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RECOVERY

A scammer has my personal information — could I be a victim of identity theft?

If a scammer has your name, address, Social Security number, date of birth, or financial account details, they may attempt to open accounts or take out credit in your name. The steps below help you act before that happens — or limit the damage if it already has.

In an active crisis?

  • Call your bank
  • Call the platform (Amazon, PayPal, MobilePay, etc.)
  • Call local police

Step 1 — Place a fraud alert or credit freeze on your credit file

Do this now (US): Contact one of the three major credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion — and place a free fraud alert on your credit file. A fraud alert requires lenders to take extra steps to verify your identity before opening new credit in your name. If you place it with one bureau, they are required to notify the other two. For stronger protection, place a credit freeze at all three bureaus — this prevents new credit from being opened in your name entirely and is free under US federal law.

UK: Contact the three UK credit reference agencies — Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion — and ask about protective registration or a notice of correction on your file. You can also register with CIFAS's Protective Registration service (cifas.org.uk), which adds a flag to your credit file so lenders take extra steps before approving applications in your name.

Denmark: Contact your bank via NemID/MitID netbank to flag potential identity misuse. You can also request a credit file check through the credit bureaus operating in Denmark (such as Experian Denmark). If you believe your MitID has been compromised, contact MitID support immediately at mitid.dk.

Step 2 — Use the FTC's IdentityTheft.gov recovery plan (US)

Do this now (US): Go to IdentityTheft.gov — the FTC's dedicated identity theft recovery site. It generates a personalised recovery plan based on what information was stolen, pre-fills dispute letters for you, and guides you through each step. It is free, official, and the most comprehensive US resource for identity theft recovery.

IdentityTheft.gov also allows you to report the identity theft to the FTC, which creates an official record that may be required by banks, credit bureaus, and other institutions when disputing fraudulent accounts.

Step 3 — Check your accounts and credit report for signs of misuse

Do this now: Review your bank and credit card statements for any transactions you do not recognise. In the US, you are entitled to a free credit report from each of the three major bureaus at annualcreditreport.com — this is the only federally authorised free credit report site. Look for accounts or enquiries you did not initiate.

If you find accounts you did not open, contact the relevant lender or institution directly and report them as fraudulent. Keep records of every call and letter.

Step 4 — Report to the authorities

You've taken the right steps: You have placed a fraud alert or credit freeze, checked your accounts, and reported to the authorities. Acting quickly is the most effective thing you can do. This is not your fault.

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This page was last reviewed: June 27, 2026.
Recovery pages are drafted with AI assistance, then reviewed line-by-line by the editor, sourced against official reporting authorities, and tested for tone and clarity before publication.