Victim of identity theft, ID Theft

ID Theft

Take steps to respond to and recover from identity theft as soon as you suspect it.

What are the steps I should take if I'm a victim of identity theft?

What is a fraud alert?

What is a credit freeze?

What is an identity theft report?

What do I do if the police only take reports about identity theft over the Internet or telephone?

What do I do if the local police won't take a report?

How do I prove that I'm an identity theft victim?

Should I apply for a new Social Security number?

What are the steps I should take if I'm a victim of identity theft?

If you are a victim of identity theft, take the following four steps as soon as possible, and keep a record with the details of your conversations and copies of all correspondence.

Information you need to know

Know Your Rights

Cut Up Your Credit Cards

For More Information

Hot Links

Use Our Materials In Your Community

The President's Identity Theft Task Force

File a Complaint with the FTC

2006 Identity Theft Survey Report

Test Your Knowledge about Identity Theft – Take the OnGuard Online Quiz

Key Publications

To Buy or Not To Buy: Identity Theft Spawns New Products and Services To Help Minimize Risk (PDF 229KB)

Take Charge: Fighting Back Against Identity Theft
(PDF 4.9MB)

Information Compromise and the Risk of Identity Theft: Guidance for Your Business
(PDF 152KB)

Protecting Personal Information: A Guide for Business (PDF 3.47MB)