Discovering that someone has stolen your identity is frightening. But acting quickly can limit the damage and help you recover faster. Over 1.4 million identity theft reports were filed with the FTC in 2024, and the average victim spends 200 hours resolving the aftermath.
Signs Your Identity Has Been Stolen
Before you can respond, you need to recognize the signs. Watch for bills or statements for accounts you did not open, unexpected credit card charges, calls from debt collectors about debts that are not yours, being denied credit for no apparent reason, missing mail or email, and unfamiliar accounts on your credit report.
Immediate Steps: The First 24 Hours
Step 1: Place a Fraud Alert on Your Credit
Contact one of the three major credit bureaus. They are required to notify the other two.
- Equifax: 1-800-525-6285
- Experian: 1-888-397-3742
- TransUnion: 1-800-680-7289
Step 2: Freeze Your Credit
A credit freeze prevents anyone from opening new accounts in your name. It is free and does not affect your credit score. You must freeze with all three bureaus separately.
Step 3: File an Identity Theft Report
Go to IdentityTheft.gov to file an official FTC report. This report is critical for disputing fraudulent accounts and dealing with creditors.
Step 4: File a Police Report
While local police may not investigate, having a police report on file strengthens your case with creditors and insurance companies.
Step 5: Contact Your Bank and Credit Card Companies
Alert your financial institutions about the theft. They can freeze accounts, issue new cards, and reverse fraudulent charges.
Recovery Steps: The First Week
Review Your Credit Reports
Request free credit reports from AnnualCreditReport.com and review every account and inquiry. Dispute anything you do not recognize.
Close Fraudulent Accounts
Contact each company where a fraudulent account was opened. Send them your FTC Identity Theft Report and request the account be closed and the debt removed.
Change Your Passwords
Update passwords on all online accounts, starting with email, banking, and social media. Use strong, unique passwords for each account. Our Password Generator can help create secure passwords.
Check Your Benefits
Verify that no one has filed taxes in your name, claimed unemployment benefits, or used your health insurance. Contact the IRS Identity Protection Specialized Unit at 1-800-908-4490 if you suspect tax fraud.
Long-Term Protection
Monitor your credit reports regularly. Consider using our Breach Monitoring Dashboard to get alerts when your information appears in new data breaches. Remove your personal information from data broker sites using our Data Broker Removal tool. Enable two-factor authentication on all important accounts.