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File a Police Report

In the event that you are a victim of Identity Theft, it is crucial that you file a police report with your locallaw enforcement agency listing what was taken or used without your authorization and what credit, money or goods were established or purchased. It is very important that you keep a copy of the report. You may need to validate your claims to creditors. If you can't get a copy, at least get the report number.

Tips on Filing a Police Report

  • Provide documentation. Furnish as much documentation as you can to prove your case. Debt collection letters, credit reports, your notarized ID Theft Affidavit, and other evidence of fraudulent activity can help the police file a complete report.
  • Be persistent. Local authorities may tell you that they can't take a report. Stress the importance of a police report; many creditors require one to resolve your dispute. Also remind them that under their voluntary "Police Report Initiative," credit bureaus will automatically block the fraudulent accounts and bad debts from appearing on your credit report, but only if you can give them a copy of the police report.

    If you can't get the local police to take a report, try your county police. If that doesn't work, try your state police.

    If you're told that identity theft is not a crime under your state law, ask to file a Miscellaneous Incident Report instead. Many states have passed laws related to identity theft; others are considering such legislation. Where specific identity theft laws do not exist, the practices may be prohibited under other laws. Contact your State Attorneys General office for a list of state offices or your local consumer protection agency for laws related to identity theft, or visit the Federal Trade Commission's (FTC) Identity Theft website.
  • Be a motivating force. Ask your police department to search the FTC's Consumer Sentinel database for other complaints in your community. You may not be the first or only victim of this identity thief. If there is a pattern of cases, local authorities may give your case more consideration.
  • File a complaint with the FTC. Law enforcement agencies use complaints filed with the Federal Trade Commission to aggregate cases, spot patterns, and track growth in identity theft. This information can then be used to improve investigations and victim assistance.