What to Do If Your Identity is Stolen (and 7 Signs It Might Be)

If you believe your identity has been stolen, you should take immediate steps to contact the FTC and law enforcement. The FTC received more than 1.1 million reports of identity theft in 2024 — a 9.5% increase over the prior year — and the financial toll keeps climbing.

Our identity theft survey found that victims lose $3,312 on average, and 23% say they're still dealing with repercussions months or even years later.

Having your identity stolen is a stressful experience. You may feel like your privacy and security have been violated, and regaining control of your identity can be an uphill battle — our survey found that while most victims detect the theft within two weeks, fewer than a third are able to fully recover in that same timeframe.

Read on to find out how to tell if your identity was stolen, what to do if it happens to you, and how an identity theft protection service can help keep your information safe.

What to do if your identity is stolen

If you discover your identity has been stolen, act quickly to minimize damage to your credit history, finances, and legal standing. Our identity theft survey found that 51% of victims detected the crime within two weeks — but only 33% were able to recover in that same window. The faster you move, the better your chances of limiting the damage. Here is what to do if you think you may be a victim:

1. Immediately contact relevant companies and organizations

If you discover suspicious activity that might indicate identity theft, contact the companies and organizations involved right away.

For example, if you receive a credit alert for an unknown new account, reach out to the fraud department of that credit card issuer to find out more. If it's not an account you opened, inform the company of the identity theft and contact the credit bureau as well.

2. Place a fraud alert on your credit reports

Before or alongside a full credit freeze, consider placing a fraud alert on your credit reports. A fraud alert notifies potential lenders that you may be a victim of identity theft, requiring them to take extra steps to verify your identity before extending credit. You only need to contact one bureau — it's required to notify the other two.

• Equifax fraud alert
• Experian fraud alert
• TransUnion fraud alert

3. Freeze your credit with all three bureaus

A credit freeze goes further than a fraud alert — it locks your credit file entirely so that no one, including you, can open new accounts until you lift the freeze. Contact all three credit reporting agencies to do this:

• Equifax
• Experian
• TransUnion

This stops additional accounts from being opened in your name while you assess the full scope of the damage.

4. File a report with the FTC

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) protects U.S. individuals from identity theft and tracks activity across the country. Report identity theft to the FTC at IdentityTheft.gov, where you'll also receive a personalized recovery plan and step-by-step guidance. If you believe someone filed taxes using your identity, you should also file a separate report with the IRS.

5. Inform the Social Security Administration

If your Social Security number was compromised, file a report with the Social Security Administration (SSA) online. Reporting to the SSA can help curb further misuse of your number. If your card itself was lost or stolen, read our guide on what to do if you lose your Social Security card.

6. Contact other relevant agencies, companies, and banks

Depending on what information was compromised, contact all relevant agencies and institutions. If your driver's license was stolen, contact the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). If your employer uses a company credit card or has access to sensitive personal information, let them know as well.

Make a comprehensive list of every company or organization that may need to be notified and work through it systematically — this list will also help when you file a police report.

7. Determine the scale of the theft

Review your credit report and all bank and credit accounts thoroughly to understand what has been compromised. You're entitled to free weekly credit reports from each of the three major bureaus — take advantage of these to get a full picture of the damage.

8. File a police report

Contact your local police department and file a police report about the identity theft. This report may help locate the perpetrator, and credit bureaus, banks, and card issuers may request a copy as they assist you in the recovery process.

7 signs someone stole your identity

Our identity theft survey found that 42% of victims only discovered the theft by noticing missing money or unfamiliar charges on their accounts — making financial vigilance one of the most important detection tools available to you.

Learning to recognize the signs of identity theft early can significantly limit the damage. 

1. You're getting unrecognizable charges and bills

Pay close attention to your monthly bills and bank charges. Unfamiliar transactions could be fraudulent charges — one of the most common early signs of identity theft. Another warning sign: bills you used to receive have stopped arriving, which may mean someone changed your address or contact details without your knowledge.

2. Your credit report has accounts you didn't open

Check your credit report regularly for accounts you don't recognize. You're entitled to free weekly credit reports from each bureau at AnnualCreditReport.com — take advantage of this to catch unauthorized accounts as quickly as possible.

3. You receive collection calls for unknown debt

Debt collection calls for accounts you don't recognize may mean someone opened an account using your identity. Request a written debt validation letter from the collector — by law it must include the name of the original creditor, the amount owed, and the name of the person legally responsible for the debt.

4. Your taxes are filed more than once

If you try to file your taxes and the IRS alerts you that a return has already been filed using your Social Security number, your identity may have been stolen. Filing your taxes early each year reduces the window of opportunity for thieves to claim your refund before you do.

5. Unusual withdrawals from your bank account

Monitor your bank accounts for any unusual withdrawals or deposits. Suspicious transactions — even small ones that seem insignificant — can indicate that someone has access to your personal financial information.

6. Accounts opened in your children's names

Children are a frequent target for identity thieves because their credit histories are clean, and the crime can go undetected for years. If you notice financial correspondence — credit cards, bills, or collection notices — addressed to your children, investigate immediately. Read our guide on child identity theft for more on what to look for and how to respond.

7. Your information was part of a data breach

If your personal information was exposed in a data breach, your identity may be at risk. Some companies will notify you, but not always promptly. Our data breach survey found that nearly two-thirds of internet users received a data breach notice in the past year — yet 24% admitted they hadn't changed or secured accounts they knew were compromised. If you receive a breach notification, act on it immediately rather than waiting to see if anything goes wrong.

How to prevent identity theft

The best defense against identity theft is staying proactive about protecting your personal information. Here are the most effective steps you can take:

1. Keep your credit reports frozen

Freezing your credit reports with all three bureaus stops anyone from opening new accounts in your name without your knowledge. If you need to open a new account yourself, you can temporarily lift the freeze and reapply it afterward.

2. Place fraud alerts when needed

If a full freeze isn't practical, a fraud alert adds a layer of protection by requiring lenders to verify your identity before extending credit. Initial fraud alerts last one year; extended alerts — available to confirmed identity theft victims — last seven years.

3. Check your mail often

Check your mail regularly to quickly catch any suspicious correspondence. The United States Postal Service offers a free service called Informed Delivery that previews up to 10 pieces of incoming mail daily, making it easy to spot anything unexpected.

4. Review your banking and credit card statements

Go over your bank and credit card statements monthly at a minimum and look for any unauthorized charges or transactions you don't recognize. Many banks and card issuers also offer free credit monitoring tools that can alert you to suspicious activity more quickly.

5. Destroy documents containing sensitive information

Shred any documents containing your Social Security number, driver's license number, account numbers, or home address before discarding them. Thieves can piece together fragments of personal information from multiple sources to build a complete picture of your identity.

6. Use strong, unique passwords

Strong passwords are your first line of defense for protecting online accounts. Our password behavior survey found that 84% of internet users practice unsafe password habits, including 50% who reuse the same passwords across multiple accounts — a major vulnerability if any one account is breached. Learn how to create a strong password and consider using a password manager to generate and store unique credentials for every account.

7. Use an identity theft protection service

Identity theft protection services continuously monitor your personal information — including your Social Security number, credit file, bank accounts, and the dark web — and alert you when something suspicious is detected. Many also provide identity restoration specialists and insurance coverage to help you recover if theft does occur.

You can also sign up for a free My Social Security account to monitor activity tied to your Social Security number, and check whether your bank or card issuer offers free credit monitoring as part of your account.

Bottom line

Identity theft is a serious and growing crime. Our analysis of FTC data found that identity theft reports rose 9% in 2024 — the first year-over-year increase since 2021 — with credit card theft accounting for 40% of all reports. Our identity theft survey found that victims lose an average of $3,312, and nearly a quarter are still dealing with the aftermath today.

Protecting your identity means staying vigilant: freeze your credit, review your statements regularly, use strong passwords, and consider an identity theft protection service that monitors for threats around the clock.

Understanding how to prevent identity theft is one side of the equation. Responding quickly when it happens is the other — and the steps above give you a clear path forward if you find yourself a victim.

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