Resolution resources

A fraud alert tells lenders to verify your identity before opening new accounts in your name. You only need to contact one of the three major credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion — and that bureau is required to notify the other two. You may need to provide your Social Security number, date of birth, address, and phone number. The bureaus may offer paid credit monitoring services, but you do not need to purchase anything to place a fraud alert. An initial fraud alert lasts one year and can be renewed. If you’ve been the victim of identity theft, you can request an extended fraud alert that lasts seven years by providing an identity theft report. After placing the alert, review your credit reports for unfamiliar accounts or inquiries. You can access free credit reports at AnnualCreditReport.com.

Contact each credit bureau to dispute any fraudulent accounts or inaccurate information on your credit report. The bureaus will investigate and contact the creditors involved. Most investigations are completed within 30 days. Keep copies of any letters or supporting documents you send.

Notify any banks, lenders, credit card companies, or government agencies where your information may have been used fraudulently. Depending on where you report, you may need to complete fraud affidavits or provide a police report or FTC Identity Theft Report.

Report identity theft to your local police department or another appropriate law enforcement agency. Request a copy of the report for your records; creditors or credit bureaus may ask for it during the recovery process.

Visit IdentityTheft.gov to file a report with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and create a recovery plan. The FTC Identity Theft Report can help support disputes with creditors and credit bureaus and serves as official documentation of the theft. You can also contact the Consumer Response Center by calling 1-877-FTC-HELP (382-4357).