How to File an Identity Theft Police Report

Experian says a police report may help when a creditor requires one. Here is when it helps, where to file, and how it fits your recovery.

Someone used your name, your Social Security number or your accounts. Now a creditor, a bank or a recovery checklist says to file a police report. This page covers what that report is, when Experian says it may help, and how it fits with your FTC report. The FTC defines identity theft. It is when someone uses your personal information without your knowledge or permission. They do it to commit fraud or theft.

What a police report is, and how it differs from the FTC report

A police report is a record you make with a law enforcement agency. Experian says you may make a report of identity theft. You can make it to your local police department.

The FTC report is different. The FTC says to visit IdentityTheft.gov. There you can report identity theft and get a recovery plan.

The two connect in one important way. Experian says an identity theft report includes a copy of a report. You filed that report with law enforcement. So your police report can become part of your identity theft report. For more on that packet, see FTC identity theft report.

Should you file a police report?

Sometimes yes, sometimes it may not be needed.

Experian says a police report may be especially helpful if a creditor or other entity requires you to file one.

Experian also says a police report may be especially helpful if you have specific information that can aid a police investigation.

Warning signs USAGov lists

USAGov lists warning signs of identity theft. One is bills for items you did not buy. Another is debt calls about accounts you did not open. A third is accounts on your credit report that you did not open.

After you file: how the report fits your recovery

Once you have the police report in hand, it becomes part of your identity theft report.

That packet has real uses. Experian says a business may ask for a few things before it gives you the fraud documents. It may want proof of your identity. It may want a police report. It may want an affidavit. Experian also says you can ask a consumer reporting agency to block information in your file. That information results from identity theft. To stop the reporting, you must send your request to the address the business gives. You must also provide an identity theft report.

What to do next

A police report is one step, not the whole plan. USAGov says to use IdentityTheft.gov's list of steps to help you recover. It also says to report the theft to the fraud department. This is at your credit card issuers, bank, and other places where you have accounts.

Two more tools can stop the thief from striking again. The FTC says credit freezes and fraud alerts can also help stop someone who already stole your identity from misusing it again. Experian says identity theft victims are entitled to an extended fraud alert lasting 7 years. The CFPB says a security freeze can help stop an identity thief from opening a new credit account in your name.

For a fuller walkthrough, see what to do if identity theft. If a scam led to the theft, you can also learn how can I report a scam.