If someone opened an account in your name, contact the company’s fraud department first and ask it to close or freeze the account. Then report the identity theft at IdentityTheft.gov, protect your credit files, and dispute the fraudulent account with both the company and the credit bureaus. Keep records of every call, letter, and response.
Take these steps first
- Contact the company that opened the account. Call its fraud department, explain that the account was opened using your identity, and ask it to close or freeze the account. Request written confirmation that the account is fraudulent, that you are not liable, and that the company has removed it from your credit report if it reported it. Record the date, the representative’s name, and what was agreed. A bureau dispute alone does not close the account.
- Secure accounts you actually own. Change passwords, login details, and PINs for affected existing accounts. If a bank account or payment card you own was also misused, contact that financial institution promptly.
- Make an FTC identity-theft report. Use IdentityTheft.gov to describe what happened and receive an FTC Identity Theft Report and a personal recovery plan. Save or print both before leaving the site if you do not create an account; an account can help track progress and prefill letters. A police report may be useful in some cases, but the FTC presents it as an additional option, not a universal requirement. Some businesses may require one to remove a fraudulent debt.
- Protect and check your credit files. Place a fraud alert or a credit freeze, and obtain reports from Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion through AnnualCreditReport.com. The FTC says consumers can check reports weekly for free. Review each report for the fraudulent account and any other unfamiliar activity.
- Dispute the account with the company and bureaus. Ask the company to stop reporting the fraudulent debt. For a credit-file block, send each bureau a copy of your FTC Identity Theft Report, proof of identity, and a letter clearly identifying the fraudulent information. Keep copies of everything you send.
- Track follow-up. Keep a dated log of calls and letters, save written responses and supporting documents, and recheck your reports for the same account or new unfamiliar entries.
Choose a credit-protection step
A fraud alert asks businesses to take reasonable steps to verify your identity before issuing credit. A freeze restricts access to your credit report unless you lift or remove it. An extended fraud alert is available to identity-theft victims who provide an FTC Identity Theft Report. These protections reduce the risk of new fraudulent credit accounts; they do not close an account that has already been opened.
| Protection | Duration | Where to request it | FTC report required? | Effect when applying for new credit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Initial fraud alert | One year; may be renewed | Contact one of the three nationwide credit bureaus. That bureau must notify the other two. | Not stated in the FTC guidance for the initial alert. | A business is asked to take reasonable steps to verify your identity before issuing credit. |
| Extended fraud alert | Seven years | Send a copy of your FTC Identity Theft Report to each bureau. | Yes. | Prospective creditors must contact you before issuing credit; provide a reliable contact method. |
| Credit freeze | Until you lift or remove it | Request it separately from Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. | Not stated in the FTC guidance as a requirement. | You may need to lift or remove the freeze when applying for credit or another service that requires a credit check. |
The FTC describes these protections as free. For current instructions and bureau contact details, use its identity-theft recovery steps.
How to dispute the fraudulent account
Contact the business reporting the account
Tell the provider that the account and debt are not yours. Ask it to stop reporting the debt and to confirm in writing that the account is fraudulent and you are not responsible. You can also request records showing how the account was opened; for example, the FTC suggests asking for a credit-card application and the applicant’s signature. The FTC explains that victims can obtain certain business records, subject to the circumstances and required documentation.
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Ask the bureaus to block the information
Send a separate dispute to each bureau showing the fraudulent item. Include a copy of the FTC Identity Theft Report and proof of identity, and clearly identify the account or entry you want blocked. Follow the live FTC instructions for the evidence to attach. The report documents the theft and supports the request; it does not replace contacting the provider.
Use the right letter for the problem
The FTC offers sample letters for disputing a new account with a company, challenging bureau information, reporting misuse of an existing account, requesting business records, and asking debt collectors to stop pursuing a debt you do not owe. Choose the letter that matches your situation and follow its instructions for attachments: FTC identity-theft sample letters.
Check the account type
Checking or bank account
Order a free report from ChexSystems and contact each financial institution where an account was opened. If stolen checks were used, contact the bank about stopping payment and closing the account.
Utility account
Contact the utility or service provider, report the identity theft, and ask it to close the fraudulent account. The FTC also points consumers to their state Public Utility Commission for additional help.
Phone, pay-TV, or telecom account
Check the National Consumer Telecom and Utilities Exchange (NCTUE) report for accounts reported by participating members. If the provider does not resolve the issue, the FTC points to filing a complaint with the Federal Communications Commission.
Tax, medical, child, Social Security, or benefits identity theft
These situations can require specialized forms and agencies. Use the relevant instructions on IdentityTheft.gov or contact the agency responsible for the affected account or benefit; the general account checklist does not cover every special case.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Keep a paper trail and know what to expect
- Save the FTC report and recovery plan, credit reports, dispute letters, delivery records, company responses, and any account-closure confirmation.
- Write down who you spoke with, when, and what the company said it would do. Follow up in writing if needed.
- If a debt collector contacts you about the account, use the FTC’s sample letter for stopping collection of a debt you do not owe and keep a copy of your communication.
- Do not assume every provider will resolve the claim on the first call. The FTC’s guidance does not establish a universal outcome or timeline for an individual dispute.
Identity-theft victims have rights that can include obtaining free reports, placing fraud alerts or freezes, disputing or blocking fraudulent credit-file information, requesting certain business records, and stopping debt-collection contact in many cases. The exact requirements depend on the situation and the documents submitted. See the FTC’s recovery guidance for the applicable steps.
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