Question

If an individual suspects their identity has been stolen they should report their concerns to the Federal Trade Commission.

Answer 1

Yes. If you suspect identity theft you should report it to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and take a number of immediate steps to limit damage and begin recovery.

What to do right away
- Go to IdentityTheft.gov (the FTC’s identity-theft site). File a complaint there — it creates a personalized recovery plan and an Identity Theft Report you can use when disputing fraudulent accounts.
- Contact the companies where you see fraud (banks, credit card issuers, utilities). Close or freeze affected accounts and dispute unauthorized charges immediately.
- Place a fraud alert or a credit freeze with the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion). A fraud alert makes it harder for new accounts to be opened in your name; a credit freeze blocks most new credit applications.
- Get your free credit reports (AnnualCreditReport.com) and review them for unfamiliar accounts or inquiries.
- Change passwords for online accounts, enable two-factor authentication, and secure email (email is often used to reset other accounts).
- File a police report with your local law enforcement (bring ID and any documentation of the fraud). Keep copies of the police report and all correspondence.

Other important reports and actions
- Use the FTC report and your police report when disputing fraudulent accounts and asking businesses to remove fraudulent information.
- If your Social Security number was misused, contact the Social Security Administration and consider placing additional protections.
- If you suspect tax-related identity theft, contact the IRS (see IRS.gov for guidance).
- If mail was stolen, notify the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.

What to document and keep
- Dates and details of fraud, copies/screenshots of fraudulent transactions or accounts, names and contact info of people you spoke with, copies of complaints and police reports. Keep a log of all steps you take.

Where to report
- IdentityTheft.gov — file the FTC complaint and get a recovery plan (online).
- FTC Consumer Response Center: 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357) is the general FTC number.

If you want, I can:
- Help you draft dispute letters or sample messages to banks, credit bureaus, or creditors.
- Walk through creating an IdentityTheft.gov report, or outline the exact information you’ll need for a police report.