How to Report Identity Theft

Finding out that someone is trying to steal your identity can be extremely unsettling. Acting quickly can limit the damage to your finances and your credit. Knowing how to report identity theft and who to reach out to can help you stop fraudulent activity and protect your accounts. 

How to report identity theft

Step 1: Gather evidence of identity theft

Start by collecting any documents that show unauthorized activity on your accounts. Make copies of everything. You should be diligent about monitoring your accounts so that you can pick up on unusual activity as soon as possible.

Step 2: Place a fraud alert or credit freeze 

Reach out to any lender or bank that oversees affected accounts and notify them of your concerns. They can freeze your credit or debit cards and place a fraud alert on your accounts.

Step 3: Report identity theft to the FTC

You should report any identity theft to the Federal Trade Commission at IdentityTheft.gov. This creates an identity theft report and a personalized recovery plan to help you bounce back.

Step 4: Contact affected banks and creditors 

Follow up with your bank or creditors associated with the fraudulent activity. Ask them to close any compromised accounts and start getting replacement cards. You should also ask them to email you any records relevant to the activity so that you can provide this information to the credit bureaus. 

Step 5: Dispute fraudulent items on your credit report

Review your credit reports and dispute any accounts or inquiries you don't recognize.

Signs your identity might have been stolen

Watch for these common red flags:

• Unexpected credit card charges or withdrawals
• New credit accounts you didn't open
• A drop in your credit score with no clear reason
• Collection calls for unfamiliar debts

Common mistakes to avoid after identity theft

After finding out your identity has been stolen, avoid these mistakes:

• Waiting too long to file a report
• Not monitoring your credit with a credit monitoring app afterward
• Paying fraudulent debts
• Ignoring smaller suspicious charges

How to rebuild after identity theft

If you've been the victim of identity theft, use the tips above to start rebuilding your credit profile. Solutions like Kikoff make it easy to report positive behavior, such as on-time rent payments, and strengthen your score. 

Add positive payment history to your credit profile with Kikoff.