Guide
Overview
Identity theft made up 18 percent of the reports to the FTC's Consumer Sentinel Network in 2024, one of its three largest categories. Almost every "protection plan" you see advertised is selling you something the federal government already gives you for free. Credit freezes, fraud reports, recovery plans, IRS PINs are all free, all official, all linked below.
If your identity has been stolen, or you think it's about to be, this page tells you what to do, in what order, and which government number to call. No upsells. No "premium" tier. Just the agencies that actually have the power to fix it.
Guide
Report Identity Theft: FTC & Federal Resources
Start at IdentityTheft.gov. It is the FTC's official recovery site, and it does three things no paid service can do better. It builds you a personalized recovery plan based on what was actually stolen. It pre-fills the dispute letters you will need to send to creditors. And it generates an FTC Identity Theft Report, the document that banks, the IRS, and the police will ask for. Free, no login wall, no signup pitch.
- IdentityTheft.gov, Official FTC Recovery PortalReport identity theft and get a step-by-step personalized recovery plan
- FTC ReportFraud.govReport scams; Consumer Sentinel shares reports with law enforcement
- FTC, Identity Theft Consumer GuidanceOfficial FTC consumer guidance on all types of identity theft
- FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)Report internet-based fraud including phishing, ransomware, and financial scams
- USA.gov, Identity Theft ResourcesGovernment-wide portal for reporting and recovering from identity theft
Guide
Tax Fraud & Government Benefit Fraud
Tax-related identity theft is when someone files a return with your Social Security number and pockets your refund before you file your real one. The fix is an IRS Identity Protection PIN. It is a six-digit number only you and the IRS know, required on every return filed under your SSN. Anyone can sign up. You don't have to be a victim first. If you've ever wondered whether to bother, the answer is yes, and it takes about ten minutes.
- IRS Identity Theft CentralReport tax identity theft, get an IP PIN, and check your tax account
- IRS Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN)Free 6-digit PIN that prevents fraudulent returns filed with your SSN
- Social Security Administration, OIG Fraud ReportingReport Social Security number misuse and benefit fraud
- HHS Office of Inspector General, Report Healthcare FraudReport Medicare, Medicaid, and federal healthcare program fraud
- Medicare.gov, Report Medicare FraudSpecific reporting line for Medicare-related identity theft and billing fraud
Guide
Credit Freeze & Fraud Alerts
A credit freeze is the strongest free tool you have. It blocks any new lender from pulling your credit file, which means a fraudster cannot open a new account in your name even if they have your SSN. Federal law made it free at all three bureaus in 2018. A fraud alert is the lighter version. It does not block applications. It just forces lenders to verify identity before approving. Use a freeze if you're not actively applying for credit. Use an alert if you are.
- FTC, Credit Freezes vs. Fraud Alerts ExplainedOfficial FTC guide explaining the difference and how to use each
- USAGov: How to place or lift a security freezeFree freezes at Equifax, Experian and TransUnion, and how long they take.
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: What is a credit freezeHow a free security freeze differs from paid credit locks.
Guide
State Attorney General Fraud Resources
When the fraud is local or the company is small, your state attorney general or state consumer protection office is the place to complain. These offices take complaints against businesses and investigate scams and fraud in their state. USA.gov lists the office for each state.
Guide
Search by State
Select your state to find state-specific public records resources.
Straight answers
Questions about fraud and identity theft
What is the first thing I should do if my identity is stolen?
Go to IdentityTheft.gov. It asks what happened, builds a personal recovery plan, and fills in the forms and letters for you. Then place a security freeze with Equifax, Experian and TransUnion, online or by phone. A freeze is free by law and stops new credit accounts being opened in your name.
What is an IP PIN from the IRS and should I get one?
An IP PIN is a six digit number known only to you and the IRS. It stops someone else from filing a tax return with your Social Security number or ITIN: an e-filed return with a missing or wrong IP PIN is rejected, and a paper return is held until it can be verified. Anyone with an SSN or ITIN who can verify their identity can get one, without being a victim first. A new IP PIN is issued each year.
How long does it take to recover from identity theft?
It depends on what was stolen. A single misused card can be fixed in days, while cases that touch criminal records, government benefits, or multiple stolen accounts can run for years. The single biggest accelerator is good documentation early. That means the FTC report, the police report, and a written log of every call you make. People who keep that log finish faster than people who do not.
Is a credit freeze the same as a credit lock?
No. A security freeze is a right under federal law: it is free and stops new creditors from seeing your credit file. Credit locks are a product the credit bureaus offer, often for a fee and bundled with other paid services, and the CFPB says they are no more effective than a free freeze.
Can I report fraud anonymously?
At the FTC, yes: ReportFraud.ftc.gov lets you file without your name, and how much you share is up to you. The FBI's IC3 complaint form asks for the victim's name, address, phone and email. An anonymous report cannot be followed up, and a recovery plan at IdentityTheft.gov needs your own details.
Should I pay for an identity theft protection service?
Usually there is no need. These services mostly sell credit monitoring, dark web scanning and insurance. You can watch your own credit for free with weekly reports from all three bureaus at AnnualCreditReport.com, a security freeze is free by law and does more to stop new accounts, and IdentityTheft.gov gives a free recovery plan. The bureaus' credit locks are often paid add ons that the CFPB says are no more effective than a freeze.