Report the theft to the Social Security Administration first

Call the Social Security Administration's main number at 1-800-772-1213 and tell them your Social Security number has been stolen or misused. Have your Social Security number ready when you call, along with your name and date of birth. The SSA will flag your account and can issue you a new number if the theft is confirmed — though getting a new number is not automatic and happens only after investigation.

You can also visit your local Social Security office in person. Bring a photo ID, proof of citizenship (passport, birth certificate, or naturalization papers), and proof of your current address (utility bill, lease, or bank statement). Walk-in hours vary by office, so call ahead or check ssa.gov to find the office nearest you and confirm their hours.

The SSA will document the theft in your file. This record stays with your account and can help you later if someone tries to open accounts or file taxes in your name. Keep a copy of any letter or confirmation number the SSA gives you.

Key Takeaways

  • Contact the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 to report the theft and request a new number if needed.
  • File a report with the Federal Trade Commission at IdentityTheft.gov to create an official record and get a recovery plan.
  • Place a fraud alert with the three credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion) to make it harder for someone to open credit in your name.
  • Check your credit reports for accounts you did not open, and dispute any fraudulent activity with the credit bureau and the creditor.
  • Keep records of every report you file and every contact you make, because you may need them to dispute false accounts or debts later.

File a report with the Federal Trade Commission

Go to IdentityTheft.gov and click "Report Identity Theft." This is the official government site for identity theft reports. You will answer questions about what happened — when you discovered the theft, what type of misuse occurred (credit card fraud, tax fraud, employment fraud, or other), and whether you have already contacted anyone. The FTC does not investigate individual cases, but the report creates an official record that creditors and credit bureaus must recognize.

After you submit the report, the FTC generates a recovery plan tailored to your situation. This plan lists the specific steps you should take next and provides templates for letters you can send to creditors and credit bureaus. Print or save this plan — you will reference it repeatedly over the next weeks and months.

The FTC also maintains a database of identity theft reports. Law enforcement can access this database if they investigate related crimes, and creditors can check it to verify your claim if you dispute a fraudulent account.

Place a fraud alert with the credit bureaus

A fraud alert tells creditors to contact you before opening new accounts in your name. Call or write to one of the three major credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion — and request a fraud alert. You only need to contact one bureau; by law, that bureau must notify the other two. The alert lasts one year and is free.

Here are the contact numbers for each bureau:

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

When you call, have your Social Security number, name, date of birth, and current address ready. Ask for written confirmation of the alert. If the theft involved a credit card or bank account, also ask the bureau to send you a free copy of your credit report so you can check for fraudulent accounts.

After one year, the alert expires. You can renew it by calling again, or you can request an extended fraud alert (seven years) if the theft resulted in fraud or identity theft charges. An extended alert requires proof — usually a police report or FTC identity theft report.

Check your credit reports and dispute fraudulent accounts

Request a free copy of your credit report from each of the three bureaus at AnnualCreditReport.com. This is the official site authorized by federal law; do not use other sites that claim to offer free reports. You are may have access to to one free report from each bureau every 12 months.

Review each report carefully for accounts you do not recognize, inquiries from creditors you never contacted, or personal information that is wrong. Write down the name of each fraudulent account, the account number, the amount owed, and the date it was opened.

Dispute each fraudulent account in writing. Send a letter to the credit bureau that listed it, including your name, address, Social Security number, a copy of your FTC identity theft report, and a list of the accounts you dispute. Keep a copy for your records and send the letter by certified mail so you have proof of delivery. The bureau must investigate within 30 days and remove the account if it cannot verify that it belongs to you.

You may also need to contact the creditor directly — the credit card company, bank, or retailer that issued the fraudulent account. Ask for the fraud department and provide them with your FTC report number. Request written confirmation that the account is fraudulent and that they have closed it.

Monitor your accounts and tax records

Check your bank and credit card statements every week for the next several months. Look for charges you did not make, transfers you did not authorize, or accounts you did not open. Report any fraudulent charges to your bank or credit card company when ready; federal law limits your liability to $50 if you report within 60 days.

Watch for mail from creditors, tax authorities, or collection agencies about accounts or debts you do not recognize. These are signs that someone is using your Social Security number to open accounts or file taxes in your name.

If you suspect tax fraud, contact the Internal Revenue Service at 1-800-908-4490 or visit irs.gov/identity-theft. The IRS has a dedicated identity theft unit. If someone filed a tax return using your Social Security number, the IRS will contact you, but you can report it proactively to speed up the process.

Consider a credit freeze if the theft is serious

A credit freeze prevents anyone — including you — from opening new credit accounts using your Social Security number without your permission. Unlike a fraud alert, a freeze stops new accounts entirely rather than just requiring a phone call. A freeze is free and lasts until you remove it.

To place a freeze, contact each of the three credit bureaus by phone or online. You will need to provide your name, date of birth, Social Security number, and current address. Each bureau will give you a PIN or password; save this, because you will need it to lift the freeze later if you want to open a new account.

A freeze makes it harder for you to open credit quickly — you will need to contact the bureau and temporarily lift the freeze each time you explore for a loan, credit card, or apartment. But if your Social Security number has been used to open multiple fraudulent accounts, a freeze is the strongest protection available.

Keep records of everything

Create a file — physical or digital — with copies of every report you file, every letter you send, every phone call you make, and every response you receive. Include the date, time, name of the person you spoke with, and what was discussed. This record becomes your proof if you need to dispute a debt, challenge a credit report entry, or show that you reported the theft promptly.

Many creditors and credit bureaus will ask you to prove you reported the theft. Your file of records is the fastest way to provide that proof. It also protects you if a debt collector tries to collect on a fraudulent account — you can show that you reported it and disputed it.

Keep these records for at least three years, and longer if fraudulent accounts remain on your credit report or if collection efforts continue.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get a new Social Security number?

The SSA does not give a fixed timeline. After you report the theft, the SSA investigates and decides whether a new number is necessary. This can take weeks or months. You will receive a letter in the mail with the decision. A new number is issued only if the SSA determines that the misuse is severe enough to warrant it.

Will I have to pay for accounts someone opened in my name?

No, if you report the fraud. Once you dispute a fraudulent account with the credit bureau and the creditor, and provide proof that you reported the theft, you are not liable for charges on that account. The creditor must remove the debt from your credit report and stop collection efforts. This can take 30 to 90 days.

What if I discover the theft years later?

Report it when ready using the same steps: contact the SSA, file an FTC report, place a fraud alert, and check your credit reports. The delay does not prevent you from disputing fraudulent accounts or protecting yourself going forward. However, accounts more than seven years old may already have fallen off your credit report, so you may not see them.

Do I need to file a police report?

A police report is not required, but it can be useful. Some creditors ask for one as proof of the theft. If you decide to file one, go to your local police department's non-emergency line or website. Bring your FTC identity theft report and any documentation of fraudulent accounts. Keep a copy of the police report for your records.

Can I get a new Social Security number without reporting theft?

The SSA issues new numbers only in specific circumstances: documented identity theft, religious or cultural objections to the number, or ongoing harassment. straightforward wanting a new number is not enough. If you have been a victim of identity theft, that is grounds to request one, but the SSA must verify the theft first.