If someone is using your identity, immediately report it at IdentityTheft.gov to get a recovery plan, file an FTC report and police report (using the FTC info), place fraud alerts or credit freezes with the major credit bureaus, notify banks/creditors, change passwords, and monitor your credit reports for suspicious activity, as this comprehensive approach helps stop further misuse and restores your identity.
Prevention tips
To report identity theft, contact: The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) online at IdentityTheft.gov or call 1-877-438-4338. The three major credit reporting agencies. Ask them to place fraud alerts and a credit freeze on your accounts.
Yes, police do take action on identity theft, but their involvement varies; they often rely heavily on victims filing reports with the FTC to build a case, investigate if there are clear leads or a pattern, and may assign investigators if the crime is clearly local, but can struggle with jurisdictional issues or resource limitations, making the police report crucial for you to resolve fraudulent debts with creditors.
Report the incident to the police, especially if it involves stolen identification. Insist on receiving a complaint number. The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre provides valuable information and guidance. Report all stolen credit cards to the issuers and request new cards.
To prove identity theft, gather evidence like fraudulent account statements, credit report errors, and debt collection notices, then file a report on IdentityTheft.gov to get an official Identity Theft Report, which you'll use with a police report and your ID to dispute fraud with creditors and credit bureaus. Document everything meticulously to show unauthorized activity and clear your name, using forms like the FTC's Identity Theft Affidavit to formalize your claims.
File a report with your local police department
Contact your local law enforcement agency. Provide them with your basic info, proof that your identity has been stolen, and a copy of your FTC report. Request a copy of your completed police report.
If you know your Social Security information has been compromised, you can request to Block Electronic Access. This is done by calling our National 800 number (Toll Free 1-800-772-1213 or at our TTY number at 1-800-325-0778).
If you have been a victim of fraud or cybercrime, please contact your local police as soon as possible. It is also recommended that you report the instance of a fraud or cybercrime, whether you are a victim or not, to the CAFC. Remember: It's the role of your local police to investigate.
Here's how to tell if identity theft has already happened:
ID theft victims should reach out to law enforcement
If you are a victim of identity theft, you should file a police report with the law enforcement agency closest to where you live.
Yes, you should take steps to "lock" or protect your Social Security Number (SSN) by using free services like credit freezes and SSN locks (like E-Verify Self Lock), and by being cautious about sharing it, as this significantly helps prevent employment fraud, tax scams, and unauthorized access to accounts. While no single lock stops all identity theft, combining freezes, locks, monitoring your accounts, and limiting SSN disclosure offers strong defense against fraudsters using your SSN for loans, jobs, or benefits.
An IP PIN is a six-digit number issued by the IRS to help prevent others from filing fraudulent tax returns in your name using your Social Security number or ITIN. The fastest way to get an IP PIN is through an IRS online account. You can sign up for a one-time IP PIN or to have them sent to you every year.
For example, a 2023 report from the Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC) showed that 71% of consumers that reported identity misuse to them were able to resolve it within a month. However, the IRS's processing of Identity Theft Victim Assistance (IDTVA) cases are averaging 506 days, in 2025.
Identity Theft. If you've been the victim of identity theft, you can take steps to reclaim your good name and restore your credit. To make certain that you do not become responsible for any debts incurred in your name by an identity thief, you must prove that you didn't create the debt.
What Can Scammers Do With Your ID or Driver's License?
California Vehicle Code 13004 specifically states that it is unlawful to: To lend (your) identification card to any other person or knowingly permit the use thereof by another.
Learn 11 of the most common ways of identity theft can happen.
How to tell if someone is using your identity