If someone has stolen your identity, filing a police report is one of the most important steps you can take. It creates an official record of the crime, one that banks, credit bureaus, the IRS, and other institutions can require before they will help you fix the damage.
Quick answer: To file a police report for identity theft, go to your local police department in person with your government-issued ID, proof of address, a copy of your FTC Identity Theft Report from IdentityTheft.gov, and any evidence of the fraud. Ask to file an identity theft report and request a copy with a case number. You will need this number when disputing accounts with banks and credit bureaus.
This guide walks you through exactly how to file, what to bring, and what to do with the report once you have it. It also covers what most guides miss: the difference between a police report and an FTC Identity Theft Report, how to file online if your local department allows it, and what to do if the police will not take your report.
Police report vs FTC Identity Theft Report: which do you need?
This is the single most confusing part of identity theft recovery, so it is worth addressing before anything else.
The FTC Identity Theft Report and a police report are two different documents that serve different purposes. Most victims need both.
The FTC Identity Theft Report is filed at IdentityTheft.gov, is free, and takes 10 to 15 minutes online. It is legally required by creditors before they must investigate fraud. It creates your personalised recovery plan and is available to anyone at any time. File this first: you will need it when you go to the police.
The police report is filed at your local police station (or sometimes online). It is required by some creditors, employers, and courts for disputes. It creates an official criminal record of the theft. Some departments may decline if there is no local suspect. File this second, and bring your FTC report with you.
Bottom line: File the FTC Identity Theft Report first at IdentityTheft.gov. Then bring that report with you when you go to the police. Many creditors and credit bureaus require the FTC report; some also require the police report for higher-value fraud claims.
What to do right away: the first 24 to 48 hours
Before you get to the police station, take these immediate steps. They protect you from further damage and build the evidence file you will need.
Step 1: Call the companies where fraud occurred
Call the fraud department of every financial institution or company where you know fraud occurred. Explain that someone stole your identity. Ask them to close or freeze the affected accounts immediately, flag the accounts so no new charges can be added without your approval, and change all logins, passwords, and PINs on your accounts.
Keep a log of every call: the date, the company, the person you spoke with, and what they agreed to do. You may need to contact these companies again once you have your FTC Identity Theft Report.
Step 2: Place a free fraud alert on your credit
Contact any one of the three major credit bureaus. They are legally required to notify the other two. A fraud alert is free and makes it harder for a thief to open new accounts in your name, because businesses must verify your identity before issuing new credit.
Experian: 1-888-397-3742
TransUnion: 1-888-909-8872
Equifax: 1-800-685-1111
An initial fraud alert lasts one year and can be renewed. Once you have your police report, you can upgrade to a seven-year extended fraud alert (see below).
Step 3: Get your free credit reports
Go to AnnualCreditReport.com or call 1-877-322-8228. You can now check your reports from all three bureaus for free every week. Review each report carefully and note every account or transaction you do not recognise. This documentation will help when you report to the FTC and the police.
Step 4: File your FTC Identity Theft Report - do this before going to the police
Go to IdentityTheft.gov and complete the online form, or call 1-877-438-4338. Include as much detail as possible about what happened. The FTC will generate your official Identity Theft Report, create a personalised step-by-step recovery plan, and pre-fill dispute letters and forms for you (if you create a free account).
Print or save your FTC Identity Theft Report immediately. If you do not create an account, you will not be able to access it again once you leave the page. You will need to bring a printed copy to the police station.
Filing the FTC report first matters for two reasons: it legally obligates creditors to investigate and fix the fraud, and it gives the police officer context and documentation for your case, making it far less likely they will decline to take the report.
How to file a police report for identity theft: step-by-step
Option A: File in person at your local police department
This is the most reliable method and the one most departments require for identity theft cases.
What to bring:
A government-issued photo ID (driver's licence or passport)
Proof of your address (a mortgage statement, lease agreement, or utility bill)
A printed copy of your FTC Identity Theft Report from IdentityTheft.gov
Any evidence of the fraud: fraudulent account statements, collection letters, IRS notices, credit card statements showing charges you did not make
A list of affected accounts with account numbers, dates of fraudulent activity, and the amounts involved
What to say:
When you arrive, tell the officer or front desk that you need to file an identity theft report. Use those exact words. You may need to ask specifically for an "identity theft report" rather than a general "fraud complaint." The distinction matters for how the report is categorised and what rights it gives you.
Be clear and specific: explain when you first noticed the fraud, which accounts were affected, what transactions or accounts were opened in your name, and any other details you have about how it may have happened.
What you should leave with:
A copy of the completed police report
The case or report number (this is what banks and credit bureaus will ask for)
The name and badge number of the officer who took your report
If the officer says they cannot take the report because there is no local suspect, ask to file a "miscellaneous incident report" instead. Some departments use different terminology. You can also contact your state attorney general's office if a local department refuses to file the report at all.
Option B: File online
Many police departments now offer online identity theft reporting, which is particularly useful if the fraud occurred in another jurisdiction or if you cannot easily travel in person.
To find out if your department accepts online reports: search "[your city or county] police department online identity theft report," go to your local department's website and look under "online services" or "report a crime," or call the non-emergency line and ask specifically whether identity theft can be reported online.
For crimes that crossed state lines or involved online fraud, you may also file with the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center at IC3.gov, though this does not replace a local police report for creditor dispute purposes.
One important note on online filing: even if your department accepts online reports, some banks and credit bureaus specifically require an in-person police report with a physical signature and official seal. If you are unsure, call your creditor or credit bureau first to confirm what format they will accept before filing online.
What to do with your police report number
The police report number is the key that unlocks your right to dispute and resolve identity theft with most institutions.
Send it to the credit bureaus
Write to each of the three credit bureaus separately. Include a copy of your FTC Identity Theft Report and your police report. Ask them to block all fraudulent information from your credit file. Under federal law, if you have an FTC Identity Theft Report, the credit bureaus must honour this request.
TransUnion: Fraud Victim Assistance Department, P.O. Box 2000, Chester, PA 19016 | 1-800-680-7289
Equifax: P.O. Box 105069, Atlanta, GA 30348-5069 | 1-800-525-6285
Experian: P.O. Box 9554, Allen, TX 75013 | 1-888-397-3742
Send it to creditors
Call the fraud department of each business where a fraudulent account was opened or charges were made. Provide both reports. Ask the business to close the account and confirm in writing that it is not your debt, remove the account from your credit report, and stop any debt collection activity related to the fraudulent account.
Keep every letter you receive from creditors. If a fraudulent account resurfaces on your credit report later, these letters are your proof.
Send it to the IRS if tax fraud is involved
If someone filed a tax return using your Social Security number, complete IRS Identity Theft Affidavit (Form 14039) and submit it by mail or fax. Include a copy of your police report. File your own tax return as normal; you may need to mail a paper return. If the issue is not resolved, contact the IRS Identity Protection Specialised Unit at 1-800-908-4490.
Use it for other account types
Utilities (phone, gas, electricity): Provide to the service provider's fraud department; contact your state Public Utility Commission if they do not resolve it.
Government benefits (SSA, unemployment): Provide to the issuing agency's fraud or inspector general office.
Checking accounts and bad cheques: Provide to your financial institution; contact TeleCheck (1-800-710-9898) or Certegy (1-800-437-5120) for cheque verification issues.
Driver's licence used fraudulently: Report to your nearest DMV; the state may flag the licence number or issue a replacement.
Passport used fraudulently: Call the State Department at 1-877-487-2778.
Student loans (federal): Contact the U.S. Department of Education Office of Inspector General: 1-800-647-8733.
Criminal record in your name: Contact the law enforcement agency that made the arrest and request a clearance letter.
What to do next: closing fraudulent accounts and clearing your credit
Close fraudulent accounts
Now that you have both your FTC Identity Theft Report and your police report, contact the fraud department of each business where a fraudulent account was opened:
Explain that someone stole your identity and ask them to close the account.
Request a letter confirming the fraudulent account is not yours, that you are not liable, and that it has been removed from your credit report.
Keep this letter. You will need it if the account reappears later.
The business may require you to submit your FTC Identity Theft Report or complete a dispute form.
Write down who you contacted, when, and what they agreed to do.
Remove fraudulent charges from existing accounts
For accounts that are legitimately yours but have fraudulent charges applied:
Call the fraud department and tell them which charges are not yours.
Ask them to remove the charges and send written confirmation.
They may ask for a copy of your FTC Identity Theft Report.
Consider an extended fraud alert or credit freeze
An extended fraud alert lasts seven years, is free to place and remove, and requires businesses to contact you before issuing new credit. It is available only to confirmed identity theft victims, and placing it at one bureau notifies the other two. It also entitles you to two free credit reports from each bureau per year.
A credit freeze lasts until you remove it, is free to place and remove, and completely blocks access to your credit report. It is available to anyone. You must set it at each bureau separately and can temporarily lift it online when you need to apply for credit.
A credit freeze is generally the stronger option if you are not expecting to apply for credit soon.
Monitor your credit ongoing
Check your credit reports weekly for free at AnnualCreditReport.com. Look for new accounts you did not open, enquiries you did not authorise, or changes to existing accounts. Act quickly if anything new appears; the sooner you dispute it, the easier it is to remove.
Special types of identity theft
Tax identity theft
If you receive an IRS notice about income from an unknown employer, write to that employer explaining the identity theft.
Submit IRS Form 14039 (Identity Theft Affidavit) by mail or fax.
File your tax return as normal; you may need to mail a paper return.
If unresolved, contact the IRS at 1-800-908-4490.
Medical identity theft
Place a fraud alert with one of the three credit bureaus immediately.
Request your medical records through your health provider's patient portal.
Report any errors to your health care provider in writing (send certified mail with return receipt) and include your FTC Identity Theft Report.
Send your FTC Identity Theft Report to your health insurer's fraud department.
For Medicare fraud: 1-800-633-4227. For Medicaid fraud: contact your state Medicaid agency at Medicaid.gov.
Child identity theft
Call the company where fraud occurred and explain that your child is a minor who cannot legally enter contracts.
Request a manual search for your child's Social Security number at each credit bureau: Experian, TransUnion, Equifax.
If a credit report exists in your child's name, follow each bureau's process to remove the fraudulent accounts.
Place a free credit freeze for your child at all three bureaus: Equifax 1-800-685-1111, Experian 1-888-397-3742, TransUnion 1-888-909-8872.
If taxes were filed using your child's SSN, complete IRS Form 14039 and contact the IRS at 1-800-908-4490 if unresolved.
Social Security number misuse
Review your Social Security work history at SSA.gov. Look for employers you do not recognise.
Contact your local Social Security Administration office if you find errors.
Consider locking your SSN through E-Verify at e-verify.gov/mye-verify to prevent someone from using it to get a job.
Note: getting a new SSN is very difficult and does not erase records linking you to your old number. It rarely solves all problems.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a police report for identity theft?
Not always, but often yes. The FTC Identity Theft Report is legally sufficient for most creditor disputes under federal law. However, many banks, credit bureaus, employers, and landlords specifically ask for a police report for larger claims. If criminal charges have been filed in your name, a police report is essential for clearing your record. When in doubt, file both.
What if the police will not take my identity theft report?
Some departments decline identity theft reports when the thief is unknown and there is no local connection to the crime. If this happens:
Ask to file a "miscellaneous incident report" instead. It still creates an official record.
Try a different jurisdiction: file with the police department where the fraud actually occurred if you know it.
Contact your state attorney general's consumer protection office, which can sometimes compel local departments to take reports.
Note that your FTC Identity Theft Report is often legally sufficient on its own. The police report is an additional layer of protection, not always a strict requirement.
Can I file an identity theft police report online?
It depends on your local police department. Many larger departments now offer online reporting for identity theft and fraud. Search for your city or county police department's online services page, or call the non-emergency line to ask. Be aware that some creditors specifically require an in-person report. Confirm with them before filing online if you plan to use the report for dispute purposes.
What is the difference between an FTC Identity Theft Report and a police report?
An FTC Identity Theft Report is filed at IdentityTheft.gov and creates your legal right to dispute fraud with creditors and credit bureaus. A police report is filed with local law enforcement and creates an official criminal record of the theft. Most people need both: the FTC report first, then the police report using the FTC document as supporting evidence.
How long does it take to resolve identity theft?
It varies significantly depending on how many accounts were affected and how quickly you acted. Most cases are resolved within three to six months of active follow-up. Some cases, especially those involving criminal records, tax fraud, or medical identity theft, can take one to two years. The sooner you file your reports and begin contacting affected institutions, the faster the resolution.
Will identity theft affect my credit score?
Yes. Fraudulent accounts and missed payments can significantly lower your credit score. However, once you dispute the fraudulent information using your FTC Identity Theft Report and police report, the credit bureaus are required to block that information from your report. Your score should recover once the fraudulent items are removed, which typically takes 30 to 60 days per dispute.
Key contacts and resources
FTC Identity Theft Report: IdentityTheft.gov | 1-877-438-4338
Annual Credit Report: AnnualCreditReport.com | 1-877-322-8228
Experian fraud alert and freeze: 1-888-397-3742
TransUnion fraud alert and freeze: 1-888-909-8872
Equifax fraud alert and freeze: 1-800-685-1111
IRS identity theft (Form 14039): IRS.gov | 1-800-908-4490
Social Security Administration: SSA.gov/myaccount
State Department (passport fraud): 1-877-487-2778
Medicare fraud hotline: 1-800-633-4227
TeleCheck (bad cheque fraud): 1-800-710-9898
Certegy (cheque verification fraud): 1-800-437-5120