Legal Disclaimer: This article provides general information for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. For advice specific to your situation, consult a licensed attorney in your area.
Identity theft can devastate your finances and credit for years. Taking quick, systematic action limits the damage and helps you recover faster. This guide walks you through the essential steps to reclaim your identity, starting with the official FTC Identity Theft Recovery website.
FTC Identity Theft Report: Your first step should be filing at IdentityTheft.gov. This creates an official Identity Theft Report that unlocks important rights with creditors and credit bureaus.
Immediate First Steps
1. File FTC Report
- Go to IdentityTheft.gov
- Complete the online report
- Get your Identity Theft Report
- Follow personalized recovery plan
- This report is crucial for disputes
2. Contact Credit Bureaus
- Place fraud alert (call one, others notified)
- Request credit freeze at all three
- Get free credit reports
- Review for fraudulent accounts
3. Contact Affected Companies
- Call fraud departments
- Close fraudulent accounts
- Dispute unauthorized charges
- Request written confirmation
Act Fast: The sooner you act, the less damage occurs. Some protections have time limits. Start the recovery process immediately upon discovering theft.
Credit Bureau Actions
Fraud Alert vs. Credit Freeze
- Fraud Alert: Free, lasts 1 year (7 for ID theft victims), requires creditors to verify identity
- Credit Freeze: Blocks new accounts entirely, must unfreeze to apply for credit
- Consider both - freeze is stronger protection
Credit Freeze Process
- Contact each bureau separately
- Equifax: equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services
- Experian: experian.com/freeze
- TransUnion: transunion.com/credit-freeze
- Keep PINs/passwords safe
Extended Fraud Alert
- Lasts 7 years
- Requires FTC Identity Theft Report
- Removes you from prescreened offers
- Free annual credit reports for 7 years
Disputing Fraudulent Accounts
With Creditors
- Call fraud department
- Explain you're an identity theft victim
- Request account closure
- Send written dispute with FTC Report
- Request removal from credit report
Required Documentation
- FTC Identity Theft Report
- Photo ID
- Proof of address
- Police report (if filed)
- Disputed account information
Creditor Obligations
- Must investigate your dispute
- Stop collection during investigation
- Provide copies of application/records
- Must respond within 30 days
Free Credit Reports: After identity theft, you can get free weekly credit reports from all three bureaus at AnnualCreditReport.com. Check regularly for new fraud.
Common Types of Identity Theft
Financial Identity Theft
- Credit cards opened in your name
- Bank accounts compromised
- Loans taken out fraudulently
- Tax refund stolen
Medical Identity Theft
- Healthcare received in your name
- Affects your medical records
- Can impact future care
- Request medical records review
Employment Identity Theft
- Someone works using your SSN
- IRS notices about income you didn't earn
- File IRS Identity Theft Affidavit
Tax Identity Theft
- Someone files taxes using your info
- Your return rejected as duplicate
- File IRS Form 14039
- Get Identity Protection PIN
Police Reports
When to File
- You know the identity thief
- Creditor requires it
- Significant financial loss
- Want law enforcement investigation
What to Bring
- FTC Identity Theft Report
- Photo ID
- Proof of address
- Evidence of theft
- List of fraudulent accounts
If Police Won't Take Report
- Ask to file informational report
- Request report number at minimum
- FTC Report works for most purposes
- Document your attempt
Don't Pay Fraudulent Debts: You are not responsible for debts created by identity thieves. Don't let collectors pressure you into paying - dispute with documentation instead.
Ongoing Protection
Monitor Your Credit
- Check reports regularly
- Set up credit monitoring alerts
- Review bank statements monthly
- Watch for unfamiliar accounts
Protect Your Information
- Strong, unique passwords
- Two-factor authentication
- Shred sensitive documents
- Secure mail pickup
- Be cautious with personal info
IRS Identity Protection PIN
- Available to all taxpayers
- Prevents fraudulent tax returns
- New PIN each year
- Apply at irs.gov
Special Situations
Child Identity Theft
- Check for credit report (shouldn't exist)
- Freeze child's credit
- Same dispute process as adults
- Often discovered years later
Deceased Person's Identity
- Report death to credit bureaus
- Send death certificate
- Request account closures
- Monitor for fraudulent activity
Data Breach Exposure
- Take advantage of free monitoring
- Freeze credit proactively
- Change affected passwords
- Watch for phishing attempts
Recovery Timeline
What to Expect
- Basic recovery: 1-3 months
- Complex cases: 6-12 months
- Credit score recovery: varies
- Some issues resurface - stay vigilant
Keep Records
- All correspondence
- Phone call logs with names
- Confirmation numbers
- Resolution letters
Dispute Fraudulent Accounts
Generate a demand letter for creditors regarding fraudulent accounts.
Create Your Letter