How do I go to identitytheft.gov?

Open your browser and go to IdentityTheft.gov. This is the official FTC website for reporting identity theft. Click "Get Started."

How do I answer the questions about what happened?

The site asks what type of identity theft occurred: unauthorized accounts, misuse of existing accounts, tax fraud, or other types. Select everything that applies.

How do I provide your personal information?

Enter your name, address, Social Security number, and contact information. This is needed to create your Identity Theft Report.

How do I review your personalized recovery plan?

The FTC generates a step-by-step plan with specific actions, pre-written letters, and a timeline. Read through each step carefully.

How do I place a fraud alert or credit freeze?

Follow the plan to contact Equifax (1-800-525-6285), Experian (1-888-397-3742), and TransUnion (1-800-680-7289) to freeze your credit or place a fraud alert.

How do I file a police report?

Contact your local police department to file an identity theft report. Bring your FTC Identity Theft Report and any evidence of the fraud.

How do I follow up and monitor?

Log back into IdentityTheft.gov to track your progress. Check your credit reports at annualcreditreport.com for any new suspicious activity over the next year.

TekSure — Free Tech Help for Beginners & Seniors

If someone has used your personal information to open accounts, make purchases, or file taxes in your name, you are a victim of identity theft. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) runs IdentityTheft.gov — the federal government's one-stop resource for reporting identity theft and creating a personalized recovery plan.

Reporting to the FTC is important for several reasons. First, it creates an official Identity Theft Report that you can use to dispute fraudulent accounts and charges. Second, the FTC generates a step-by-step recovery plan tailored to your specific situation. Third, the report helps law enforcement track identity theft patterns and catch criminals.

Before you start, write down everything you know about the theft: which accounts were affected, when you noticed the problem, any fraudulent charges or accounts you have found, and how you think the thief got your information. You will also need your Social Security number, driver's license number, and contact information.

Go to IdentityTheft.gov and click "Get Started." The site walks you through a series of questions about what happened — did someone open new accounts in your name, use your existing accounts, file taxes using your information, or something else? Based on your answers, the FTC builds a custom recovery plan.

Your recovery plan includes specific letters to send to companies, instructions for placing fraud alerts or credit freezes with the three credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion), steps to dispute fraudulent charges, and a timeline to follow. You can also print your Identity Theft Report to share with creditors and law enforcement.

The FTC also recommends filing a report with your local police department. While police may not investigate individual cases, having a police report on file adds another layer of documentation that creditors may require.

After filing your FTC report, the site tracks your progress and sends you reminders about next steps. You can log back in anytime to update your case or access your recovery plan.