Identity theft happens when someone uses your personal or financial information without your permission. It can damage your credit status and cost you time and money.
Warning signs of identity theft
You may not know that you experienced ID theft immediately. Beware of:
- Bills for items you did not buy
- Debt collection calls for accounts you did not open
- Information on your credit report for accounts you did not open
- Denials of loan applications
- Mail stops coming to, or is missing from, your mailbox
How to report identity theft
To report identity theft, contact:
Use IdentityTheft.gov’s list of steps to help you recover.
How identity theft happens
There are several ways that scammers can steal your identity, including in person, online, through social media, and by phone. Scammers may:
- Steal your wallet or purse to get ID, credit, or bank cards
- Go through your trash to retrieve bank statements or tax documents
- Install skimmers at ATM machines, cash registers, and fuel pumps to digitally steal information from your bank card
- Get personal information from your phone when you use public Wi-Fi
- Use “phishing” to get information from you through fraudulent email, texts, or phone calls
- Look through your social media accounts to find identifying information in posts or photos. Or they may ask you for personal information in online quizzes and surveys.
How to protect yourself from identity theft
- Do not answer phone calls, texts, social media messages, or email from numbers or people you do not know.
- Do not share personal information like your bank account number, Social Security number, or date of birth.
- Collect your mail every day and place a hold on your mail when you will be on vacation or away from your home.
- Review credit card and bank account statements. Watch for and report unauthorized or suspicious transactions.
- Understand how ATM skimming works and how to protect yourself
- Learn when it is safe to use a public Wi-Fi network
- Store personal information, including your Social Security card, in a safe place. Do not carry it in your wallet.
Learn other ways to protect yourself and your credit from ID theft.
And find out how to protect your child’s information from identity theft.
LAST UPDATED: December 6, 2023
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FAQs
Tools/Resources for Victims
- Place a fraud alert on your credit report.
- Close out accounts that have been tampered with or opened fraudulently.
- Report the identity theft to the Federal Trade Commission.
- File a report with your local police department.
IdentityTheft.gov. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. A lock ( A locked padlock ) or https:// means you've safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.
How do I complete an FTC identity theft report? ›
☐ Go to IdentityTheft.gov or call 1-877-438-4338. Include as many details as possible. Based on the information you enter, IdentityTheft.gov will create your Identity Theft Report and recovery plan.
Is there a solution to identity theft? ›
Shield your computer and smartphone.
Use strong passwords. Use firewall, virus and spyware protection software that you update regularly. Steer clear of spyware. Download free software only from sites you know and trust.
How do I check to see if someone is using my Social Security number? ›
Contact the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) at 1-800-908-4490 or visit them online, if you believe someone is using your SSN to work, get your tax refund, or other abuses involving taxes. Order free credit reports annually from the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion).
What is a valid response when identity theft occurs? ›
File a police report about the identity theft, and get a copy of the police report or the report number. Bring your FTC Identity Theft Affidavit when you file a police report. Attach your FTC Identity Theft Affidavit to your police report to make an Identity Theft Report.
What is the first step in dealing with identity theft? ›
Contact Law Enforcement: The first step is to report the identity theft to your local law enforcement agency. File a police report, as it creates an official record of the crime, which may be necessary for later steps in the recovery process.
What is step one if someone steals your identity? ›
Contact your police department, report the crime and obtain a police report. Decide whether you want to place a security freeze on your credit report.
What to do if your SSN is stolen? ›
If someone uses your SSN to obtain credit, loans, telephone accounts, or other goods and services, contact the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The FTC collects complaints about identity theft from those whose identities have been stolen.
What is the best defense against identity theft? ›
Let's go over 11 ways you can better protect yourself from identity theft.
- Password-Protect Your Devices. ...
- Use a Password Manager. ...
- Don't Carry Your Social Security Card. ...
- Protect Your Personal Documents. ...
- Watch Out for Phishing Attempts. ...
- Never Give Out Personal Information Over the Phone. ...
- Regularly Check Your Credit Reports.
The good news is that the most basic types of identity theft can be resolved quickly. For example, if you notice a strange transaction on your credit card statement, it might take only a phone call to your bank to reverse the charges. But this is a best-case scenario.
How do I clear my stolen identity? ›
Close the accounts that you know or believe have been tampered with or opened fraudulently. Use the ID Theft Affidavit when disputing unauthorized accounts. File a police report. Submit a copy of the police report to your creditors and others that may require proof of the possible crime.
Who should you respond to the theft of your identity? ›
To report identity theft, contact: The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) online at IdentityTheft.gov or call 1-877-438-4338.
What is the very first thing you should do if your identity is stolen? ›
Contact your police department, report the crime and obtain a police report. Decide whether you want to place a security freeze on your credit report.
Which of the following is the first step of recovery from identity theft? ›
The first step of your recovery plan is to call the credit bureaus. Ask the credit bureau for an initial fraud alert. It is free and lasts for 90 days. The fraud alert makes it harder for thieves to open accounts in your name.
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