To protect yourself from identity theft, keep sensitive information private, secure your accounts, monitor financial and credit records, and use a credit freeze or fraud alert when appropriate. If you spot suspicious activity, contact the affected company, report it at IdentityTheft.gov, and follow the recovery steps for the account or agency involved.
What identity theft looks like
Identity theft happens when someone uses your personal or financial information without your permission. That information can include your name and address, Social Security number, bank account or credit card details, or medical insurance account number. The consequences may involve credit, bank accounts, taxes, benefits, employment, or medical coverage.
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Warning signs can include unfamiliar bills, collection calls about accounts you did not open, accounts you do not recognize on a credit report, a loan denial, or mail that stops arriving. Tax-related signs include a rejected return, an unfamiliar W-2 or 1099, unexpected unemployment benefits, or wages on your Social Security record that you did not earn. These signs deserve investigation, but none by itself proves identity theft. See USAGov’s identity theft guidance and the IRS identity theft guide.
Everyday steps that reduce risk
- Protect your Social Security number. Keep the card and documents showing the number in a secure place rather than carrying them routinely. Share the number only when necessary and when you trust the request. The IRS advises providing it only when you initiate contact or know who is asking.
- Secure important accounts. Use complex, unique passwords for email, financial, tax, and other sensitive accounts. Keep computer security patches current; the IRS also recommends a firewall and anti-spam and antivirus software.
- Be cautious with unexpected requests. Do not reply to unsolicited calls or messages asking for personal information. If a message claims to be from the IRS or demands immediate payment, independently verify it through official IRS contact information. The IRS says it does not initiate contact by email or social media to request personal or financial information.
- Review records regularly. Check bank and card statements, credit reports, and your Social Security earnings record for activity you do not recognize.
- Protect physical mail and paperwork. Collect mail regularly, arrange a hold while away, and securely dispose of sensitive paperwork. The FTC advises shredding items such as charge receipts and copies of credit applications.
These habits lower risk but cannot guarantee that theft will not happen. A data breach also does not, by itself, mean exposed information has already been used fraudulently. See IRS identity protection tips and the FTC’s identity theft advice.
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Credit freeze or fraud alert: which should you use?
Both tools address the risk of someone opening new credit in your name, but they work differently. A freeze restricts access to your credit report; a fraud alert asks businesses to take extra steps to verify identity before opening credit. Neither protects an already-compromised bank login or tax account.
| Tool | What it does | Who to contact | Cost and duration | What to consider |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Credit freeze | Limits access to your credit report, which can make it harder for a thief to open new credit. | Contact Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion separately. | Free to place and remove; stays in place until you lift or remove it. | You may need to lift it when applying for credit. |
| Initial fraud alert | Asks businesses to take reasonable steps to verify your identity before opening new credit. | Contact one of the three nationwide credit bureaus; it must notify the other two. | Free; lasts one year. | Useful when you want a verification warning without restricting access to your credit file. |
| Extended fraud alert | Provides a longer-lasting identity-verification alert for a person who has experienced identity theft. | Follow a bureau’s instructions and provide requested documentation; an FTC Identity Theft Report may be required. | Free; lasts seven years. | Eligibility and documentation steps apply. |
A freeze and an alert can coexist: one limits file access, while the other adds a verification instruction. For current placement instructions and rights, use the FTC recovery steps and FTC Know Your Rights.
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What to do if you suspect identity theft
- Contact affected companies. Call the fraud department at each bank, card issuer, or other company where you found suspicious activity. Ask it to close or freeze affected accounts and explain its dispute and documentation process. Change passwords and PINs for affected accounts.
- Place a fraud alert and inspect your credit reports. You can place an initial alert through one nationwide credit bureau. Get reports from all three bureaus and look for accounts or transactions you do not recognize. The FTC recovery guidance directs consumers to AnnualCreditReport.com for free reports and says they can be checked weekly for free.
- Report the theft to the FTC. Go to IdentityTheft.gov or call 1-877-438-4338. The service can create an FTC Identity Theft Report and a recovery plan tailored to your situation. Save or print both; if you use the site without creating an account, save them before leaving the page.
- Choose whether to add a longer-term credit safeguard. Consider a credit freeze or, if you qualify, an extended fraud alert. Follow the bureau’s documentation instructions for an extended alert.
- Keep an evidence log. Save letters, emails, dispute documents, case numbers, and notes of calls, including dates and the people you spoke with. A police report may help in some situations; the FTC advises bringing the FTC report and supporting evidence if you file one.
- Report unauthorized bank or card activity promptly. Contact the bank or card issuer and follow its reporting process. Rights and deadlines depend on the payment type and circumstances, so get instructions from the company rather than assuming every case has the same reimbursement rules.
An FTC Identity Theft Report can help prove the theft to businesses and give consumers certain rights. The FTC’s rights guidance explains more; also follow the affected company’s and agency’s specific instructions.
If your Social Security number or tax account may be involved
For suspected tax identity theft, stop communicating with the suspected thief, avoid suspicious links and attachments, and update your IRS online account password to a complex, unique one. Follow the instructions on any IRS notice, report the issue, use IdentityTheft.gov’s recovery guidance, and keep records of communications. Continue filing returns and paying taxes as usual unless the IRS instructs you otherwise; check with your state tax agency about additional steps.
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An IRS Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN) helps prevent someone else from filing a federal tax return using your identifying number. The IRS guide includes separate procedures for dependent, deceased-person, and employment identity theft. If you receive an IRS notice, verify it and follow its directions rather than automatically sending a form: the IRS says most people do not need to file Form 14039 and explains when that affidavit is appropriate in its identity theft guide.
Quick Recap
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