If accounts or inquiries on your credit report resulted from identity theft, federal law gives you a stronger remedy than an ordinary dispute: with an FTC identity theft report, the bureaus must block the fraudulent information within four business days, and furnishers must stop reporting it. We handle the reports, the blocks, the fraud alerts or freezes, and the follow-up when a bureau or creditor drags its feet.
Who it's for
Anyone who finds accounts, inquiries, or addresses on their report that aren't theirs, including family fraud, data-breach victims, and people who discovered the problem years later.
The process
- Document it. Pull all three reports and list every account, inquiry, and address that isn’t yours.
- FTC Identity Theft Report at IdentityTheft.gov. This is the key document; it triggers the FCRA § 605B block.
- Police report where practical. Some creditors still ask for one.
- Fraud alert or credit freeze at all three bureaus. A freeze is free and stops new accounts cold.
- Block requests to each bureau with the FTC report, your ID, and the list of fraudulent items. Bureaus have four business days to block.
- Furnisher notices to each creditor or collector reporting a fraudulent account, with the FTC report; they must stop reporting and cannot sell the debt.
- Follow-up. Items that reappear or creditors that keep collecting get escalated to the CFPB and, where warranted, an attorney. Identity theft cases have strong statutory remedies.
Family fraud
A meaningful share of identity theft is committed by a relative. The legal process is the same, and we’ll walk you through it without judgment. You decide how far to take the police-report step; the FTC report is usually enough for the bureaus.
What this isn’t
It isn’t a way to remove accounts that are actually yours by claiming they aren’t. Filing a false identity theft report is a crime, and we will not do it or help you do it. If an account is yours, it’s handled through dispute, negotiation, or time, like any other item.
Want it handled?
You can do everything on this page yourself. If you'd rather have Laura build the strategy and run the rounds, start with a free consultation.
Request a Free ConsultationRead the DIY guide →Related questions
How long does identity theft recovery take?
Bureau blocks are required within four business days of a complete request. Full cleanup across furnishers typically takes one to three months.
Should I freeze my credit?
Yes, in almost every case. It's free, it stops new fraudulent accounts, and you can temporarily lift it when you apply for something.
Will the fraudulent accounts hurt my score once blocked?
No. Blocked information is removed from your reports and from scoring.
Can I do this myself?
Yes. IdentityTheft.gov generates the report and letters. Hire us when there are many items, the bureaus aren't complying, or you'd rather not manage it.
Free consultation
Not sure what this means for your file?
The consultation is free and it's a conversation, not a pitch. A house, a car, a fresh start, or just being done feeling embarrassed when someone pulls your credit: whatever it is, you'll leave knowing what your file needs, even if the answer is "do it yourself."
Month-to-month. No long-term contract. Cancel anytime.