How to File an Identity Theft Report and Dispute Fraudulent Accounts

Identity theft can cause significant and long-lasting damage to your financial health if not addressed quickly and correctly. For consumers working to protect or rebuild their Middle Credit Score®, acting swiftly is essential to prevent false information from dragging down your scores across multiple credit bureaus. Filing an identity theft report and disputing fraudulent accounts are two of the most important steps in this recovery process.

Credit reports are the cornerstone of financial decision-making in the U.S. economy. Lenders use them to determine eligibility and pricing for loans, lines of credit, mortgages, and even apartment leases or insurance premiums. When an identity thief creates a fraudulent account in your name, it doesn’t just disrupt your credit report—it also puts your financial reputation at risk. Incorrect entries can inflate your debt-to-income ratio, spike your utilization, create late payment histories that aren’t yours, and introduce negative accounts that drop your credit score by dozens—or even hundreds—of points. This is especially devastating when it impacts your Middle Credit Score®, which mortgage lenders often use to make loan qualification decisions.

The damage can go unnoticed for months, especially if you don’t regularly monitor all three of your credit reports. Often, consumers only discover something’s wrong when they apply for credit and are unexpectedly denied. By then, the fraudulent activity has typically spread across multiple bureaus, creating a mess that requires legal documentation, hours of correspondence, and persistence to clean up.

Filing a formal Identity Theft Report through the FTC and submitting well-documented disputes with the credit bureaus is the fastest, most effective way to begin that cleanup. It also gives you legal protection under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), which forces creditors and bureaus to block fraudulent entries once verified. But this process can be confusing, especially for those who have never dealt with identity theft or filed disputes before.

In this introduction, we walk you through why every credit-conscious consumer—especially those concerned with preserving their Middle Credit Score®—needs to know exactly how this process works. We’ll explain what makes a report official, what kind of documentation gives you the highest chance of success, and how to avoid common mistakes that can delay resolution or lead to dispute rejection.

We’ll also examine how identity theft disputes differ from traditional credit disputes. For instance, while you may dispute inaccurate information (like an incorrect balance or account status), fraud disputes require you to prove that the account itself was never authorized. This means submitting sworn statements, government-issued ID copies, FTC documentation, and sometimes a police report.

This guide is especially important if:

• You’ve noticed a sudden drop in one or more of your credit scores without explanation
• You’ve received mail or bills for accounts you never opened
• You’ve been notified by your bank, credit card issuer, or the IRS of suspicious activity
• You’ve detected hard inquiries on your credit report that you did not authorize
• You’re preparing for a mortgage application and want to remove unauthorized data to qualify for better terms

Whether you’re dealing with synthetic identity theft (where someone creates a fake identity using parts of your information) or full-file fraud (where your Social Security number, name, and address are used to mimic you completely), this guide provides a roadmap for taking control.

We’ll show you how to file an FTC Identity Theft Report using IdentityTheft.gov, how to request and document corrections with the credit bureaus, and how to follow up effectively if your first attempts are unsuccessful. We’ll also provide sample templates for dispute letters, a checklist of supporting documents to include, and advice on how to document every step of your recovery for future reference.

This process can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. With the right approach, you can remove fraudulent accounts, restore your scores, and regain your financial footing. Let’s walk through exactly how to regain control of your identity and clean up your credit reports the right way.

We’ll cover:

• How to identify which accounts or inquiries are fraudulent
• How to file an official Identity Theft Report through IdentityTheft.gov
• The supporting documentation required to dispute each item
• How to write and send a formal dispute letter to each credit bureau
• What to expect during the 30-day investigation window
• How to escalate your dispute if it’s rejected

This guide is essential reading if you’ve:

• Discovered accounts or applications you never opened
• Been notified of suspicious activity via credit monitoring
• Received a denial for a loan due to fraud-related derogatory items
• Found strange activity on one credit report that affects your Middle Credit Score®

Let’s walk through exactly how to regain control of your identity and clean up your credit reports the right way.

Step 1: Confirm Fraudulent Activity

Start by identifying the accounts, inquiries, or personal information that have been compromised. Pull your credit reports from all three major bureaus—Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion—at AnnualCreditReport.com. Look for accounts you don’t recognize, unfamiliar inquiries, incorrect personal details, or accounts reporting suspicious activity.

Red flags include:

• New accounts you didn’t open
• Credit inquiries from lenders you never contacted
• Changes to your name, address, or employment
• Balances or utilization increases you didn’t cause

Take notes and make a list of every suspicious item. Save a copy of each credit report for your records.

Step 2: File an FTC Identity Theft Report

Go to IdentityTheft.gov and complete the FTC’s online form. The site will guide you through creating an official Identity Theft Report, which serves as a sworn statement that you are a victim of fraud.

You’ll need to provide:

• Full name, date of birth, and contact info
• Social Security number
• Explanation of what happened (e.g., which accounts were opened, when you noticed the issue)

Once submitted, you’ll receive a PDF of your Identity Theft Report along with a personalized recovery plan. Save this report—it will serve as your legal foundation when disputing with credit bureaus and creditors.

Step 3: File a Police Report (Optional but Recommended)

Although not always required, a local police report strengthens your dispute file. Some creditors may require it before removing fraud-related accounts.

Steps:

1. Visit your local police department
2. Provide your FTC report, ID, proof of address, and evidence of fraud (e.g., statements, credit report entries)
3. Request a copy of the police report or a case number

Keep this document with your recovery packet.

Step 4: Send a Fraud Alert to the Credit Bureaus

Contact one of the three credit bureaus to place an initial fraud alert. That bureau must notify the other two. The alert lasts for one year and requires lenders to take extra verification steps before opening new credit in your name.

Contact details:

• Equifax: 1-800-525-6285
• Experian: 1-888-397-3742
• TransUnion: 1-800-680-7289

Ask for a confirmation email or reference number for your records.

Step 5: Consider a Credit Freeze

If you want to completely prevent new credit accounts from being opened, place a freeze on your credit with each bureau individually. This blocks all access to your credit report until you lift the freeze.

Benefits of a credit freeze:

• Stops fraudulent applications from being processed
• Doesn’t affect your existing accounts
• Can be temporarily lifted when you need to apply for credit

Step 6: Dispute Fraudulent Accounts with Credit Bureaus

Write a dispute letter to each bureau reporting a fraudulent item. Include:

• A clear statement that you are disputing the account due to identity theft
• A copy of your FTC Identity Theft Report
• Police report (if available)
• Copies of your ID and proof of address
• A copy of your credit report with the fraudulent account highlighted

Send via certified mail with return receipt requested.

Addresses:

• Equifax: P.O. Box 740256, Atlanta, GA 30374
• Experian: P.O. Box 4500, Allen, TX 75013
• TransUnion: P.O. Box 2000, Chester, PA 19016

The bureau must respond within 30 days.

Step 7: Dispute Directly with Creditors

Send a similar dispute package to the creditor or lender that reported the account. They are legally obligated to investigate and respond.

Include:

• Your FTC report
• Police report (if applicable)
• Account number and explanation of the fraud
• Copy of your credit report

Ask them to:

• Close the account
• Remove it from your report
• Confirm the removal in writing

Step 8: Use Form 609 and 611 Requests if Needed

If the bureaus don’t remove fraudulent items after the first dispute, send a follow-up letter using:

• Form 609: Requests full documentation the creditor used to verify the debt
• Form 611: Follow-up challenge to reinvestigate disputed information

These tools force bureaus to provide proof or remove unverifiable entries.

Step 9: Create a Dispute Timeline and Tracker

Organize your recovery with a tracker spreadsheet that includes:

• Date you filed each report and dispute
• Bureau or creditor contacted
• Response date
• Outcome (approved, removed, denied)

This timeline helps if you need to escalate to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) or an attorney.

Step 10: Monitor Your Credit and Middle Credit Score®

Use tri-bureau monitoring services to:

• Track dispute outcomes
• Catch new fraud early
• Compare changes in your middle score as disputes are resolved

Recommended tools:

• Experian CreditWorks™
• IdentityIQ
• Credit Karma (limited to Equifax and TransUnion)

Step 11: Escalate If Disputes Are Rejected

If a bureau or creditor refuses to remove a fraudulent item:

1. Resend the dispute with additional documentation
2. File a complaint with the CFPB (consumerfinance.gov)
3. Contact a credit repair attorney or nonprofit credit counselor

You have legal rights under FCRA and FACTA that protect you from being held liable for fraudulent accounts.

Step 12: Rebuild and Protect Your Credit Going Forward

Once fraudulent items are removed, focus on rebuilding:

• Apply for a secured card if needed to rebuild history
• Keep utilization low on remaining accounts
• Make on-time payments
• Freeze your credit to prevent future breaches

Consider placing extended fraud alerts (7 years) if your identity theft was severe.

Conclusion: Restore What’s Yours, One Dispute at a Time

Filing an Identity Theft Report and disputing fraudulent accounts can feel intimidating, but with the right approach, you’ll reclaim your credit report and protect your Middle Credit Score® from long-term harm. Use the steps above to take action quickly, document every interaction, and rebuild your financial reputation with confidence.

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