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Let’s say you learn that an identity thief took out credit in your name, pretending to be you. To straighten it out, you might want to get records about the identity theft from the company where it happened. The law gives you that right — in fact, it’s Section 609(e) of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).

Having details about the theft and the thief may help you show, for example, that the thief borrowed money, not you. It also may help you or law enforcement identify the thief. You or law enforcement might need, for example, the identity thief’s bank account number or their contact information to document the crime or clear your name.

To get information related to your identity theft, send your request in writing to the company where the fraud took place. They have 30 days to give you those records, free of charge. Along with your request, send these three things: 

  1. Proof of your identity, like a copy of your driver’s license or other valid form of identification
  2. A completed FTC Identity Theft Report from IdentityTheft.gov.
  3. A police report about the identity theft from your local police department. When you file the police report, bring your ID, the FTC Identity Theft Report, and any information you have about the incident with you.

IdentityTheft.gov has more resources to help you recover from identity theft, including a sample letter to use as you take steps to fix problems the theft may have caused. If you have problems getting the records from banks and lenders, let the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) know. 

If you own a business, read Businesses Must Provide Victims and Law Enforcement with Transaction Records Relating to Identity Theft for more information about complying with the law.

Topics
Identity Theft

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The purpose of this blog and its comments section is to inform readers about Federal Trade Commission activity, and share information to help them avoid, report, and recover from fraud, scams, and bad business practices. Your thoughts, ideas, and concerns are welcome, and we encourage comments. But keep in mind, this is a moderated blog. We review all comments before they are posted, and we won’t post comments that don’t comply with our commenting policy. We expect commenters to treat each other and the blog writers with respect.

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Katherine Carleton
April 14, 2022

This page should be in a printable format.

FTC Staff
April 22, 2022

In reply to by Katherine Carleton

The page will print out with the title and date of the blog. Enter a print command on your keyboard and it will print out on the printer that's connected to your computer.

Rosalio P Amaya
May 05, 2022

I don't know how to do this my credit dropped 11 points I don't know why then I checked credit wise it shows it is in the dark Wed I didn't know what it is and I asked how I could get it out and stop it from being used

Pokey
April 14, 2022

ITs really a good feeling to know there are resources to help if this happens. I was unfortunate enough to be part of the Experian hack and its very nerve racking.
Hopefully when someone forgets which agency to contact that you will be available to direct us to the right place.

Jennifer Brooks
April 15, 2022

I have been getting emails saying I purchased something and if I wish to cancel call a number I refuse to call because I know what I purchase one was from geek squad and the other on was from pay pal which I don't have

EdeliaRobinson
February 24, 2023

In reply to by Jennifer Brooks

I get the same kind of emails. But what start to do is I don’t answer and I block the sender from sending anymore emails to me.
Or if is on a text I block the number.

HGC
April 25, 2022

Do you also have resources to help the ivictim of equity theft?

Edna B. Gordon
April 15, 2022

All great information to know! Thank you for getting it out online. We are never too old to learn something new!

P.S. Beware of cleaning people who are practicing your signature! It happens! Keep your personal records and checkbook hidden. Make certain all numbered checks are intact.

Anonymous
April 25, 2022

Are the adults in household responsible for identity theft as well?

Edwin Hansen
May 03, 2023

What a joke...CA Senator D. Feinstein set this system up in favor of the Banks so don't believe your lying government! The CFPB and OCC after several repeated complaints has no law enforcement authority to require Citibank, Discover, Bank of America, Citizens, Chase and Capitol One to provide information to the ID Theft Victim who has followed all the FTC Rules regardinng ID Theft, reporting the crime to law enforcement, the IRS and CA State Attorney General. After repeated letters, authorizations to release information directly to law enforcement and to the IRS. As these banks sit back and laugh as they are "to big to fail" whereas always refusing to acknowledge the crime in writing, the law enforcement agency or every recieving the FTC ID Theft Report.
The Victim's CA Constitutional Rights are ignored. Without the banks releasing their information to law enforcement the District Attorney cannot proscute. As it stands to reason that less than 5% NATIONWIDE of ID Theft cases are ever prosecuted. The ID Theft Victim cannot file a Civil Tort against the perpetrator as not having the evidence needed based on the lessor perponderance of the evidence to prove their case. The banks are violating CA criminal law, PC 32 Accessory to a crime by actively witholding evidence in the investigation of a crime and no government agency cares. The violation for not providing information to the Victim is $2,000 dollars. I would like to see 30,000 thousand dollars as a penalty for each month exceeding thirty days in which Banks are required to provide voice prints, ID addresses, cell phone numbers as identifers of the initial applicant of the credit card.
If you don't belive me of what I am saying...contact your credit card company and ask for your copy of original credit card application. You will find that all of these Banks mention will refuse and give excuses as not having any written contract or electronic signature as their policy will not allow such information to be shared. The Banks rely on the open book account laws to protect them and their finiancial interest including selling off the debt and then reselling it again and again.

Amos Walker
July 10, 2023

In reply to by Edwin Hansen

You are exactly right unfortunately. I’ve spent countless hours since February trying to get evidence and documentation. Little to nothing to show for my relentless efforts. Excuses is what I’ve vested my time towards meanwhile the person that stole my identity (which I know who) is setting back like a fat cat living on easy street with my life’s savings and everything else I own

Ned Fleischer
April 14, 2023

Dear ftc.gov owner, Your posts are always well-delivered and engaging.

Nikki kindelberger
March 21, 2023

I reported identity theft and we got the guy but he stole all my data I know where it is the virzon cloud and Google one cloud...I'm trying to get my life back I wanna exsist in the real world I have a new phone provider and Gmail account that hast been hacked..

Beatriz Cervantes
April 25, 2023

How do I know who was using my ssn

Sav
October 27, 2023

What if the identity theft was years ago and you don’t know what company’s it was done through, you only know the person? I haven’t spoken with my biological mother in over 10 years and I’m 26 now, but my credit is ridiculously low and my dad told me she took out credit cards and loans in my name when I was a baby and I don’t know how to even find any of the information that I’d need for proof. I have no idea what banks or lenders she went through and I don’t know how to find them. I just know she screwed up my credit.

FTC Staff
October 27, 2023

In reply to by Sav

The federal government website www.IdentityTheft.gov tells what to do if your identity was stolen. Go to www.IdentityTheft.gov/#/Steps to see steps to take.

The site says to put a fraud alert on your credit reports and then get your credit reports from the three national credit agencies. Check your credit reports to see if there are accounts you didn't open, or other mistakes on the report. Contact the credit reporting agencies to fix mistakes.

Shenike Johnson
November 06, 2023

Person who stole my identity after my soon to be ex husband lied and said he burnt my birth certificate and my power of attorney land document once I find out who it is I'll see you in court

jack bull
November 29, 2023

i would like to say that this female name emaily gonzalez stole my phone, my life!!!! and my name

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