Help Center · Identity theft
Someone opened an account in my name
Move in this order: stop the bleeding, make the record, then clean up. Every step is free.
In this order
- Call that company's fraud department. Tell them the account is fraudulent. Ask them to close it, mark it as fraud, and send you written confirmation. You are not responsible for a fraudster's charges.
- Freeze your credit at Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion, if you have not already. This stops the next account.
- File at identitytheft.gov. The FTC report is the official record — banks and bureaus take you far more seriously with it. It also generates the dispute letters for you.
- Add a fraud alert (call any one bureau; they must tell the other two) so lenders double-check identity for a year.
- Check your credit reports at annualcreditreport.com — the only official free site — and dispute anything you do not recognize, in writing, citing your FTC report.
A police report?
Usually optional, but get one if you know who did it, if money was taken, or if a company demands it. Bring your FTC report with you.
Not sure how exposed you are? Our free check shows which leaks your email is in — about one second, and you keep the answer. And if you are in the middle of something right now, a person answers at contact@protectindiana.org.