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Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteIf someone opened a credit card in your name, contact the issuer’s fraud department, report the identity theft at IdentityTheft.gov, and protect your credit reports. Keep copies of every report, letter, and contact record. These steps are for U.S. consumers.
1. Contact the card issuer’s fraud department
Use the issuer’s official website or a trusted account statement to find its contact details. Tell the fraud department that you did not open or authorize the account. Ask it to close or freeze the account while it investigates, and ask what documents it needs from you.
Request written confirmation that the account is not yours, that you are not liable for it, and that the issuer will remove its reporting from your credit files. Keep a record of when you called, the representative or department you spoke with, and what the issuer agreed to do.
You can also ask for records related to the account, including the application and applicant signature where relevant. Save the issuer’s replies and any documents you send.
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2. Create an official identity theft report
Go to IdentityTheft.gov to create an FTC Identity Theft Report and a recovery plan tailored to your situation. Save or print both. The report is useful documentation for your disputes with the issuer and credit bureaus.
You may also choose to report the theft to local police. The FTC says to bring the Identity Theft Report, photo identification, proof of address, and any other evidence you have.
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3. Decide whether to place a fraud alert, a credit freeze, or both
A fraud alert asks creditors to take steps to verify your identity before opening new credit. A credit freeze restricts access to your credit report. Neither replaces notifying the issuer or disputing the fraudulent account.
| Option | How it works | Where to request it | Duration and effect on new credit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Initial fraud alert | Asks creditors to verify your identity when they review an application. The bureau you contact must notify the other two nationwide bureaus. | Request it from one of Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion. | One year. It does not block access to your report, but adds a verification step for new credit. |
| Credit freeze | Restricts access to your credit file. | Contact Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion separately to freeze all three files. | Free under federal law. You may need to lift the freeze before applying for credit. |
| Extended fraud alert | Provides an extended alert for identity theft victims who provide an FTC Identity Theft Report. | Request it from a nationwide bureau and provide the report. | Seven years, according to the FTC. |
The FTC explains current alert and freeze options on its recovery steps page. You can choose a freeze, an alert, or both based on whether you want to restrict report access as well as prompt identity checks.
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4. Check your credit reports and dispute the account
Review reports from all three nationwide credit bureaus for the fraudulent account and any other unfamiliar activity. Send each bureau reporting the account an FTC Identity Theft Report, proof of your identity, and a written description identifying the fraudulent information. Ask the bureau to block that information from your credit report.
Keep copies of everything you submit and every response you receive. The FTC’s sample letters include templates for disputing a fraudulent new account and for contacting credit bureaus.
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5. Keep the dispute focused on the kind of fraud involved
A credit card opened in your name without permission is a fraudulent new-account dispute. Unauthorized charges on a card you already own are a different problem and use a different process. The FTC provides separate sample letters for new accounts, existing accounts, card charges, and credit bureau disputes.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.6. Watch for impostors while you recover
Contact agencies, law enforcement, and financial institutions through verified official websites and phone numbers. The CFPB warns that scammers may impersonate agencies or financial institutions. A demand that you transfer money, withdraw cash, or buy gold to “protect” your money is a warning sign of a scam.
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For further consumer guidance, see the CFPB’s identity theft page, last reviewed July 30, 2026, and its credit freeze explanation and identity theft definition, both last reviewed September 5, 2025.
What to keep in your records
- The FTC Identity Theft Report and recovery plan.
- The issuer’s written confirmation and any application or account records it provides.
- Copies of letters, identity documents, and other evidence sent to the issuer or bureaus.
- Responses from the issuer and credit bureaus.
- A contact log with dates, departments or representatives, and the outcome of each conversation.
The steps above describe U.S. procedures and do not establish the outcome of every issuer investigation or the liability rules that may apply in every state. They are not legal advice for people outside the United States.
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