Identity Theft: Prevention & Recovery

Identity theft is when someone uses your personal information, like your Social Security number, bank account or name, to open accounts, file taxes, get jobs or medical care, or commit crimes. It can take months to untangle, but fast action limits the damage.

• Everyone
• Workers

How thieves get your information

• Data breaches at companies that hold your information
• Phishing emails, texts and calls. See Phishing
• Fake job applications and offers. See Job Scams
• Stolen mail, wallets and phones
• Public social media posts with birthdays, addresses and family names
• Card skimmers at gas pumps and ATMs

Warning signs

• Bills, collection calls or accounts you don’t recognize
• Charges you didn’t make
• Your tax return is rejected because one was already filed in your name
• IRS notices about wages from an employer you never worked for
• Missing mail or statements
• Being denied credit unexpectedly
• Medical bills for care you didn’t get

Prevention

• Freeze your credit at Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. It’s free and the strongest protection against new accounts in your name. See Freezing Your Credit.
• Get an IRS Identity Protection PIN to block fake tax returns.
• Check your credit reports for free at AnnualCreditReport.com.
• Use unique passwords and two-factor authentication.
• Shred documents with personal information.
• Give your SSN only when it’s truly needed, and ask why.
• Turn on account alerts for your bank and cards.

Recovery steps

1. Go to IdentityTheft.gov (from the FTC). Report what happened and get a personal recovery plan and an FTC Identity Theft Report.
2. Call the fraud departments of companies where accounts were opened or misused. Close fraudulent accounts.
3. Place a fraud alert or freeze with the credit bureaus.
4. Change passwords and PINs, starting with email and banking.
5. Report to local police if needed (some creditors ask for a police report).
6. For tax-related identity theft, follow the IRS instructions, including the identity theft affidavit.
7. Keep notes of every call, letter and date.

Last updated: October 1, 2026