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Identify theft - victim assistance

Identify theft - victim assistance

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ID Theft - What to do right away

  1. Call the fraud department. Explain that someone stole your identity.
  2. Ask them to close, freeze, or secure the affected accounts.
  3. Change logins, passwords, and PINs for your accounts.
  4. Ask whether they need an Identity Theft Report from IdentityTheft.gov.

You may need to contact these companies again after you create your Identity Theft Report.

Contact one of the three nationwide credit bureaus.

A fraud alert is free and lasts 1 year. If you contact one bureau, it must notify the other two. A fraud alert makes it harder for someone to open new credit in your name. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}

  1. Equifax Fraud Alert
    1-888-766-0008
  2. Experian Fraud Center
    1-888-397-3742
  3. TransUnion Fraud Alerts
    1-800-680-7289

Get your free credit reports.

Go to AnnualCreditReport.com or call 1-877-322-8228. The site currently says free weekly online credit reports are available from Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.

Review your reports carefully. Make note of any account, inquiry, or transaction you do not recognize. This will help you when you report the theft and dispute fraudulent information.

  1. Complete the online process at IdentityTheft.gov. Based on the information you enter, the site will create your Identity Theft Report and a recovery plan. Your Identity Theft Report helps prove to businesses that someone stole your identity.
  2. You can also report fraud at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

If you create an account at IdentityTheft.gov, it can help you track your progress and generate letters and forms for recovery steps.

Watch Video - How to report fraud to the FTC

Go to your local police office with:

  • a copy of your FTC Identity Theft Report
  • a government-issued photo ID
  • proof of your address, such as a utility bill or rental agreement
  • any other proof you have of the theft, such as bills, account statements, or IRS notices
  1. Tell the police someone stole your identity and you need to file a report.
  2. Ask for a copy of the police report if one is created.
  3. Keep copies of everything for your records.

A police report is not always required, but it can help in some cases when working with creditors, debt collectors, or law enforcement.

ID Theft - What to do next

Now that you have an Identity Theft Report, call the fraud department of each business where an account was opened.

  • Explain that someone stole your identity.
  • Ask the business to close the account.
  • Ask the business to send you a letter confirming that:
    • the fraudulent account is not yours
    • you are not liable for it
    • it was removed from your credit report, if applicable
  • Keep this letter in case the account appears on your credit report later.
  • This sample letter can help.

Write down who you contacted and when.

Call the fraud department of each business.

  • Explain that someone stole your identity.
  • Tell them which charges are fraudulent and ask them to remove the charges.
  • Ask the business to send you a letter confirming that the fraudulent charges were removed.
  • This sample letter can help.

Write down who you contacted and when.

This sample letter can help.

  • Write to each credit bureau and explain which information resulted from identity theft.
  • Include a copy of your Identity Theft Report and proof of identity.
  • Ask the bureau to block or investigate the fraudulent information.

If you have an Identity Theft Report, the credit bureaus must honor eligible requests to block fraudulent information. If you do not have an Identity Theft Report, you can still dispute incorrect information, but the process may take longer. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}

Extended fraud alerts and credit freezes can help prevent further misuse of your information. They are not the same.

Extended Fraud Alert Credit Freeze
Lets businesses access your report, but tells them to take extra steps to verify your identity. Restricts new access to your credit file until you lift or remove the freeze.
Free. Free nationwide.
Lasts for 7 years if you have an Identity Theft Report. Lasts until you lift or remove it.
Contact one of the three bureaus and provide the required documentation. You must place the freeze separately with each of the three bureaus.

FTC guidance explains the differences here: Credit Freezes and Fraud Alerts.

Recovery

Recovering from identity theft can take time. It helps to keep everything organized.

Set up a file system to store:

  • copies of documents related to the identity theft
  • letters you send or receive
  • notes about phone calls you make or receive

What kinds of records should you keep?

  • copies of papers, receipts, and account statements
  • a list of the companies you called and when you called them
  • the name of the person you spoke with, what you asked them to do, and what they agreed to do
  • copies of letters you sent
  • proof of delivery when you mail important documents

What happens when your initial fraud alert ends?
If you know your identity was stolen, you may be eligible to place an extended fraud alert that lasts seven years. To request it, contact a credit bureau and be prepared to provide your Identity Theft Report.

How do you fix mistakes on your bills or credit report?

  • Send a dispute letter to each business or credit bureau involved.
  • Use the company’s designated dispute address or online dispute process.
  • Include copies, not originals, of supporting documents.

Identity theft resources

Fraud Alerts and How They Work

Fraud alerts are like red flags on your credit file. They tell businesses to take extra steps to verify your identity before opening new credit in your name.

Three main types of alerts:

  • Initial Fraud Alert: 1 year
  • Active Duty Alert: 1 year
  • Extended Fraud Alert: 7 years
  • Fraud alerts do not stop access to your credit file.
  • They are free.
  • You can place an initial fraud alert by contacting one bureau, and that bureau must tell the other two.

Credit Freezes and How They Work

A credit freeze restricts access to your credit file. This can make it harder for an identity thief to open new accounts in your name. Credit freezes are free nationwide and remain in place until you lift or remove them.

  • They give you more control over who can access your credit file.
  • They are effective against many types of new-account fraud.
  • They do not stop misuse of your existing accounts.
  • You usually must place or lift a freeze separately with each bureau.
Fraud alert and credit freeze comparison



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