What Is an Identity Theft Report? How to File One
Calvin Harvey II
October 31, 2026
Bottom line: An identity theft report is a report you file with the FTC at IdentityTheft.gov or with a police department. It can help you place a seven-year extended fraud alert and ask the credit bureaus to block information that resulted from identity theft. This applies to anyone who finds accounts, inquiries, or debts on their credit report that came from someone using their identity.
If you've found accounts that aren't yours, this report is one of the most useful documents you can have. Here's what it is and what it does.
What is an identity theft report?
An identity theft report is a report that says you're a victim of identity theft, filed with a law enforcement agency. Under the FCRA, an identity theft report alleges identity theft and is a copy of an official, valid report filed with a federal, state, or local law enforcement agency (15 U.S.C. § 1681a).
For an extended fraud alert, the FTC says you can use an FTC identity theft report from IdentityTheft.gov or a police report (FTC).
How do you file an identity theft report?
To file one, go to IdentityTheft.gov, the FTC's site, and report what happened. The FTC says you'll get a free personal recovery plan with next steps (FTC). IdentityTheft.gov also lets you print pre-filled letters and forms to send to credit bureaus, businesses, and debt collectors (FTC).
The FTC's recovery steps (FTC):
- Call the companies where you know fraud occurred.
- Place a fraud alert and get your credit reports.
- Report it at IdentityTheft.gov.
How does an identity theft report help with an extended fraud alert?
An identity theft report lets you place an extended fraud alert, which lasts seven years. The FTC says an extended fraud alert is available if someone has stolen your identity, and you'll need an FTC identity theft report or a police report to place one (FTC).
After an alert is in place, keep reviewing your reports. See How Often Should You Check Your Credit Report?.
How does an identity theft report help you block fraudulent information?
An identity theft report lets you ask each credit bureau to block information that resulted from identity theft. Under FCRA section 605B, a bureau must block that information within four business days after it receives (15 U.S.C. § 1681c-2):
- Proof of your identity
- A copy of your identity theft report
- Identification of the information that resulted from identity theft
- Your statement that the information isn't from a transaction you made
The law also lets a bureau decline or rescind a block in some situations, such as if it was requested in error or based on a material misrepresentation, or if you got goods, services, or money as a result of the blocked transaction (15 U.S.C. § 1681c-2). A block is not a guaranteed outcome.
Can you also dispute identity theft accounts?
Yes. You can dispute information that came from identity theft with each credit bureau and the company that reported it. The CFPB says you can dispute negative information that resulted from identity theft (CFPB).
A credit bureau generally has 30 days to investigate a dispute. It can take up to 45 days if you dispute after getting your free annual credit report, or if you send more relevant information during the investigation (CFPB).
For first steps on an account that isn't yours, see Account on Your Credit Report That Isn't Yours? Do This First.
Can you get extra free credit reports after identity theft?
Yes. The FTC says you can get an additional free credit report if your report is inaccurate because of fraud, including identity theft, or if you place a fraud alert (FTC). You can also get free weekly reports from each bureau at AnnualCreditReport.com.
How does Dispute Nerds help?
Dispute Nerds is AI-powered credit dispute software. The AI analyzes your credit report and flags items that may be inaccurate or incomplete, including accounts that may not be yours. You review the findings and decide what, if anything, to dispute. Then you sign and send your own disputes. Dispute Nerds never files disputes for you.
Findings are free. Your credit report comes from our monitoring partner and is billed separately.
FAQ
Where do I file an identity theft report?
At IdentityTheft.gov, the FTC's site. The FTC also accepts a police report for an extended fraud alert.
How long does an extended fraud alert last?
Seven years. The FTC says you'll need an FTC identity theft report or a police report to place one.
How fast must a bureau block identity theft information?
Under FCRA section 605B, within four business days after it receives the required documents. A bureau can decline or rescind a block in some situations.
Is the recovery plan free?
The FTC says that when you report identity theft at IdentityTheft.gov, you'll get a free personal recovery plan.
Does Dispute Nerds file my identity theft report?
No. You file it yourself at IdentityTheft.gov. Dispute Nerds never files disputes for you either. You review, sign, and send your own.
Sources
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, "How long does it take to repair an error on a credit report?": https://www.consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/how-long-does-it-take-to-repair-an-error-on-a-credit-report-en-1339/
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, "Is it possible to remove accurate but negative information from my credit report?": https://www.consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/is-it-possible-to-remove-accurate-negative-information-from-my-credit-report-en-1249/
- Federal Trade Commission, "Free Credit Reports": https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/free-credit-reports
- Federal Trade Commission, "Credit Freezes and Fraud Alerts": https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/credit-freezes-and-fraud-alerts
- Federal Trade Commission, "How to recover from identity theft" (Sept. 27, 2024): https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2024/09/how-recover-identity-theft
- Federal Trade Commission, "What To Know About Identity Theft": https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/what-know-about-identity-theft
- Fair Credit Reporting Act §605B, 15 U.S.C. § 1681c-2 (Legal Information Institute, Cornell Law School): https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/15/1681c-2
- Fair Credit Reporting Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1681a (Legal Information Institute, Cornell Law School): https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/15/1681a
- AnnualCreditReport.com: https://www.annualcreditreport.com/index.action
- IdentityTheft.gov (FTC): https://www.identitytheft.gov/
Last updated: October 31, 2026
