Your Identity Recovery Plan

Step-by-step guide to recovering from identity theft and restoring your identity.

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Immediate Actions (First 24 Hours)

1

Place Fraud Alert

Call one credit bureau (they notify others). Free, lasts 1 year. Makes creditors verify identity before opening accounts.

Equifax: 1-800-525-6285 | Experian: 1-888-397-3742 | TransUnion: 1-800-680-7289

2

Order Credit Reports

Free at AnnualCreditReport.com. Review all three bureaus. Identify fraudulent accounts.

3

Report to FTC

IdentityTheft.gov creates recovery plan and affidavit. Official record of theft. Needed for creditors.

4

File Police Report

Local law enforcement. Bring FTC affidavit and proof of identity. Get case number for creditors.

Week 1: Contain the Damage

  • Close Compromised Accounts: Banks, credit cards affected. Open new accounts with new numbers
  • Change Passwords: All online accounts, especially email and financial. Use password manager
  • Enable 2FA: Everywhere possible. Use authenticator app, not SMS
  • Contact Creditors: Companies with fraudulent accounts. Provide FTC report and police report
  • Notify Banks: Current accounts even if not compromised. They can monitor for suspicious activity

Month 1: Dispute Fraudulent Items

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Dispute with Credit Bureaus

Write to each bureau. Identify fraudulent accounts/charges. Include FTC and police reports. They must investigate within 30 days.

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Dispute with Creditors

Send certified letters to companies with fraudulent accounts. Demand closure and removal from credit report.

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Document Everything

Keep copies of all letters, reports, correspondence. Note dates, people spoken with, actions taken.

Ongoing Recovery

  • Credit Freeze: Freeze at all three bureaus. Free and most effective protection
  • Review Credit Reports: Check every 4 months (free annually from each bureau)
  • Monitor Accounts: Check bank and credit card statements weekly
  • Replace Documents: New driver's license, SSN card if compromised
  • IRS Identity Protection PIN: Apply at irs.gov/ippin if tax fraud victim

Special Situations

Tax Identity Theft

File IRS Form 14039. Complete paper return. Expect delays in refund. May take 6-12 months.

Medical Identity Theft

Request medical records. Dispute incorrect information. Contact insurance company's fraud department.

Criminal Identity Theft

Contact arresting agency. Provide identity documents. Get court clearance. May need lawyer.

Recovery Timeline

  • Credit Report Corrections: 30-90 days per dispute
  • Account Closures: 1-2 weeks typically
  • Credit Score Recovery: 6-12 months if addressed quickly
  • Complete Resolution: Average 200 hours over 6 months
  • Severe Cases: Can take years for full recovery

Resources

  • IdentityTheft.gov: FTC's recovery site with step-by-step plan
  • AnnualCreditReport.com: Official site for free credit reports
  • IRS Identity Protection: 1-800-908-4490
  • Social Security Fraud: 1-800-269-0271