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Identity Theft: How to Report it to Authorities?
By apwp MONEY RESEARCH COLLECTIVE
Money’s guide on how to report identity theft to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and other authorities.
If you’ve been the victim of identity theft, it’s crucial that you report the crime quickly to reduce its impact on your financial life.
That involves notifying multiple agencies, and following specific — often confusing — processes.
Here’s a breakdown of exactly what to do if your identity has been compromised, and how to make sure it never happens again.
Table of Contents
- What is identity theft?
- How to file a report for identity theft
- Tips for making an identity claim
- How to report identity theft FAQs
- Summary of Money’s how to report identity theft
What is identity theft?
Identity theft affects about 1 in 20 Americans each year, according to Experian. This type of fraud, which involves the theft of someone’s personal or financial information, can take different forms.
Scammers might use your Social Security number to claim your tax refund, or to take out a loan in your name. Others gain access to your credit or debit card to make unauthorized purchases, draining your bank account.
They do this through a variety of tactics, including:
- Using public Wi-Fi connections to intercept data transmitted between your device and the unsecured network you’re connected to.
- Emailing you malicious links or attachments that infect your computer or phone (giving them access to the device).
- Calling your phone and impersonating a government agency or financial institution to trick you into sharing information.
- Using a data breach to gain unauthorized access to your employer’s databases.
- Stealing mail, swiping wallets and other non-digital methods.
What to do if your identity is stolen
If you suspect someone has stolen your identity, immediately file an online report with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at IdentityTheft.gov. You can also report the incident by phone at 1-877-ID-THEFT (438-4338), but filing online is probably the smarter move, since you can print it out and share it with your lenders and local authorities.
Through IdentityTheft.gov, you can also create an account, and use it to get an “identity recovery plan” tailored to your specific situation. The site also has sample letters you can send to credit reporting agencies to remove inaccurate information that was added to your credit report by an identity thief. (More on that below).
How to file a report for identity theft
The FTC notifies relevant law enforcement agencies automatically when you file an online report through IdentityTheft.org. Still, it’s worth filing a report yourself to your local police department.
If you’re a victim of a Social Security or tax scam, you should also contact the Social Security Administration (SSA) or Internal Revenue Service (IRS), respectively.
How to file a police report for identity theft
Here are the steps you should take to file a police report for identity theft:
- File an identity theft report with the FTC. Print a copy of your report as authorities will ask for it.
- Visit your local police department and be prepared to present a government-issued photo ID and proof of your address (such as a utility bill).
- It’s also helpful to show documentation that proves the theft — like bank statements or notices from government agencies.
- Once you file the report, ask for a copy. Other agencies or companies might ask for it as evidence.
How to report identity theft to Social Security
To report a Social Security fraud, contact the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) of the Social Security Administration. Submit a fraud report online or call the OIG’s fraud hotline at 1-800-269-0271.
You’ll need to provide your personal information and a description of how and when the fraud was committed. You can file the report if you don’t know these details; however, sharing as much information as possible can help speed up the case.
Additionally, if your Social Security card was stolen, you can request a copy online from the Social Security Administration website.
How to report identity theft to credit bureaus
Identity theft can negatively impact your credit score, so it’s important to report the crime to one of the three major credit bureaus — TransUnion, Equifax and Experian. These agencies are required to place a fraud alert on your credit report if you say your personal info has been stolen, which lets lenders and creditors know that they should take extra steps to confirm your identity before opening up new accounts under your name. You only need to contact one of the three agencies (it will pass on the request to the other two). Be sure to get a free copy of your credit report while you’re at it.
Fraud alerts typically last one year. However, you can request an extended, seven-year fraud alert after you file an identity theft report with the FTC or your local police.
To request a fraud alert, contact one of the bureaus ASAP. Here are the phone numbers, mailing addresses, and online fraud alert pages for all three agencies:
TransUnion
Fraud Victim Assistance Department
P.O. Box 2000 Chester, PA 19016-2000
Phone: 800-680-7289
Online: Transunion.com
Equifax Credit Information Services
Fraud Victim Assistance Department
Consumer Fraud Division P.O. Box 740256
Atlanta, GA 30374
Phone: 800-525-6285
Online: Equifax.com
Experian
National Consumer Assistance
P.O. Box 9554
Allen, TX 75013
Phone: 888-397-3742
Online: Experian.com
How to report identity theft to the IRS
If you were the victim of identity theft, contact the IRS Identity Protection Specialized Unit at 800-908-4490 or fill out the IRS Identity Theft Affidavit (Form 14039). This form informs the IRS that someone stole your identity, even if they haven’t used it to file a fraudulent tax return.
You should also consider setting up an Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN). Commonly called the IRS tax PIN, this is a tool that prevents scammers from filing a tax return using your Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number.
Tips when making an identity claim
These are some additional steps to consider if your information has been compromised:
- Contact the Department of Labor fraud hotline if someone used your information to file for unemployment benefits. You can find the number of your state office on the U.S. Department of Labor’s website.
- Contact your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles if your driver’s license is missing.
- If you suspect someone stole your mail, report it to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.
- Ask each of the credit bureaus for a credit freeze. This stops anyone (including yourself) from applying for new credit lines until the freeze is lifted. Do note that, under federal law, security freezes don’t apply to credit report requests made for employment, tenant screening or insurance purposes.
- Order a copy of your credit report through AnnualCreditReport.com. You can now request free credit reports every week until December 31, 2022.
- Learn how to check your credit report and review it for suspicious transactions or new credit accounts. If you find any, file a dispute with the credit bureaus. For more information on how to do this, check out our guide on How to Remove Negative Items from Your Credit Report.
- Inform your bank and credit card companies about the incident. Most have dedicated fraud departments which can help you safeguard your existing accounts and get new account numbers. This also stops lenders from transferring accounts that don’t belong to you to debt collectors.
- Change your usernames and passwords, especially on your financial accounts. Additionally, consider getting a password manager.
- Consider subscribing to an identity theft protection service, which can alert you whenever someone uses your information fraudulently. If you need help picking the right one, make sure to check out our list of the Best Identity Theft Protection Services.
Summary of Money’s guide to reporting identity theft
If you believe you’re an identity theft victim, file a report with the FTC through IdentityTheft.org. You should also notify local police, since banks and other financial institutions may ask for a police report to freeze or close fraudulent accounts. In the event of Social Security or tax fraud, contact the Social Security Administration (SSA) or Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
After reporting the incident, read our guides on how to protect yourself from identity theft and the best identity theft protection services to make sure a similar incident doesn’t happen in the future.
