You open a card statement and see a charge you never made. Or a debt collector calls about an account you never opened. That is often how identity theft shows up. The federal government has a single place to start: IdentityTheft.gov.
What identity theft looks like
Identity theft happens when someone uses your personal information without permission to commit fraud. That can mean your name, your Social Security or Medicare number, or your credit card number. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau says thieves may rent apartments, get credit cards, collect government benefits, or open other accounts in your name.
Many people learn about it late. You may spot unfamiliar accounts on a credit report. You may see charges on a statement. Or a debt collector may reach you first.
Checking your credit reports and statements is how the CFPB says people often find the problem. The sources reviewed here do not say how often to check. Catching a odd charge sooner is simply better than catching it later.
The first steps to take
The CFPB lays out the immediate moves in plain terms. Start with the accounts that were touched. Close the ones that were compromised. Then contact the fraud or security department at each financial institution involved.
Next, report the theft in two places. File with the Federal Trade Commission at IdentityTheft.gov, and report it to your local police. Four steps, in order:
- Close affected accounts.
- Call each institution's fraud department.
- Report at IdentityTheft.gov.
- Report to local police.
Use official websites and phone numbers for every call. Do not use a number from an unsolicited text or email. If you did not look the number up yourself, treat it with suspicion.
What IdentityTheft.gov gives you
The CFPB describes IdentityTheft.gov as the federal government's one-stop resource for reporting identity theft and recovering from it. When you file, you get an Identity Theft Report and a personal recovery plan. The plan walks you through what to do next.
The sources reviewed here do not say how long the process takes. They also do not detail what the report contains or how creditors and police treat it. They do not explain how to dispute a specific fraudulent account with each creditor, either. Plan to ask each company what it needs from you.
IdentityTheft.gov gives you an Identity Theft Report and a personal recovery plan.
Credit reports, alerts and freezes
Review your credit reports and your statements. Look for accounts you did not open. Fraudulent debts may need to be blocked or removed, and the nationwide credit reporting companies can help with that, according to the CFPB.
You can also place a fraud alert or a security freeze on your credit reports. Contacting any one of the three nationwide credit reporting companies is the starting point the CFPB describes. The sources here do not compare alerts and freezes, or cover their cost or duration. Ask the company what each option does before you choose.
If problems with your credit reporting continue, you can submit a complaint to the CFPB. The bureau forwards it to the company. Companies usually respond to CFPB-forwarded complaints within 15 days.
Scam red flags during recovery
Scammers know victims are looking for help. Some pose as the FTC, the CFPB, other agencies, law enforcement or banks. The CFPB's guidance names the tells.
- A demand to move money to protect it.
- A request to withdraw cash.
- A request to buy gold.
- Threats of any kind.
The FTC never threatens you, never asks you to move money to protect it, and never asks you to withdraw cash or buy gold. Treat any caller who does as a scammer. Hang up. Then contact the agency or your bank directly using a number from its official website.
Unsolicited emails, texts or calls that claim to come from your bank or card issuer deserve the same caution.
A short checklist for the work ahead
Keep a running note as you go. Write down which accounts were affected and whether you have called each fraud department. Note whether you have filed both a police report and an IdentityTheft.gov report. Record who you asked about fraud alerts or freezes. Then check your credit report for fraudulent debts that need to be blocked or removed.
The sources do not cover tax-related identity theft or fraudulent government benefit claims. If either applies to you, check the official guidance at consumer.ftc.gov and the CFPB's page on what to do if you are a victim. This article is general education. It cannot promise any credit outcome.
