How to Recover From Identity Theft

Step-by-step guide to restore your credit and finances after identity theft, from fraud alerts to credit monitoring.

  1. Place fraud alerts and freeze your credit immediately. Contact one of the three credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion) to place a fraud alert — they'll notify the other two automatically. Then freeze your credit at all three bureaus, which blocks new accounts from being opened. Fraud alerts last 1 year and make lenders verify your identity; freezes are permanent until you lift them.
  2. Document everything and file reports. File a report with the Federal Trade Commission at IdentityTheft.gov to create your recovery plan and get an Identity Theft Report. File a police report in your local jurisdiction. Keep copies of everything — you'll need these documents to dispute fraudulent accounts and charges.
  3. Get your credit reports and identify fraudulent accounts. Request free credit reports from all three bureaus at AnnualCreditReport.com (you can get extra free reports as an identity theft victim). Review every line item and highlight accounts, inquiries, or personal information you don't recognize. Take screenshots or print copies before anything changes.
  4. Dispute fraudulent items systematically. Contact each credit bureau in writing to dispute fraudulent accounts, using your Identity Theft Report as supporting documentation. Also contact the companies where fraudulent accounts were opened directly. Send disputes via certified mail and keep copies — bureaus have 30 days to investigate.
  5. Close compromised accounts and change credentials. Close bank accounts, credit cards, and other financial accounts that were compromised or accessed fraudulently. Open new accounts with different numbers at the same or different institutions. Change passwords, PINs, and security questions on all remaining accounts.
  6. Monitor and follow up for 6-12 months. Check your credit reports every 30-60 days to ensure fraudulent items stay removed and no new unauthorized accounts appear. Keep your credit frozen except when you need to apply for credit yourself. Most identity theft recovery takes 3-6 months of active work, but monitoring should continue longer.