Free Identity Theft Report and Recovery Plan

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Free Identity Theft Report and Recovery Plan

If someone used your personal information to open an account, make purchases, claim benefits, file a tax return or create debts in your name, you can report the identity theft for free at IdentityTheft.gov.

The Federal Trade Commission’s official website creates an FTC Identity Theft Report and a personalized recovery plan based on what happened. It can also generate letters for credit bureaus, businesses and debt collectors, help you track each recovery step and explain how to remove fraudulent accounts and charges.

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Free Identity Theft Report and Recovery Plan

Quick Answer

Go to IdentityTheft.gov, explain how your information was misused and create your free FTC Identity Theft Report and personal recovery plan.

The service is operated by the Federal Trade Commission. You do not need to pay a credit repair company, identity-theft recovery company or document service to create the report.

After creating the report:

  • Save or print the FTC Identity Theft Report.
  • Follow the personalized recovery steps.
  • Contact affected banks and businesses.
  • Freeze all three credit reports.
  • Review your Equifax, Experian and TransUnion reports.
  • Send the required documents to block fraudulent accounts.
  • Keep copies of every letter, report and response.
  • Update your recovery plan when additional fraud appears.

Start through the official government website:

IdentityTheft.gov: Report Identity Theft and Get a Recovery Plan

Use only the official .gov website. Do not pay a company that claims it must prepare an FTC Identity Theft Report for you.

What Do You Get for Free?

IdentityTheft.gov can provide:

  • An FTC Identity Theft Report
  • A personalized recovery plan
  • Step-by-step instructions
  • Prefilled letters and forms
  • Credit bureau letters
  • Fraudulent-account dispute letters
  • Debt-collector letters
  • A way to track completed recovery steps
  • A record of companies and agencies contacted
  • Updated instructions when your situation changes
Resource What it does
FTC Identity Theft Report Documents your identity-theft report and helps prove the theft to businesses.
Personal recovery plan Lists the steps that match your particular situation.
Prefilled letters Helps communicate with bureaus, creditors, businesses and collectors.
Progress tracker Records which recovery tasks you completed.
Updated plan Adds or changes steps when new identity-theft problems appear.

The service is free. You may still have costs for certified mail, document copies, replacement identification or professional legal assistance when needed.

What Is an FTC Identity Theft Report?

An FTC Identity Theft Report is created after you report identity theft through IdentityTheft.gov.

It records information such as:

  • How your personal information was misused
  • The types of fraudulent accounts or transactions involved
  • Companies connected with the theft
  • Dates and amounts you know
  • Information about the suspected thief, when available
  • Your statement about what happened

The report can help you:

  • Show businesses that you are an identity-theft victim
  • Close fraudulent accounts
  • Challenge unauthorized charges
  • Block fraudulent information from credit reports
  • Respond to debt collectors
  • Request records connected with the theft
  • Support additional reports to law enforcement or government agencies

The report does not automatically contact every bank, creditor, bureau or government agency. You must follow the recovery plan and send the report where it is needed.

What Is the Personal Recovery Plan?

The recovery plan is a customized checklist based on the identity theft you report.

For example, the plan may tell you to:

  • Call a credit-card company
  • Close a fraudulent bank account
  • Remove unauthorized transactions
  • Freeze your credit reports
  • Place an extended fraud alert
  • Send an identity-theft blocking request
  • Contact a debt collector
  • Report unemployment identity theft
  • Contact the IRS about tax identity theft
  • Replace stolen identification
  • Change compromised passwords
  • Monitor credit reports and financial accounts

The plan is personalized. Someone with a fraudulent credit card will receive different steps from someone whose identity was used for taxes, employment or government benefits.

When Should You Use IdentityTheft.gov?

Use IdentityTheft.gov when someone used or attempted to use your personal information without permission.

Examples include:

  • A credit card opened in your name
  • A bank account you did not open
  • A loan you did not request
  • Unauthorized use of an existing account
  • A debt collector contacting you about someone else’s debt
  • A fraudulent utility or telephone account
  • A tax return filed using your Social Security number
  • Unemployment benefits claimed in your name
  • Government benefits obtained using your information
  • Medical services billed under your identity
  • An apartment rented in your name
  • A business or loan created using your information
  • A child’s Social Security number used for credit

Identity theft includes attempted fraud. You do not always need to wait until the thief successfully receives money or credit.

When Is This Not the Right Report?

An FTC Identity Theft Report is not the correct tool for every scam, billing dispute or credit-report problem.

Do not describe something as identity theft when:

  • You authorized the purchase but regret it
  • A merchant did not provide the promised product
  • A refund is delayed
  • A familiar charge has the wrong amount
  • A legitimate account contains a payment-history error
  • You voluntarily sent money to a scammer without misuse of your identity
  • The information is accurate but negative
  • You are trying to remove a legitimate debt

Only report genuine identity theft. An identity-theft report is an official report, and intentionally providing false information can have serious consequences.

For other problems, use:

Identity Theft vs Data Breach

A data breach means personal information was exposed, stolen or accessed. Identity theft means someone used or attempted to use identifying information to commit fraud.

Data breach Identity theft
Your information may have been exposed. Your information was used or an attempt was made to use it.
You may not see fraudulent activity yet. You may see accounts, charges, debts, benefits or applications.
Protective monitoring may be appropriate. Reporting and active recovery steps are normally needed.
Use IdentityTheft.gov’s data-breach guidance. Create an FTC Identity Theft Report and recovery plan.

When information was exposed but you have not found misuse:

  • Review the breach notice
  • Change affected passwords
  • Enable multifactor authentication
  • Freeze your credit
  • Review your credit reports
  • Accept legitimate free monitoring offered after the breach
  • Watch financial and government accounts

Use the official tool:

IdentityTheft.gov: Deal With a Data Breach

Identity Theft Report vs Scam Report

IdentityTheft.gov and ReportFraud.ftc.gov serve related but different purposes.

IdentityTheft.gov ReportFraud.ftc.gov
For misuse of personal identifying information For scams, fraud and bad business practices
Creates an FTC Identity Theft Report Creates an FTC fraud report
Produces a personal recovery plan Provides next steps based on the reported scam
Can help with fraudulent accounts and credit-report blocks Helps law enforcement identify scam patterns

Sometimes both reports are appropriate. For example, a scammer may trick you into sending money and also use your Social Security number to open a new account.

What Should You Do Immediately?

Do not wait to complete the entire report before stopping active financial harm.

Contact affected financial institutions

Lock cards, report unauthorized transactions and close compromised accounts when advised.

Change compromised passwords

Start with email, financial, mobile telephone and password-manager accounts.

Enable multifactor authentication

Use an authenticator application or security key when available.

Freeze all three credit reports

A freeze makes it harder to open new credit using your information.

Review credit reports

Identify every account, inquiry, address and debt you do not recognize.

Create the FTC report

Include as many accurate details as possible.

Preserve evidence

Save statements, emails, notices, screenshots and account records.

Contact banks using their official application, website or the number printed on the card. Do not call a number included in a suspicious message.

What Information Should You Gather?

You do not need to know every detail before starting, but gather what is available.

Your personal information

  • Full legal name
  • Current address
  • Previous addresses when relevant
  • Telephone number
  • Email address
  • Date of birth
  • Other identifying information requested through the secure form

Information about the fraud

  • Company or agency name
  • Type of account or transaction
  • Account number or last four digits
  • Fraudulent amount
  • Date discovered
  • Approximate date the fraud occurred
  • How you learned about it
  • What personal information was used

Information about the suspected thief

  • Name or alias
  • Telephone number
  • Email address
  • Website or social media profile
  • Mailing address
  • Relationship to you
  • Other information you genuinely know

Supporting records

  • Credit reports
  • Bank and card statements
  • Collection notices
  • Government letters
  • Account-opening notices
  • Emails and text messages
  • Receipts
  • Fraud case numbers
  • Police reports, when already filed

Write “unknown” when you genuinely do not know something. Do not guess names, dates or amounts simply to complete a field.

How to Create a Free Identity Theft Report

Go to the official website

Visit IdentityTheft.gov and select “Report Identity Theft.”

Select what happened

Choose the category that most closely matches the misuse of your information.

Enter the theft details

Identify fraudulent accounts, charges, benefits, loans or other activity.

Enter your contact information

Provide the information required to create and identify the report.

Add suspect information

Include only facts you actually know.

Write your personal statement

Explain clearly when you discovered the theft and why the activity was unauthorized.

Review everything

Correct mistakes before submitting the report.

Submit the report

Save the confirmation and report reference number.

Save the report and plan

Download or print both documents immediately.

The FTC also accepts identity-theft reports by telephone at:

1-877-438-4338

For reporting in Spanish, use:

RobodeIdentidad.gov

Should You Create an IdentityTheft.gov Account?

Creating a free account provides additional recovery tools.

Create a free account Continue without an account
Return to the recovery plan later Must save or print the plan before leaving
Update the plan Cannot later update the saved online plan
Track completed steps Must track progress separately
Generate prefilled letters Can use saved documents and public sample letters
Keep a recovery record online Must maintain your own records

Creating an account is generally the more practical option when the identity theft involves several companies or will take time to resolve.

Protect the account with:

  • A unique password
  • Two-step security
  • A secure email account
  • A device you trust

How Should You Save the Report?

Keep both electronic and paper copies when possible.

Save:

  • The complete FTC Identity Theft Report
  • The report number
  • The personal recovery plan
  • Prefilled letters
  • The submission confirmation
  • Any IRS form created through the process
  • Updates made to the report

Use a descriptive filename such as:

FTC-Identity-Theft-Report-[Your-Name]-[Date].pdf

Do not store the report in an unprotected shared folder. It can contain enough personal information to create additional risk.

Why Must the Information Be Accurate?

The report should describe the identity theft with as much specificity as you can truthfully provide.

Before submitting:

  • Confirm account numbers
  • Confirm transaction amounts
  • Check dates
  • Distinguish pending activity from completed fraud
  • Separate legitimate accounts from fraudulent accounts
  • Remove assumptions presented as facts
  • Explain what you do not know

Do not use an identity-theft report to avoid a debt, purchase or account you actually authorized or benefited from.

What Steps Can the Recovery Plan Include?

Your plan depends on the type of identity theft reported.

It may include instructions to:

  • Close fraudulent credit accounts
  • Reverse unauthorized card transactions
  • Replace compromised account numbers
  • Correct fraudulent credit-report information
  • Stop collection of fraudulent debts
  • Obtain business records
  • Contact the IRS
  • Contact a state unemployment agency
  • Replace government identification
  • Review Social Security records
  • Secure mobile telephone service
  • Protect medical records
  • Report fraudulent loans
  • File a local police report when needed

The official site also provides public recovery steps:

IdentityTheft.gov Recovery Steps

Should You Freeze Your Credit?

A credit freeze restricts access to your credit report and makes it harder for an identity thief to open new credit accounts.

A freeze:

  • Is free to place
  • Is free to lift
  • Does not affect your credit score
  • Remains until you remove it
  • Must be placed separately with each nationwide bureau

Contact:

  • Equifax
  • Experian
  • TransUnion

Use:

How to Freeze Your Credit for Free

A freeze helps prevent many new-credit accounts, but it does not stop misuse of existing accounts. Continue monitoring banks, cards and online accounts.

Should You Place a Fraud Alert?

A fraud alert tells businesses to take additional steps to verify your identity before granting new credit.

Initial fraud alert

An initial fraud alert is free and generally lasts one year. Contact one nationwide credit bureau, and that bureau must notify the other two.

Extended fraud alert

An identity-theft victim can request a free extended fraud alert that generally lasts seven years. An identity-theft report is normally required.

Credit freeze Fraud alert
Restricts access to the report Allows access but requires identity verification
Contact all three bureaus Contact one bureau for an alert
Remains until lifted or removed Initial alert generally lasts one year
Useful for preventing new-account fraud Warns potential creditors of possible identity theft

Review All Three Credit Reports

Check Equifax, Experian and TransUnion because fraudulent information may appear on one report but not the others.

Look for:

  • Accounts you did not open
  • Hard inquiries you do not recognize
  • Addresses you never used
  • Telephone numbers that are not yours
  • Employer information that is wrong
  • Collections for unfamiliar debts
  • Balances or payment history connected with fraudulent accounts

Use:

Save the report containing the fraudulent information before asking for it to be removed. It documents the problem and identifies the furnisher.

How Do You Block Fraudulent Credit-Report Information?

A normal credit dispute and an identity-theft blocking request are different procedures.

For a qualifying identity-theft block, send each bureau:

  • A copy of your FTC Identity Theft Report
  • Proof of your identity
  • A letter identifying every fraudulent item to be blocked
  • A copy of the credit report with the fraudulent information marked
  • Any additional documents required to identify the items

The request should identify:

  • The creditor or collector
  • The account number or last four digits
  • The type of account
  • The fraudulent balance
  • The reason it resulted from identity theft

IdentityTheft.gov provides a sample letter:

Identity Theft Letter to a Credit Bureau

Blocking is only for information resulting from genuine identity theft. Use the normal credit-report dispute process for other reporting mistakes.

What Is the Four-Business-Day Blocking Rule?

After receiving a qualifying request containing the necessary identity-theft report, proof of identity and identification of the fraudulent information, a credit reporting company generally must block that information within four business days.

Ordinary credit dispute Identity-theft block
Generally investigated within 30 days Qualifying information generally blocked within four business days
Challenges inaccurate or incomplete information Targets information caused by identity theft
Does not require identity theft Requires a qualifying identity-theft submission
May end as updated, deleted or verified Removes qualifying fraudulent information from the report

The bureau may decline or later rescind a block in limited circumstances, including material misrepresentation or evidence that the consumer received goods, money or services from the transaction.

How Do You Close Fraudulent New Accounts?

Contact the company’s fraud department and explain that someone opened the account using your identity.

Request:

  • Immediate closure of the account
  • Removal of all charges
  • Written confirmation that you are not responsible
  • Correction of information furnished to credit bureaus
  • Confirmation that the debt will not be sold or collected
  • Copies of account-opening records

Send:

  • The FTC Identity Theft Report
  • Proof of identity
  • The relevant credit-report page
  • The official IdentityTheft.gov dispute letter

Official sample:

Identity Theft Dispute Letter for a Fraudulent New Account

What if an Existing Account Was Misused?

Existing-account fraud includes unauthorized activity on an account that genuinely belongs to you.

Examples include:

  • Unauthorized credit-card purchases
  • Debit-card withdrawals
  • Transfers from a bank account
  • Changes to account contact information
  • A takeover of an online shopping account
  • Unauthorized telephone or utility charges

Immediately:

  • Lock or close the compromised account
  • Change passwords and security questions
  • Remove unknown devices
  • Dispute unauthorized transactions
  • Request a replacement account number
  • Review connected accounts

Use:

How Can the Report Help With Debt Collectors?

A debt collector may contact you about an account created through identity theft.

Respond in writing and state that:

  • The debt is not yours
  • The account resulted from identity theft
  • You did not receive goods, services or money from it
  • You are enclosing an FTC Identity Theft Report
  • You want collection and inaccurate reporting stopped

You can also request records connected with the fraudulent account.

Official sample:

Identity Theft Letter to a Debt Collector

Do not ignore a collection notice. Preserve the notice, dispute the debt promptly and keep proof that the collector received your response.

Can You Request Records About the Fraudulent Account?

Identity-theft victims may request business records connected with the fraudulent transaction or account.

Records may include:

  • Account applications
  • Electronic application details
  • Signatures
  • Statements and invoices
  • Delivery addresses
  • Telephone numbers
  • Email addresses
  • Payment records
  • Account-activation records
  • Investigation notes

These records may help identify:

  • How the account was opened
  • Which personal information was used
  • Where merchandise was delivered
  • Which telephone or email controlled the account
  • Whether a mixed file rather than identity theft caused the problem

Use the official sample:

IdentityTheft.gov Sample Letters

Do You Also Need a Police Report?

An FTC Identity Theft Report and a local police report are separate documents.

A police report may be useful when:

  • A business specifically requires one
  • The thief is known to you
  • Physical documents were stolen
  • The identity theft occurred locally
  • A government agency requests it
  • Law enforcement may be able to investigate
  • The theft caused substantial financial harm

Bring:

  • Your FTC Identity Theft Report
  • Government-issued photo identification
  • Proof of address
  • Credit reports or statements showing the fraud
  • Letters from businesses or government agencies
  • Information about the suspected thief

Not every identity-theft recovery step requires a police report. However, some companies may request one before closing an account or removing a debt.

What if the Identity Theft Involves Taxes?

Tax-related identity theft may occur when someone uses your Social Security number or taxpayer information to:

  • File a fraudulent tax return
  • Claim a refund
  • Claim you or a dependent improperly
  • Report employment income under your identity
  • Access a tax account

If the IRS sends a notice, follow the contact instructions printed on that official notice.

The IRS may direct you to file:

Form 14039, Identity Theft Affidavit

Current official form:

IRS Form 14039: Identity Theft Affidavit

Do not file Form 14039 for ordinary non-tax identity theft unless the IRS instructions tell you to do so. Do not submit duplicate forms for the same incident.

You may also consider an IRS Identity Protection PIN:

IRS Identity Protection PIN

What if Someone Claimed Government Benefits?

Government-benefit identity theft can involve:

  • Unemployment insurance
  • Social Security benefits
  • Medicare or Medicaid
  • Disaster assistance
  • Small-business loans
  • Other state or federal programs

Report the problem to:

  • The agency that administered the benefit
  • Your employer when unemployment benefits are involved
  • IdentityTheft.gov
  • The IRS when the fraud may affect tax records

Keep every agency letter and case number. A state or federal agency may require its own identity-theft form in addition to the FTC report.

What if the Thief Took Over an Existing Account?

Account takeover occurs when someone gains control of an account you opened legitimately.

Signs include:

  • Password-reset emails you did not request
  • Contact information changed without permission
  • Unknown devices signed in
  • New authorized users
  • Unauthorized transfers or purchases
  • Multifactor authentication redirected
  • Your mobile telephone suddenly losing service

Take these steps:

  • Contact the company immediately
  • Recover control of the account
  • Change the password from a secure device
  • Sign out unknown devices
  • Replace compromised payment credentials
  • Secure the email account connected with it
  • Review other accounts using the same password

Securing the email account is critical. An identity thief who controls your email may reset passwords for many other services.

What if Your Wallet or Identification Was Stolen?

Report lost or stolen items directly to the issuing organizations.

Depending on what was taken:

  • Cancel and replace payment cards
  • Report a stolen driver’s license
  • Report a stolen passport
  • Freeze credit reports
  • Review financial accounts
  • Change exposed account numbers
  • Create an IdentityTheft.gov report if misuse occurred

A lost wallet creates identity-theft risk, but exposure alone does not prove that identity theft already occurred. Use the data-breach or lost-information recovery steps until misuse is discovered.

What if the Victim Is a Child?

A child’s Social Security number may be used to open accounts, obtain utilities, apply for benefits or create a false identity.

Possible warning signs include:

  • Credit-card offers addressed to the child
  • Collection notices
  • A denied government benefit
  • A notice that the Social Security number was used elsewhere
  • A credit file existing before the child used credit

A parent or authorized representative may need to:

  • Report the identity theft
  • Prove the adult’s identity and authority
  • Prove the child’s identity
  • Request the child’s credit report
  • Place a protected-consumer credit freeze
  • Block fraudulent information
  • Contact each company involved

Use:

How to Freeze Your Credit for Free

How Long Does Identity-Theft Recovery Take?

There is no single recovery timeline.

The time depends on:

  • The number of fraudulent accounts
  • Whether existing accounts were compromised
  • Whether tax or benefit records were affected
  • How quickly businesses respond
  • Whether credit reports contain fraudulent information
  • Whether debt collectors are involved
  • Whether the thief continues attempting fraud
Recovery task Possible timing
Lock compromised card Often immediate
Place credit freezes Usually immediate or shortly after verification
Create FTC report Can be completed online once details are available
Block qualifying credit information Generally within four business days after a complete request
Resolve fraudulent company account Varies by company and evidence
Resolve tax or government-benefit identity theft May take considerably longer

Recovery is a process rather than a single report. Continue checking accounts and credit reports after the first problems are corrected.

What if a Business Rejects Your FTC Report?

Ask the business to explain:

  • Which document is missing
  • Whether it requires proof of identity
  • Whether it requires a police report
  • Which fraud-dispute address should be used
  • Why it believes the account belongs to you
  • What additional records it reviewed

Then:

Correct an incomplete submission

Provide required identification, account details or supporting records.

Use the company’s fraud department

Do not rely only on ordinary customer service.

Request the decision in writing

Ask the company to explain why it rejected the claim.

Send a focused follow-up

Identify the exact fraudulent transaction and attach the FTC report.

Escalate appropriately

Use a regulator, consumer complaint process or legal assistance when needed.

Do not repeatedly send the same incomplete package. Find out exactly what the company says is missing.

Can You Update the Identity Theft Report?

When you create an IdentityTheft.gov account, you can return to the recovery plan and update it as additional problems appear.

You may need to update your records when:

  • A second fraudulent account appears
  • A collector contacts you
  • A credit report reveals another debt
  • A government agency sends a notice
  • You identify the suspected thief
  • A business provides new account-opening information

Save copies of:

  • The original report
  • Every updated report
  • The dates each version was created
  • Which companies received each version

Do not alter a previously sent PDF manually. Update the report through the official process and preserve each version.

Identity-Theft Recovery Log

Use a tracking table for every account, agency and credit bureau.

Company or agency Date contacted Case number Documents sent Next deadline Status
[Credit bureau] [Date] [Number] [Report, ID, letter] [Date] [Pending/resolved]
[Bank or creditor] [Date] [Number] [Report and records] [Date] [Pending/resolved]
[Debt collector] [Date] [Number] [Dispute package] [Date] [Pending/resolved]
[Government agency] [Date] [Number] [Agency forms] [Date] [Pending/resolved]

Also record:

  • Representative names
  • Telephone numbers used
  • Mail tracking numbers
  • Promises made
  • Expected response dates
  • Refund or adjustment amounts
  • Credit-report correction dates

How Should You Protect the Report?

The report and supporting records may contain sensitive personal information.

Protect them by:

  • Using encrypted or password-protected storage
  • Keeping paper copies in a secure location
  • Redacting unrelated information before sending documents
  • Using official secure upload portals
  • Avoiding ordinary email for complete Social Security numbers
  • Sending only the documents each company needs
  • Destroying unnecessary duplicate copies securely

A fake “recovery specialist” may ask for your complete report, passwords or verification codes. Do not share account passwords, PINs or one-time security codes.

How to Avoid Identity-Theft Recovery Scams

Warning signs include a company that:

  • Charges for an FTC Identity Theft Report
  • Claims to be IdentityTheft.gov but does not use a .gov domain
  • Promises instant removal of every credit item
  • Asks you to create a false police or identity-theft report
  • Demands gift cards, cryptocurrency or wire transfers
  • Requests remote access to your computer
  • Asks for banking passwords or verification codes
  • Guarantees a new credit identity

The FTC report, recovery plan, credit freezes and fraud alerts are available free.

Identity-Theft Recovery Checklist

Stop active fraud

Lock accounts and report unauthorized activity immediately.

Secure email and telephone accounts

Change passwords and remove unknown devices.

Freeze all three credit reports

Contact Equifax, Experian and TransUnion separately.

Get all three credit reports

Mark every account and inquiry you do not recognize.

Create the FTC Identity Theft Report

Use IdentityTheft.gov and provide accurate details.

Save the recovery plan

Create a free account or download the documents immediately.

Close fraudulent accounts

Contact each company’s fraud department.

Block fraudulent credit information

Send the report, proof of identity and itemized blocking letter.

Respond to debt collectors

Dispute debts resulting from identity theft in writing.

Contact specialized agencies

Follow separate steps for tax, unemployment, medical or benefit fraud.

Track every response

Keep case numbers, letters and delivery records.

Continue monitoring

Watch for new accounts, collection notices and government correspondence.

Identity-Theft Recovery Mistakes to Avoid

Waiting for more fraud to appear

Secure affected accounts and freeze credit as soon as identity theft is discovered.

Using an unofficial reporting website

Use IdentityTheft.gov or RobodeIdentidad.gov.

Failing to save the report

Download or print the report and recovery plan before leaving when you did not create an account.

Reporting a legitimate account as identity theft

Use identity-theft procedures only for genuinely unauthorized activity.

Relying only on a fraud alert

Consider freezing all three reports when new-account fraud is a concern.

Contacting only one bureau for a credit freeze

A freeze must be placed separately at Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.

Sending a general blocking request

Identify every fraudulent account or item specifically.

Sending no proof of identity

Follow each company or bureau’s document requirements.

Ignoring collection letters

Dispute identity-theft debts promptly and preserve the correspondence.

Sending sensitive records insecurely

Use official portals or verified mailing addresses.

Paying for free government services

The FTC report and personalized recovery plan are free.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the FTC Identity Theft Report free?

Yes. IdentityTheft.gov creates the FTC Identity Theft Report and personal recovery plan without charging a fee.

What is the official identity-theft reporting website?

The official English-language site is IdentityTheft.gov. The Spanish-language site is RobodeIdentidad.gov.

What does an FTC Identity Theft Report do?

It documents your report, helps prove identity theft to businesses and supports recovery steps such as closing fraudulent accounts and blocking fraudulent credit information.

Is an FTC Identity Theft Report the same as a police report?

No. It is an official federal identity-theft report, but a local police report is a separate document. Some businesses or agencies may request both.

Is a police report always required?

No. Many recovery steps can use the FTC Identity Theft Report, but certain companies or circumstances may still require a police report.

Do I need to create an IdentityTheft.gov account?

No, but an account lets you return to the plan, track progress, update information and generate prefilled letters.

What happens if I do not create an account?

You must print or save the report and recovery plan before leaving the site because you will not be able to retrieve or update them later through an account.

Can I report identity theft by telephone?

Yes. The FTC identity-theft reporting number is 1-877-438-4338.

Does filing automatically notify my banks and credit bureaus?

No. Follow the recovery plan and contact each affected company, agency and credit bureau.

Can the report remove fraudulent accounts from my credit report?

It can support an identity-theft blocking request. You must also provide proof of identity and identify the fraudulent information to each bureau displaying it.

How long does an identity-theft credit block take?

A credit reporting company generally must block qualifying information within four business days after receiving the complete required submission.

Is identity-theft blocking the same as a normal credit dispute?

No. A normal dispute generally has a 30-day investigation period. Identity-theft blocking is a separate procedure for fraudulent information.

Should I freeze my credit after identity theft?

A freeze is generally an important protective step when someone may attempt to open credit using your information.

Does a credit freeze hurt my score?

No. Placing or lifting a credit freeze does not affect your credit score.

How long does an extended fraud alert last?

An extended fraud alert for an identity-theft victim generally lasts seven years.

Can the report stop collection of a fraudulent debt?

It can support a written identity-theft dispute to the collector. IdentityTheft.gov provides a sample letter for debts that do not belong to you.

Can I get the fraudulent account application?

Identity-theft victims may request business records connected with the fraudulent account, including applications, statements and delivery information.

Should I file when my information was exposed but not used?

Use the IdentityTheft.gov data-breach guidance first. Create an identity-theft report when you discover misuse or an attempted fraudulent use.

Should I use it because I sent money to a scammer?

Use ReportFraud.ftc.gov for a scam payment. Also use IdentityTheft.gov when the scammer misused your identifying information.

Does the FTC report notify the IRS?

Tax identity theft can require additional IRS procedures. Follow IdentityTheft.gov and IRS instructions, and file Form 14039 only when appropriate.

Can I add another fraudulent account later?

Yes, when you created an IdentityTheft.gov account. Save each updated version and track which companies received it.

Can I delete an identity-theft report?

Contact the FTC through its official procedures when a submitted report contains an error. Do not modify the downloaded report yourself.

Do I need an identity-theft recovery company?

No. You can create the report, recovery plan, freezes, fraud alerts and dispute letters yourself for free. Professional assistance may be useful for complex legal or tax matters.

How long does recovery take?

Some protective steps are immediate, while credit, tax, benefit and collection problems can take weeks or months to resolve.

Is IdentityTheft.gov safe?

It is the Federal Trade Commission’s official government website. Confirm that the address ends in .gov and uses a secure HTTPS connection.

Official Identity-Theft Resources

Bottom Line

IdentityTheft.gov gives identity-theft victims a free FTC Identity Theft Report and a personalized recovery plan. The report can help close fraudulent accounts, remove unauthorized charges, respond to collectors and block fraudulent information from credit reports.

Creating the report is only the beginning. Follow the recovery plan, freeze all three credit reports, contact every affected business and preserve complete records until each account, debt and report entry is resolved.

The practical rule: Report genuine identity theft through the official .gov website, save the report immediately and use the personalized plan to address each affected account one at a time.

Charge Decoded provides general U.S. consumer information and does not provide individualized legal, tax, credit or financial advice. Identity-theft procedures and required documents can vary by company, agency and circumstances.

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