Debt and credit · Updated Oct 2026
Someone stole my identity
If someone used your information, report it at IdentityTheft.gov to get an FTC identity theft report and a recovery plan. Freeze your credit at all three bureaus for free, or place a fraud alert. With an identity theft report, the credit bureaus must block the fraudulent information, and companies that get your report generally must stop reporting those debts to the bureaus.
This plan is general legal information, not legal advice. RobinClaim is not a law firm. Laws and deadlines change and have exceptions: check with the official source or a lawyer or legal aid office about your own case.
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Choose your state and answer 2 quick questions. The plan below changes as you answer: steps that don't fit your answers are hidden, and your state's deadlines appear. It all happens in your browser. Nothing is sent, and the page address holds only your answers.
Your plan
Do now
If you answered “Yes” to “Do you know the person and fear for your safety?”
If you are in danger, call 911. For help with abuse by a partner or family member, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233.
Why: Safety comes before paperwork.
Call the fraud department of each company where the thief used your information. Close or freeze those accounts and change passwords and PINs.
Why: Fast reporting stops more charges and can limit what you owe.
Freeze your credit at Equifax, Experian and TransUnion (free), or place a fraud alert with one bureau.
Why: A freeze keeps new creditors from seeing your report, so new accounts are hard to open. A fraud alert tells creditors to verify your identity; one bureau must notify the other two.
If you answered “New accounts or loans opened in my name / Charges on my existing card or bank account / Tax return or government benefits fraud” to “What happened?”
Report it at IdentityTheft.gov and save your FTC identity theft report.
Why: The report is the key document to block fraudulent items and stop collectors.
Nothing extra here for your answers.
This week
Get your credit reports from AnnualCreditReport.com and list every account or inquiry you don't recognize.
Why: You need a full list to dispute and block.
If you answered “New accounts or loans opened in my name” to “What happened?”
Send each bureau a request to block the fraudulent information, with your identity theft report and proof of identity (letter below).
Why: Bureaus must block identity-theft information within 4 business days after receiving these.
If you answered “New accounts or loans opened in my name” to “What happened?”
Write to each company and collector about accounts you didn't open, enclosing your identity theft report.
Why: A company that gets your identity theft report generally may not keep reporting that debt to the credit bureaus.
If you answered “Tax return or government benefits fraud” to “What happened?”
For tax-related identity theft, follow the IRS steps (Form 14039, Identity Theft Affidavit).
Why: The IRS has its own process for fraudulent returns.
Consider filing a police report, especially if you know the thief or a company asks for one.
Why: Some creditors and collectors require it.
Nothing extra here for your answers.
If it's not resolved
Consider an extended fraud alert (7 years) with your FTC identity theft report.
Why: It gives longer protection than the 1-year initial alert.
Check your credit reports every few months for the next year.
Why: Thieves sometimes try again.
If a company or collector keeps reporting or collecting a fraudulent debt, file a CFPB complaint and talk to a consumer lawyer.
Why: You may have claims under the FCRA or FDCPA.
Nothing extra here for your answers.
Deadlines
Bureau must block identity-theft information
General rule: Within 4 business days after it receives your request and identity theft report
Credit freeze placed
General rule: Within 1 business day of an online or phone request; 3 business days by mail
Initial fraud alert lasts
General rule: 1 year (extended alert for identity theft victims: 7 years)
Documents to gather
- FTC identity theft report (from IdentityTheft.gov)
- Police report, if you filed one
- Photo ID and proof of address
- Credit reports with fraudulent items marked
- Letters and statements about the fraudulent accounts
- Notes of every call: date, company, person, what was said
Letters you can send
Fill in the blanks; the letter updates as you type. Copy it, print it or save it as a text file. Nothing you type is sent or saved: it stays on this page until you close it.
Request to block identity-theft information
Ask a credit bureau to block information that resulted from identity theft.
[Today's date] [Bureau name] [Bureau address] Re: Request to block information resulting from identity theft I am a victim of identity theft. The following items in my file are the result of identity theft and were not opened or made by me: [Item list] Under section 605B of the Fair Credit Reporting Act, please block this information. Enclosed are my identity theft report, proof of my identity, and a copy of my report with the items marked. [Your name] Date of birth: [Date of birth] [Your address]
Where to go
- FederalIdentityTheft.gov (FTC)
Report identity theft and get a recovery plan
- FederalAnnualCreditReport.com
Get free reports to find fraudulent accounts
- FederalIRS Identity Protection
Someone filed a tax return in your name
- FederalConsumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) complaint
A collector, lender, bank or credit bureau breaks the rules or won't fix a problem
- FederalLegal aid (Legal Services Corporation finder)
You need free legal help and have low or moderate income
Costs
Credit freezes, fraud alerts, FTC reports and your credit reports are free.
Talk to a lawyer if
- A collector sues you over a debt you didn't create
- A bureau or company refuses to block or remove fraudulent accounts
- The thief is a family member or partner and you need protection
- Someone used your identity in a criminal case
Free help
Free civil legal aid for people with low income: find your local program through the Legal Services Corporation (lsc.gov/about-lsc/what-legal-aid/get-legal-help) or LawHelp.org (lawhelp.org). Many legal aid offices handle debt collection lawsuits, garnishment and bankruptcy. Servicemembers can use their base legal (JAG) office.
Questions
What is the bureau must block identity-theft information?
Within 4 business days after it receives your request and identity theft report
What is the credit freeze placed?
Within 1 business day of an online or phone request; 3 business days by mail
What is the initial fraud alert lasts?
1 year (extended alert for identity theft victims: 7 years)
When should I talk to a lawyer?
A collector sues you over a debt you didn't create; A bureau or company refuses to block or remove fraudulent accounts; The thief is a family member or partner and you need protection; Someone used your identity in a criminal case.
How much does it cost?
Credit freezes, fraud alerts, FTC reports and your credit reports are free.
Plans by state
This plan is the same in every state. Each state's RobinClaim page lists its courts, agencies and deadlines:
Sources
- FTC: IdentityTheft.gov
- 15 U.S.C. § 1681c-1 (fraud alerts and credit freezes)
- 15 U.S.C. § 1681c-2 (blocking identity-theft information)
- CFPB: What is a credit freeze or security freeze?
- CFPB: Fraud and scams
- AnnualCreditReport.com (free reports authorized by federal law)
- CFPB: Submit a complaint
- 15 U.S.C. § 1681s-2 (furnishers and identity theft reports)
- IRS Form 14039, Identity Theft Affidavit
Plan checked Oct 2026. Independently fact-checked 2026-10-24.
This plan is general legal information, not legal advice. RobinClaim is not a law firm. Laws and deadlines change and have exceptions: check with the official source or a lawyer or legal aid office about your own case. How we research.