Account
Get our app
Account Sign up Sign in

Identity theft

Learn how to report identity theft and fraud.

Documents

Report identity theft or fraud FAQs

  • How do I report identity theft?

    If you know you have been a victim of identity theft, you can report it to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) online or by phone. If you report ID theft to the FTC, you'll receive a theft report and a recovery plan.

    Other agencies you may need to contact include:

    • Medicare Fraud Office or your health insurance provider for medical ID theft
    • Internal Revenue Service for tax fraud
    • The three credit reporting agencies
    • Your credit card companies
    • Your bank or loan companies
    • Your state Consumer Protection Office
    • Retail store card companies
    • Office of the Inspector General for Social Security fraud
    • Department of Justice's Elder Justice for elder abuse

    Do I need to file a police report?

    You may need to file a police report if you know the person who stole your identity, the thief used your name with law enforcement officers, or if a creditor or other company has asked for a police report.

  • How do I place a fraud alert on my credit report?

    If you have been a victim of ID theft or fraud, you can place a fraud alert with the three credit reporting agencies. A fraud alert simply notifies anyone looking at your report that you may have been a victim of ID theft or fraud and that they should perform extra vetting to verify your credit.

    There are two types of fraud alerts -- initial fraud alerts and extended fraud alerts. Initial lasts for 90 days and extended can last up to seven years.

    To place a fraud alert, you need to contact one of the three credit reporting agencies -- Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. You can contact them online or by telephone. They will help you place a fraud alert through their agency. The reporting agency you contact will tell the other two agencies that they need to place an alert as well. After you file your fraud alert, you have the right to a free copy of your credit report.

  • How do I report suspected fraud?

    How you report suspected fraud often depends on the type of fraud or scam you need to report. If you are not sure who to report to, the United States Department of Justice can connect you to the right agency.

    If you are a victim of fraud or a scam, even if you are embarrassed, it is best to report it so you can help bring awareness to the scam.

    Common types of fraud and scams:

    • Charity scams (including by mail and online)
    • Dating (usually online)
    • Debt relief
    • Government grants
    • International financial
    • IRS (often by telephone)
    • Employment (don't share Social Security or credit card numbers with "employers")
    • Debt collection agencies
    • Tech support or computer security

Ask a lawyer

Our network attorneys are here for you.
Characters remaining: 600
Rocket Lawyer Network Attorneys

Legal guides

  1. How To Protect Yourself Against Black Friday and Cyber Monday Scams
    3 min read
  2. How To Protect Yourself From Harassment on Dating Apps
    3 min read
  3. How to File a Police Report for ID Theft
    3 min read
  4. 5 Ways to Protect Your Personal Data
    4 min read
  5. Data Breaches & Identity Theft Incidents: How to Protect Your Credit
    4 min read
  6. How to avoid identity theft when shopping online
    3 min read
  7. Identity Theft Alert: Don't Fall Prey to These COVID-19 Scams
    4 min read
  8. Identity Theft and Online Shopping During the Holidays
    4 min read
  9. Top 6 Tips to Prevent and Report Mail Theft During the Holidays
    5 min read
  10. Use a Credit Freeze to Stop Identity Thieves in Their Tracks
    3 min read
  11. What You Need to Know About Identity Theft During Tax Season
    4 min read
  12. Why Should You Care if a Hacker Gets Your SSN?
    4 min read
  13. Legal Tips for Fixing Your Credit
    4 min read

Looking for something else?