The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →If someone opened an account in your name, act on two tracks: contact the business that owns the account and correct any false information on your credit reports. Report the theft at IdentityTheft.gov, save your recovery plan and FTC Identity Theft Report, and keep a dated record of every call and letter. The steps below follow U.S. Federal Trade Commission guidance; tax, medical, child, benefits, and government-loan identity theft may require additional agency-specific action.
What to do first after discovering identity theft
- Contact the affected business. Call its fraud department, explain which account or activity is not yours, and ask it to close or freeze the account as appropriate. Change passwords and PINs on any affected accounts. Record the date, department or representative, and action requested.
- Place an initial fraud alert and review your credit reports. Contact one of Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion to request a free one-year fraud alert; that bureau must notify the other two. Review your reports for unfamiliar accounts or activity. The FTC directs consumers to AnnualCreditReport.com and says reports are available free weekly. Bureau contact options are listed in the FTC’s credit bureau directory.
- Report the identity theft to the FTC. Use IdentityTheft.gov online or its phone route to create an FTC Identity Theft Report and a personalized recovery plan. Save both. If you do not create an account on the site, print and save the documents immediately; the FTC warns they may not remain accessible after you leave the page.
- Follow up with each affected business. Ask the business to close the fraudulent account and send written confirmation that the account is not yours, you are not liable, and the account has been removed from your credit report. It may ask for your FTC report or require its own fraud form. Keep the confirmation and log each contact.
- Dispute the fraudulent credit-report information. Send the relevant credit bureau a written request to block the specific fraudulent item, along with a copy of your FTC Identity Theft Report and proof of identity. Explain why each item resulted from identity theft. Use the FTC’s recovery steps and sample letters to select a template for a bureau dispute, new or existing account, or debt collector.
- Consider stronger safeguards. An extended fraud alert or credit freeze may make it harder for someone to open new credit in your name. Their duration and setup differ; see the comparison below.
- Keep monitoring and preserve evidence. Save reports, letters, account confirmations, and notes showing who you contacted and when. Check your credit reports for new unfamiliar items.
How to dispute an account you did not open
Contact the company that opened or services the account
Tell the business that the account is fraudulent and ask it to close or freeze it as appropriate. Request written confirmation that you are not responsible for the debt and that the account has been removed from your credit report. These business-level actions do not replace a dispute with each credit bureau showing the account.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Ask the credit bureaus to block the item
In your letter, identify the account or other information precisely, explain that it stems from identity theft, and include a copy of your FTC Identity Theft Report and proof of identity. The FTC calls removal through this identity-theft process “blocking.” Its bureau dispute letter offers a template. Keep a copy of everything you send.
If a debt collector contacts you
Use the FTC’s sample letter for a debt collector and explain that the debt is connected to identity theft. Also follow up with the company that owns or services the account and with each bureau reporting it; a collection contact, a business account, and a credit-file entry are related but separate matters.
#1 Best Overall
What to send with a credit-report blocking request
- A copy of your FTC Identity Theft Report.
- Proof of identity.
- A letter identifying each fraudulent item and explaining why it is the result of identity theft.
- Only documentation relevant to the disputed account or item, and copies of all materials for your records.
The FTC says that when information is blocked, it will not appear on your credit report and companies cannot try to collect the debt. You can also write to the company holding records, include your FTC report, and request identity-theft-related documents such as account applications or transaction records. See the FTC’s Know Your Rights page.
Fraud alert or credit freeze: which should you use?
| Safeguard | What it does | Duration and setup |
|---|---|---|
| Initial fraud alert | Asks prospective creditors to take reasonable steps to verify your identity. | Free for one year. Contact one bureau; it must notify the other two. |
| Extended fraud alert | Requires potential creditors to contact you before issuing credit; available to identity-theft victims. | Lasts seven years. Provide an FTC Identity Theft Report and contact a bureau. |
| Credit freeze | Limits access to your credit report, making it harder to open new accounts. | Free. Request it separately from each of the three bureaus. It remains in place until you lift or remove it. |
The alert and freeze are preventive safeguards; neither takes the place of disputing an account that has already appeared. FTC guidance describes these protections and your related rights on its recovery steps and rights pages.
Do you need an FTC Identity Theft Report or a police report?
An FTC Identity Theft Report is useful for the identity-theft blocking process and is required for an extended fraud alert. You can still dispute inaccurate credit-file information without one, but the FTC warns that resolving it may take longer and there is no guarantee the bureaus will remove it.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →A police report is not universally required. The FTC describes reporting to local police as an option and notes that some businesses require one to remove fraudulent debts from an affected account. Ask the business what documentation it requires. For other FTC guidance and contact routes, use its identity-theft resources.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Keep a recovery record and check for repeat activity
- Keep copies of the FTC report and recovery plan, dispute letters, supporting documents, and business confirmations.
- For each call or letter, note the date, organization, department or person, what you reported, and the response or next action promised.
- Check your credit reports for additional unfamiliar accounts or activity; the FTC says free weekly reports are available through AnnualCreditReport.com.
- Use the FTC’s contact directory and each business’s instructions for current contact details rather than relying on old addresses or phone numbers.
The FTC describes IdentityTheft.gov as “the federal government’s one-stop resource for identity theft victims.” The procedures here concern U.S. consumers; reporting routes and rights differ elsewhere.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
