Report Identity Theft
Last updated March 11, 2026
The short answer
Create a personalized recovery plan if someone used your personal information
IdentityTheft.gov is the federal government's one-stop resource for identity theft victims. It creates a personalized recovery plan based on your specific situation and generates pre-filled letters you can send to banks, credit bureaus, and other institutions.
What they handle
- Someone opened accounts in your name
- Someone filed taxes using your Social Security number
- Someone used your personal info to get medical care
- Someone used your identity during a police encounter
- Unauthorized charges on your existing accounts
- Your information was exposed in a data breach
How to file a report
- 1
Go to IdentityTheft.gov
Click "Get Started" to begin your report.
- 2
Tell them what happened
Answer questions about what type of identity theft you experienced. You can check multiple categories.
- 3
Get your recovery plan
Based on your answers, the site creates a step-by-step plan specific to your situation.
- 4
Follow the steps
The plan includes pre-filled letters to send to credit bureaus, banks, and other companies. It also tells you what to do and in what order.
- 5
Get your Identity Theft Report
This official report serves as proof that you're a victim. You'll need it to dispute fraudulent accounts and charges.
What you'll need
- Your personal information (name, address, Social Security number, date of birth)
- Details about the identity theft (what happened, when you discovered it)
- Names of companies where fraudulent accounts were opened
- Any police reports you've already filed
What to expect
You'll get an immediate personalized recovery plan with specific steps and pre-filled documents. The recovery process itself takes time. Disputing accounts, placing fraud alerts, and monitoring your credit can take weeks to months. But the plan walks you through everything.
Frequently asked questions
What is an Identity Theft Report?
An official FTC document that proves you're an identity theft victim. It's generated when you report at IdentityTheft.gov. You'll need it to dispute fraudulent accounts and remove bad entries from your credit report.
How long does identity theft recovery take?
It varies, but the initial steps (fraud alerts, filing reports, freezing credit) can be done in a day. Disputing fraudulent accounts and fully clearing your name can take weeks to months. IdentityTheft.gov provides a step-by-step plan.