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If you suspect identity theft in the U.S., first secure the affected accounts, then report the theft at IdentityTheft.gov, review your credit reports, and decide whether to add a fraud alert, freeze your credit, or both. If a fraudulent account appears on a report, dispute it separately; an alert or freeze does not remove it.
1. Secure accounts that were misused
Contact the fraud department of each affected bank, card issuer, service provider, or other company. Explain which account or activity is fraudulent and ask the company to close or freeze the account. Change the account’s password, login credentials, and PIN, and follow the company’s instructions for securing any linked accounts.
Keep a dated record of calls, including the company, representative, and next steps, and save copies of letters and emails. A police report is not a universal prerequisite in the FTC’s basic recovery process, though a particular company may request one for a specific remedy.
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2. Report identity theft to the FTC
Submit a report through IdentityTheft.gov or call the FTC at 1-877-438-4338. The site uses your answers to create an FTC Identity Theft Report and a personalized recovery plan, including steps and sample letters relevant to your situation.
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If you do not create an account on the site, save or print the report and recovery plan before leaving the page so you can refer to them and provide copies when needed.
3. Check your credit reports
Review your reports from Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion for accounts or activity you do not recognize. The FTC says consumers can check their reports weekly for free at AnnualCreditReport.com. Record the bureau, creditor, account or item, and any dates or amounts associated with each suspicious entry.
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4. Choose a fraud alert, credit freeze, or both
Both options are free, but they work differently. A fraud alert tells businesses to take extra steps to verify your identity before opening new credit. A security freeze restricts access to your credit report, which can make it harder for someone to open new credit in your name but may require extra steps when you apply for credit or another service that checks your report.
| Option | What it does and how long it lasts | How to request it |
|---|---|---|
| Initial fraud alert | Free; lasts one year and can be renewed. A business must verify your identity before issuing new credit. | Contact one nationwide credit bureau; it must notify the other two. FTC instructions |
| Extended fraud alert | Free; lasts seven years and is available after identity theft. Potential creditors must contact you before issuing credit. | Send a request with a copy of your FTC Identity Theft Report to one bureau; that bureau must notify the other two. FTC instructions |
| Credit freeze (security freeze) | Free; remains in place until you lift or remove it. It limits access to your credit report and may add steps when you apply for credit or another service that checks your report. | Contact Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion separately. FTC instructions |
Which option fits your situation?
- Choose an initial alert if you want a year of added identity verification and a single-bureau request.
- Consider an extended alert if you have been a victim of identity theft and want a seven-year alert; you will need to provide the FTC report.
- Choose a freeze if you want to restrict access to your credit report and are willing to manage freeze requests with all three bureaus and lift the freeze when needed.
- Use both if you want the additional protections together. The measures address access and identity verification; neither substitutes for disputing fraudulent entries already on a report.
For current bureau routes and contact details, use the FTC’s official bureau directory. It lists Equifax at Equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services and 800-685-1111; Experian at Experian.com/help and 888-397-3742; and TransUnion at TransUnion.com/credit-help and 888-909-8872. Contact routes can change, so confirm details in the directory before submitting a request.
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5. Dispute and block fraudulent credit-report entries
Removing fraudulent information is a separate step from placing an alert or freeze. The FTC’s recovery guidance says, “If someone steals your identity, you have the right to remove fraudulent information from your credit report.” Use the FTC’s sample letter to credit bureaus to request a block of identity-theft information.
- Identify each fraudulent account or item clearly, including the creditor and account details shown on the report.
- Send the relevant bureau a copy of the credit report with the fraudulent entries marked, a copy of your FTC Identity Theft Report, and proof of identity.
- Contact the business that opened or reported the account as well, and ask it to investigate and stop reporting the fraudulent account.
- Keep copies of everything you send and document follow-up communications.
The FTC sample letter explains that section 605B of the Fair Credit Reporting Act requires a bureau to block identity-theft information within four business days after receiving the required information and promptly notify the furnisher. The FTC also says a valid Identity Theft Report can help stop creditors from reporting fraudulent accounts; you may request documents about the theft from the company that holds them. See the FTC’s sample letter and instructions for what to include.
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- Re Inking Unlimitedly: the information blocker stamp can cover information of the length about 100 meters. And each security stamper roller has an oil hole, so you don't have to worry about you having to throw away the roller stamps when the ink runs out. They can be refilled with oil for repeated use, saving time and energy
- Cover Fast: our identity protection rollers come in 2 different sizes, and you can choose different sizes according to different areas of information to cover large amounts of private information in a fast and clean way, avoiding identity theft and rejecting privacy disclosure harassment
- Easy to Use: just remove the lid on the ID stamp blocker roller and open it, and then gently slide it on the place where the information needs to be covered. It is suitable for most ordinary paper with black words, and can protect your personal privacy in time
- Save Time and Energy: compared with the shredder, the personal confidential stamp has a small size, easy to carry, can be applied anytime and anywhere. Compared to the marker, it covers a larger area and can be quickly covered with a single swipe. There is no need to worry about whether you can not protect your privacy in time
Special cases and next steps
Credit-bureau actions may not address every form of identity theft. For tax, medical, child, or government-benefit identity theft, follow the specialized instructions for that issue from the FTC or the relevant government agency, in addition to any account-security steps that apply. IdentityTheft.gov provides recovery guidance and links to relevant next steps.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Personal Information Protection: there are 4 pieces of address blocker roller stamps in 2 different sizes, and 5 pieces of 1.5 ml inks, a total of 9 pieces. Mainly applied to hide information such as social security numbers, bank statements, billing addresses, shipping addresses, tax documents and so on, protecting your personal information
- Re Inking Unlimitedly: the information blocker stamp can cover information of the length about 100 meters. And each security stamper roller has an oil hole, so you don't have to worry about you having to throw away the roller stamps when the ink runs out. They can be refilled with oil for repeated use, saving time and energy
- Cover Fast: our identity protection rollers come in 2 different sizes, and you can choose different sizes according to different areas of information to cover large amounts of private information in a fast and clean way, avoiding identity theft and rejecting privacy disclosure harassment
- Easy to Use: just remove the lid on the ID stamp blocker roller and open it, and then gently slide it on the place where the information needs to be covered. It is suitable for most ordinary paper with black words, and can protect your personal privacy in time
- Save Time and Energy: compared with the shredder, the personal confidential stamp has a small size, easy to carry, can be applied anytime and anywhere. Compared to the marker, it covers a larger area and can be quickly covered with a single swipe. There is no need to worry about whether you can not protect your privacy in time
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