Create an Identity Theft Report

An Identity Theft Report gives you some important rights that can help you recover from the theft. To create one, file a complaint with the FTC and print your Identity Theft Affidavit. Use that to file a police report and create your Identity Theft Report.

Why Create an Identity Theft Report

An Identity Theft Report will help you deal with credit reporting companies, debt collectors, and businesses that gave the identity thief credit or opened new accounts in your name. You can use the Report to:

How to Create an Identity Theft Report

  1. Submit a report about the theft to the FTC. When you finish writing all the details, print a copy of the report. It will be called an Identity Theft Affidavit.
  2. Bring your FTC Identity Theft Affidavit when you file a police report.
  3. File a police report about the identity theft, and get a copy of the police report or the report number. Your FTC Identity Theft Affidavit and your police report make an Identity Theft Report.

Some companies want more information than the Identity Theft Report includes, or want different information. The information you need to provide depends on the policies of the credit reporting company and the business that sent the information about you to the credit reporting company. These steps should help stop the immediate damage of identity theft. Then you can take the next steps to clean up problems caused by the thief.

image of identity theft report

Report Identity Theft to the FTC and Print an FTC Identity Theft Affidavit

Online

  1. Complete the FTC’s online complaint form.
    1. Complete the complaint form with as many details as you know.
    2. Review the form and click “submit.”
    3. Save the complaint reference number that appears after you submit your information.
      You’ll need your complaint reference number to update your complaint online or by phone.
  2. Save or print your FTC Identity Theft Affidavit.
    1. Click on the words “Click here to get your completed FTC Identity Theft Affidavit.”
      Before you leave that screen, be sure you saved or printed your Affidavit. You cannot save or print it after you leave this screen.

OR by Phone

  1. Call the FTC.
    1-877-438-4338
    1-866-653-4261 (TTY)
    1. Tell the representative what happened.
    2. Ask for your complaint reference number and Affidavit password.
      The FTC representative will email you a link so you can get your Affidavit.
  2. Save or print your FTC Identity Theft Affidavit.
    1. Go to the link the representative sent you.
    2. Enter your complaint reference number, Affidavit password, and your email address.
    3. Print or save your Identity Theft Affidavit.

Then

  1. Update your files.
    1. Record the dates you filed your complaint.
    2. Keep copies of your Affidavit in your files.
  2. If necessary, call the FTC to update your complaint.
    1-877-438-4338
    1-866-653-4261 (TTY)
    Be ready to provide your complaint reference number.

How to File a Police Report

  1. Go to your local police department or the police department where the theft occurred.  Bring:
    • a copy of your FTC Identity Theft Affidavit
    • any other proof of the theft
    • a government-issued ID with a photo
    • proof of your address (rental agreement, pay stub or utilities bill)
    • FTC's Memo to Law Enforcement [PDF]
  2. Complete a report about the theft.
    In some states, police must take your report. Visit naag.org to see what your state law requires.
    If the police won’t take a report about the identity theft, ask if you can file a “miscellaneous incidents” report, or go to a different police station, or the sheriff’s department, state police or federal authority.
  3. Ask to have a copy, or the number, of the report.
  • Update your files.
    1. Record the dates you made calls or visits.
    2. Record your police report number.
    3. Keep a copy of your police report in your files.

Create Your Identity Theft Report

  1. Attach your FTC Identity Theft Affidavit to your police report.
    1. Keep a complete copy in your files.

 

This article is part of a series: Immediate Steps to Repair Identity Theft
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Tagged with: account, debt, identity theft, Identity Theft Report
August 2012