If someone uses your personal information to open accounts or file taxes in your name, quick action limits the damage. The steps below are the ones consumer protection agencies recommend.
First steps
- Report it at IdentityTheft.gov, the Federal Trade Commission's site, which creates a recovery plan and an identity theft report.
- Contact the fraud department of any company where fraud occurred and ask them to close or freeze the account.
- Place a fraud alert with one credit bureau, which must tell the other two. Initial alerts last one year.
- Consider a credit freeze at all three bureaus. Freezes are free by federal law and block new credit from being opened in your name.
- Get your credit reports at AnnualCreditReport.com and review them for accounts you do not recognize.
Follow-up actions
- Dispute fraudulent items in writing with the credit bureaus and the companies involved.
- File a police report if a creditor or the situation requires it.
- If your tax identity was used, report it to the IRS and ask about an Identity Protection PIN.
- Change passwords and turn on multi-factor authentication for important accounts.
- Keep a log of calls, dates and copies of letters.
Your rights
Federal law limits your liability for unauthorized credit card charges, and bank rules protect you if you report debit card fraud quickly. You also have the right to have fraudulent information blocked from your credit reports once you provide proper documentation.
Frequently asked questions
Does a credit freeze hurt my credit score?
No. A freeze does not affect your score. You can lift it temporarily when you apply for credit.
Do I have to pay for identity theft recovery help?
No. Government resources like IdentityTheft.gov are free, and you should be cautious about companies that charge for services you can do yourself.