Recovering from identity theft
Close the affected accounts, report it at IdentityTheft.gov to get a recovery plan, place a fraud alert or freeze, and check your credit reports.
You'll need
- A list of accounts or charges you don't recognize
- Your phone and a notebook for a call log
Do it like this
- Call the fraud department at each affected bank or company and close compromised accounts (CFPB).
- Report it at IdentityTheft.gov. You'll get an identity theft report and a recovery plan (CFPB).
- Place a fraud alert with one bureau, which must notify the other two. An initial alert lasts one year (CFPB).
- Consider a credit freeze at all three bureaus (FTC).
- Get your credit reports and dispute anything that isn't yours (CFPB).
Watch out. Scammers pretend to be the FTC or your bank. The FTC never threatens you or tells you to move money "to protect it." Use official numbers you look up yourself (CFPB).
If it doesn't work
- After filing an identity theft report, you can place an extended fraud alert that lasts seven years (CFPB).
- Debt collection calls for accounts you didn't open are a warning sign (USA.gov). Follow the steps in your IdentityTheft.gov recovery plan to respond.
- Your Social Security number was stolen? Report it to the FTC (SSA).
Good to know
Warning signs
Bills you don't recognize, missing bills, or unexpected withdrawals can be signs (FTC).
Protect your SSN
The IRS, your bank and your employer won't call, email or text to ask for your SSN (FTC).
Free reports
An initial fraud alert lets you order one free report from each bureau (CFPB).
Sources
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau What do I do if I am a victim of identity theft?
- Federal Trade Commission What to know about identity theft
- USA.gov Identity theft
- Federal Trade Commission IdentityTheft.gov
Lesson L6.2 · Last checked October 2, 2026 against the sources listed. See a mistake?
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