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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?

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..

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