How do I report identity theft?
Report to the FTC at IdentityTheft.gov (US), which generates a personalised recovery plan. In the UK, report to Action Fraud and contact the fraud teams at affected companies directly.
Last reviewed: 10 June 2026
Explanation
Identity theft occurs when someone uses your personal information — name, date of birth, address, Social Security or National Insurance number — to open accounts, take loans, make purchases, or commit crimes in your name. In the US, go to IdentityTheft.gov, which is the FTC's dedicated identity theft reporting and recovery portal. The site creates an Identity Theft Report and a step-by-step personalised recovery plan, and pre-fills letters you can send to companies where fraud occurred.
In the UK, report to Action Fraud at actionfraud.police.uk. You should also contact CIFAS, the fraud prevention service, to place a protective registration on your credit file, which means lenders take extra steps to verify your identity before opening any account. In Australia, report to the Australian Cyber Security Centre and IDCARE (idcare.org), a national identity and cyber support service.
Contact the three main credit reference agencies — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — to place a fraud alert or credit freeze on your file. A fraud alert requires lenders to verify your identity before extending credit. A freeze (available in the US) prevents new credit from being opened altogether. Both are free and can be done online.
File a police report to obtain a crime reference number. This is needed when disputing fraudulent accounts or debt claims. Notify any financial institution, lender, or government agency where the thief has created or misused an account.
Common red flags
- Bills or debt collection notices arrived for accounts you did not open
- Your credit score dropped unexpectedly
- You were denied credit despite a good financial history
- Unknown accounts or enquiries appeared on your credit report
- You received a tax refund rejection because a return was already filed in your name
- Government benefit claims were made in your name without your knowledge
What to do now
- Go to IdentityTheft.gov (US) or report to Action Fraud (UK)
- Place a fraud alert or credit freeze with Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion
- Contact every company where fraud occurred and close or dispute accounts
- File a police report for a crime reference number
- Contact CIFAS for protective registration (UK)
- Read /scams/identity-theft-data-scams for a full recovery roadmap
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to recover from identity theft?
Recovery can take from a few months to several years depending on the extent of the fraud. Placing a credit freeze quickly limits further damage. Disputing each fraudulent account through the company's fraud dispute process is time-consuming but achievable.
Does a credit freeze hurt my credit score?
No. A credit freeze does not affect your credit score. It simply prevents new credit from being opened. You can temporarily lift the freeze when you need to apply for legitimate credit.