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    Identity Theft Recovery

    Step-by-step. Free. Use this.

    First 24 hours

    1. Go to identitytheft.gov (FTC). Fills out everything for you.
    2. Place fraud alert with credit bureaus (free, online, 1 call).
    3. Call your bank/credit card companies. Cancel cards. Get new ones.
    4. Change passwords on email + financial accounts.
    5. File police report (online or in person).
    6. Keep records — every call, every email.

    First week

    1. Pull all 3 credit reports (annualcreditreport.com — free).
    2. Note unfamiliar accounts. Dispute each.
    3. Place CREDIT FREEZE at all 3 bureaus (free, separate from fraud alert).
    4. Notify Social Security if SSN compromised — 1-800-269-0271.
    5. IRS — get an IP PIN (Identity Protection PIN) free at IRS.gov.
    6. If checks stolen — close checking, open new.
    7. Tell family — they may be targeted next.

    First month

    • Follow up on EVERY dispute in writing (certified mail).
    • Re-check credit reports for new fraud.
    • Watch utility, medical, mortgage statements.
    • Watch for jury duty notices in someone else's name (a sign).
    • Watch your mail — fraudsters often redirect.
    • Save all paperwork in dedicated folder for at least 3 years.

    Free help

    • identitytheft.gov — FTC's recovery plan, customized to your situation.
    • Identity Theft Resource Center — 1-888-400-5530 free help.
    • AARP Fraud Watch Helpline — 1-877-908-3360 free for 50+.
    • Senior Medicare Patrol — Medicare-specific fraud.
    • Local victim advocates — through police department.

    Don't pay LifeLock or similar

    $10-30/mo "identity theft protection" services do mostly what you can do for FREE — credit freeze + monitoring. Skip them. Spend money on credit freeze (free) + IP PIN (free) + identitytheft.gov (free).