Immediate Steps After Identity Theft

Act Fast: First 24 Hours

Time is critical when dealing with identity theft. The faster you act, the less damage occurs and the easier recovery becomes.

Step 1: Place a Fraud Alert (Immediate)

What It Does

Requires creditors to verify your identity before opening new accounts.

How to Do It

Contact ONE bureau (they notify the others):

• Equifax: 1-800-525-6285
• Experian: 1-888-397-3742
• TransUnion: 1-800-680-7289

What Happens

• Initial alert lasts 1 year (free)
• Extended alert lasts 7 years (with police report)
• Free credit reports from all three bureaus

Step 2: Get Your Credit Reports (First Hour)

Where to Get Them

• AnnualCreditReport.com (official free site)
• Each bureau's website after fraud alert

What to Look For

• Accounts you didn't open
• Inquiries you didn't authorize
• Incorrect personal information
• Unfamiliar addresses
• Unknown collection accounts

Step 3: File an FTC Identity Theft Report (First Day)

Where to File

IdentityTheft.gov - Official FTC site

What You Get

• Official Identity Theft Report
• Personalized recovery plan
• Sample letters to creditors
• Legal rights documentation

Why It's Important

• Creates official record
• Required for extended fraud alert
• Helps with police report
• Proves identity theft to creditors

Step 4: File a Police Report (First Day)

Where to File

• Local police department
• City/town where theft occurred (if known)
• Your current residence

What to Bring

• Government-issued ID
• Proof of address
• FTC Identity Theft Report
• Credit reports with fraudulent accounts marked
• Any bills or letters about fraudulent accounts

Get Copies

Request multiple copies of the police report. You'll need them for creditors, credit bureaus, and debt collectors.

Step 5: Contact Affected Financial Institutions (First Day)

Banks and Credit Cards

• Close compromised accounts
• Open new accounts with new numbers
• Set up new passwords and PINs
• Enable fraud alerts
• Request fraud claims forms

What to Say

"I'm a victim of identity theft. I need to close account [number] and dispute fraudulent charges."

Follow Up in Writing

Send certified letter with:

• Account numbers
• Date you discovered fraud
• Description of fraudulent activity
• Copy of police report
• Copy of FTC report

Step 6: Change All Passwords (First Day)

Priority Accounts

• Email accounts
• Banking and credit card sites
• Shopping sites with saved payment info
• Social media
• Cloud storage

Password Best Practices

• Use unique passwords for each account
• Minimum 12 characters
• Include letters, numbers, symbols
• Consider password manager
• Enable 2-factor authentication everywhere

Step 7: Contact the IRS (If Tax-Related)

When to Contact

• You receive IRS notice about unreported income
• Tax return rejected (already filed)
• IRS shows more than one return filed

How to Contact

• IRS Identity Protection Specialized Unit: 1-800-908-4490
• Complete Form 14039 (Identity Theft Affidavit)
• Request IP PIN for future filing

Step 8: Check for Medical Identity Theft (First Week)

Contact Health Insurer

• Request explanation of benefits (EOB) review
• Look for services you didn't receive
• Flag account for fraud monitoring

Contact Healthcare Providers

• Request copy of medical records
• Review for incorrect information
• Add fraud alert to file

Step 9: Document Everything

Create Identity Theft Log

Track all actions in one place:

• Date and time of each action
• Who you spoke with (names, titles)
• Phone numbers and reference numbers
• What was discussed
• What they promised to do
• Next steps or deadlines

Save All Documents

• Credit reports
• Police reports
• FTC report
• Letters sent and received
• Email confirmations
• Account statements

Step 10: Consider a Credit Freeze (First Week)

What It Does

Prevents anyone (including you) from opening new credit in your name.

How to Freeze

Contact all three bureaus separately:

• Equifax: Equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services
• Experian: Experian.com/freeze
• TransUnion: TransUnion.com/credit-freeze

Cost

Free by federal law

What NOT to Do

• Don't ignore it hoping it goes away
• Don't pay debts you know aren't yours
• Don't use identity theft "repair" services that charge upfront
• Don't close accounts in good standing (hurts credit)
• Don't assume one report to one bureau is enough

Timeline Summary

• Immediately: Fraud alert
• Within hours: Get credit reports
• Same day: FTC report, police report
• First day: Contact banks, change passwords
• First week: Credit freeze, medical check
• Ongoing: Monitor, dispute, document