IdentityTheft.gov is the official FTC site for reporting identity theft in the United States. It creates an FTC Identity Theft Report and a recovery plan tailored to what happened.
Does this affect you?
Use this if someone opened an account, made a credit inquiry, filed taxes, used benefits, or misused personal information in your name.
File at IdentityTheft.gov
Have account details, notices, and documents nearby before you start.
- Go to IdentityTheft.gov by typing the address into your browser.
- Choose Get Started.
- Select what happened, such as a fraudulent credit card, bank account, tax filing, or broader misuse of personal information.
- Answer the guided questions about affected accounts, dates, businesses, and steps already taken.
- Create an account or continue as a guest. Creating an account lets you return and update the recovery plan.
- Download or print the FTC Identity Theft Report. Banks, bureaus, and businesses often ask for it when disputing fraud.
Follow-up steps most people need
Your FTC plan will be specific, but these steps are common.
- Place free credit freezes with Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.
- Consider a fraud alert if a freeze is too much friction or as an added signal.
- Contact the fraud department of each affected business and ask to close or reverse fraudulent accounts.
- Review credit reports at AnnualCreditReport.com for other accounts or inquiries.
- Change passwords on affected and related accounts, especially if email was compromised.
- Turn on two-factor authentication where available.
- Keep records of dates, names, confirmation numbers, letters, and calls.
More control
The FTC report has legal value
An FTC Identity Theft Report can help block fraudulent information from credit reports and support an extended fraud alert.
A police report may also help
For serious cases, known suspects, or businesses that require one, file a police report and bring the FTC report and evidence with you.
Sources
- Federal Trade Commission – IdentityTheft.gov (2025)
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau – What to do if you are a victim of identity theft (2025)
- Federal Trade Commission – Free credit freezes and fraud alerts (2025)
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