Identity theft on your credit report: first steps

Accounts you do not recognize? Here is what to do first, in order, and how to get fraudulent accounts blocked.

1. Report it to the FTC

Go to IdentityTheft.gov to report the theft and get a personal recovery plan. Your FTC Identity Theft Report is the key document for the next steps.

2. Place a fraud alert or a freeze

A fraud alert is free, lasts one year, and tells lenders to verify your identity before opening credit. Contact one bureau and it notifies the other two. A credit freeze is also free and blocks most new credit until you lift it; you must place it at each bureau.

3. Ask the bureaus to block the fraud

Under section 605B of the Fair Credit Reporting Act, a bureau must block information that resulted from identity theft within 4 business days after you send proof of identity, a copy of your identity theft report, the items to block, and a statement that they are not yours.

4. Contact the companies

Tell each company where an account was opened that it is fraud, ask them to close it, and keep copies of everything you send and receive.