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ID Theft Complaint Instructions

Instructions on Printing the ID Theft Complaint and Using It to Create an Identity Theft Report

How do I print this form?
 When you have submitted your online Complaint to the FTC, it will reappear on the screen in a different format.  The information will be displayed in boxes and checkboxes. You will have the option to print it out.  

You may want to verify that the margins have been set correctly in your web browser before you print. Use the "Print Preview" button located in the "File" section of your toolbar to do this. If you find that your margins have been set incorrectly, you may correct them by using the "Page Setup" button located in the "File" section of your toolbar.

Will I get a confirmation notice from the FTC?
Within two business days of submitting your online Complaint to the FTC, the FTC will send you a response by email or postal mail that will include the FTC Reference Number assigned to your Complaint.  Be sure to write this reference number in the “universal report number” block that is in the “Law Enforcement Report Information” section of your printed ID Theft Complaint Form.

What should I do when I go to the police?
When you go to your local police department to file a report, bring a printed copy of your ID Theft Complaint, along with a Law Enforcement Cover Letter.  Sign your Complaint in the presence of the officer taking your report.  Ask the officer to attach or incorporate your ID Theft Complaint into their police report.  Also ask the officer to sign the “Law Enforcement Report Information” section of your Complaint.
You should also bring your supporting documentation.  Your supporting documentation should include as much of the following information as you are able to provide:

  • A government-issued identification document, preferably with a photo;
  • Proof of residency (something that shows your address), such as a copy of your phone or utilities billing statement, your rental agreement, or your payroll stub (you can black out any financial information);
  • Copies of your credit reports that show inaccuracies caused by identity theft;
  • Copies of any credit cards, bills, monthly statements, or collection letters you have received relating to the identity theft; and
  • Anything else that shows what happened or provides information about the thief.

What do I need to get from the police to show that i filed a report?
Ask the officer to give you a copy of the official police report that incorporates or attaches your ID Theft Complaint. In some jurisdictions the officer will not be able to give you a copy of the official police report, but should be able to sign a copy of your ID Theft Complaint and write the police report number in the “Law Enforcement Report” section.  Be sure to keep a copy of the police report number.

What if the police do not take reports about identity theft in person, but only take them online or over the telephone?
You may find that most federal and state agencies, and some local police departments, offer only "automated" reports -- that is, reports that do not require a face-to-face meeting with a law enforcement officer. Automated reports may be submitted online, by telephone, or by mail. If you have a choice, do not use an automated report. The reason?  It's more difficult for the consumer reporting company or information provider to verify the information.

If you are only asking a consumer reporting agency to place an extended fraud alert on your credit report, an automated report that simply says that an identity theft occurred should be enough. (An automated report such as, for example, the one you file with the FTC and print out as an ID Theft Complaint).  However, if you want the other full protections available to you with an Identity Theft Report, you probably will have to provide additional information or documentation when you use an automated report.

The ID Theft Complaint can help in providing the additional information needed to supplement an Automated Police Report. If your police department only allows you to file an automated report, fill in the "Automated Report Information" block of the printed ID Theft Complaint. You will need to write in this information. Attach a copy of any confirmation received from the police to your ID Theft Complaint. 

What do I need to do when I submit my Identity Theft Report to the credit reporting agencies or companies where the thief used my information?
Send copies of your credit reporting agency cover letter, Identity Theft Report, and supporting documentation to the fraud departments of the three major credit reporting agencies. You can also send copies (with a separate cover letter) to the fraud departments of each of the companies where the identity thief has committed fraud using your personal information. Click here for fraud on your existing accounts; click here for fraud on new accounts.  Always send this information by certified mail, with a return receipt requested.

The credit reporting agencies have certain timeframes for responding to your Identity Theft Report with requests for additional information.