, esther taylor endured the calls and letters from debt collectors. >> this is her signature. >> is that your signature? >> no. >> reporter: esther claims an security number and took out loans totaling $100,000. >> that's what she put as me. my name. signature. but it's not me. >> reporter: she tried filing a police report but was not sure where else to turn. >> i did cry. i lost sleep. just anxious. i wake up at night. >> reporter: hillsborough consumer protection chief eric ellison says victims have to act fast to repair the damage. >> they need to file a police report and a complaint with the federal trade commission so they can get an identity theft affidavit. >> reporter: it proves to creditors, it's not something trying to escape a bad debt. then contact the credit bureaus. >> there's three of them. put a fraud alert out on their credit reports. >> reporter: a fraud alert notifies you any time that someone uses your information to apply for a new loan or credit card. >> my main concern is how am i going to get my credit fixed. >> reporter: esther taylor learned the hard