How to Report Identity Theft to the FTC

Despite advancements in technology and cybersecurity, identity theft continues to be a major problem for Americans. Remedying incidents of identity theft can be costly and time consuming, so you want to move quickly once you learn of the crime. One of the steps you should take if you become the victim of identity theft is to report it to the FTC at their designated website IdentityTheft.gov.

This client guide will walk you through the steps to report fraud to the FTC. You can follow along with the step-by-step instructions here, or consult our on-demand webinar, "Reporting Identity Theft to the FTC."

How to Report Fraud to the FTC

Here are the step-by-step instruction on reporting fraud to the FTC. Before you get started, it's important to collect as much information about the crime as possible. Be sure to also place a credit freeze and fraud alert on your accounts as well. If you’ve been a victim of ID Theft, it’s a good idea to enact an extended fraud alert beyond the one year option.The FTC will not be able to act immediately, and performing these tasks will help protect yourself.

After Filling Out the Identity Theft Report

Here are some important items to note once you are done filing your report with the FTC:

• You will be given a recovery plan specific to your situation that will outline what you need to do to help recover your stolen identity, as well as offer tips to prevent future identity theft. The FTC will walk you through each step to recover your identity, update your plan as needed and track your progress.
• Create an Identity Theft Report Account. By creating an account, you’ll be able to easily include any other forms of identity theft you may discover and allow you to create pre-filled letters you can send to creditors and other entities you need to tell about identity theft. The account will be open for 30 days, or whenever you stop using it.