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How to Report Identity Theft

If you’re a victim of identity theft, the path to recovery can be complicated and lengthy. The steps you’ll take will vary depending on your situation. Here’s how to determine if you should file a police report, along with how to navigate the process of filing a police report for identity theft.

How to Report Identity Theft

Once you’ve realized you’re a victim of identity theft, it’s important to make certain reports that formally document the crime and can help you stop or reverse the damage. Here are two types of reports you might want or need to complete.

How to Report Identity Theft to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)

Filing an identity theft report with the FTC won’t directly help solve the crime. This government agency doesn’t have criminal jurisdiction, but when you report the theft to them, law enforcement agencies can use the information in their investigations.

When trying to correct issues with businesses, your FTC report can also prove you were an identity theft victim and guarantee you certain rights. Additionally, reporting identity theft to the FTC generates a personal recovery plan and walks you through the process of addressing identity theft. This is especially valuable if you’re feeling overwhelmed and want to be walked through steps to recovery.

Here’s how to file your FTC report:

• Visit IdentityTheft.gov, the FTC’s reporting portal, and click the “get started” button (alternatively, call 877-438-4338).
• Answer a series of questions about your identity theft incident, including as many details as possible.
• Receive an identity theft report and recovery plan. If you don’t create an account, print and save these two documents since you won’t have access to them again.
• Work on recovery steps. If you make an account, the FTC portal will walk you through your recovery steps, track progress and prefill forms and letters as you knock out tasks.

How to Report Identity Theft to the Police

It’s not always necessary to report identity theft to the police, but in some cases, it can be helpful. For example, if the criminal racked up fraudulent debts in your name with a specific company, that business may require a police report to clear you from responsibility. Follow the steps below:

• Compile documents to show law enforcement, including a copy of your FTC report, a valid government-issued ID with a photo, proof of address (a bill, credit card statement or similar) and any evidence of the identity theft.
• Bring these documents to your local police station (some jurisdictions may allow you to report it by phone or on their website). State that your identity has been stolen and you want to file a police report.
• Request a copy of the report since you may need it as you continue the recovery process.

Should You File a Police Report for Identity Theft?

There are many different forms of fraud and identity theft, and some warrant a police report more than others. Local law enforcement may be limited when investigating an internet crime or large data breach, and a police report may not be required for certain identity-related crimes.

While not always required, filing a police report can potentially help the authorities catch and stop the person or group committing the crimes. Additionally, some creditors or companies may require you to obtain a police report in order to help you fix the damage.

You should file a police report in the following situations:

• You know who committed the identity theft.
• You can provide specific information or evidence that might assist law enforcement.
• Your identity was used fraudulently in an encounter with the police.
• A financial institution, creditor or other entity requires a police report for their investigation.

What Happens When You File a Police Report for Identity Theft?

After you make a report, it’s possible your local law enforcement agency will investigate your case. They might pursue and prosecute the thief, bringing them to justice.

However, this isn’t always the case. Identity theft can create a jurisdictional headache if the fraudster committed crimes in different places, and you might be asked to file reports with multiple departments. Plus, some police departments may not have the interest or bandwidth to take action and pursue an investigation after a report is filed.

That said, the costs of identity theft can be steep, and filing a police report can still significantly assist you in clearing up the mess. It functions as a sworn statement that the crime occurred, so it can help you dispute fraudulent charges, accounts or debts. A police report can also prove your innocence if crimes are committed in your name.

More Steps to Take if Your Identity Is Stolen

If you believe you’re a victim of identity theft, it’s also smart to follow these steps:

• Call the impacted businesses. If you know how your information was used, call the relevant financial institutions or companies and ask for the fraud department. Inform them that your identity was stolen and ask that any accounts be closed or frozen.
• Check your credit report. Review your credit report to look for any new accounts or transactions you don’t recognize. You can check your credit reports for free with all three bureaus at AnnualCreditReport.com.
• Place a fraud alert on your credit reports. You have the right to place a free one-year fraud alert on your credit report so others cannot open a credit account in your name. Fraud alerts require creditors to take extra steps to verify your identity. Once you place a fraud alert with one of the three national consumer credit bureaus (Experian, TransUnion or Equifax), the other two will be notified and will also add a fraud alert to their reports. If you filed a police report for the fraud, the credit bureaus can place an extended fraud victim alert on your credit report for seven years.
• Freeze your credit. You also have the right to request a credit freeze, also known as a security freeze, which you’ll have to lift if you want to apply for credit. You must place and lift credit freezes with each bureau separately.
• Report it to the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3). The FBI runs this hub for reporting cyber crime. If your identity theft was a cyber-related crime, you can report it at ic3.gov. The FBI’s IC3 doesn’t conduct investigations, but it analyzes reported complaints and shares them with other law enforcement and regulatory agencies. This can help law enforcement bring cybercriminals to justice and assist the government in understanding the latest crimes and taking action to address them.

The Bottom Line

Filing reports with the FTC and the police doesn’t guarantee the identity thieves will be caught, but it can go a long way toward helping you stop or reverse the damage the crime caused. Filing an FTC report can provide a recovery plan, while a police report may be required by businesses defrauded by the crime. Both are positive steps to reclaiming your identity and cleaning up the mess identity theft can cause. Consider an identity theft protection service going forward to help monitor your identity and potentially avoid future incidents.

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