What to Do If a Family Member Steals Your Identity

If you've been the victim of identity theft, the first thing you should do is follow these steps.

1. File a Police a Report. Identity theft is a crime, and if a family member steals your identity, you are that crime's victim. ...
2. Alert Credit Bureaus. ...
3. Contact Creditors. ...
4. Change Your Passwords. ...
5. Consider Freezing Your Credit.

1. Can you press charges on someone who stole your identity?
2. How do I report someone who stole my identity?
3. What is the punishment for identity theft from someone you know?
4. What do I do if someone stole my identity?
5. Can I sue someone for using my identity?
6. What can the police do about identity theft?
7. Do Police Investigate Identity Theft?
8. How common is ID theft?
9. How can I find out if someone is using my identity?
10. Should I call the police for identity theft?
11. Are identity thieves ever caught?
12. How long do you go to jail for identity theft?

Can you press charges on someone who stole your identity?

Identity theft is a crime, and you can file a police report if you believe you have been victimized. Your creditors may request a copy of your police report if you contact them and tell them you are not responsible for any new accounts opened in your name, or charges made with your accounts without your permission.

How do I report someone who stole my identity?

Report Identity Theft. Report identity (ID) theft to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) online at IdentityTheft.gov or by phone at 1-877-438-4338.

What is the punishment for identity theft from someone you know?

A conviction for an identity theft crime can result in time spent in jail or prison. In general, a conviction for a misdemeanor offense can lead to up to a year in jail, while felony sentences can result in several years or more in prison.

What do I do if someone stole my identity?

What To Do Right Away

1. Step 1: Call the companies where you know fraud occurred. Call the fraud department. ...
2. Step 2: Place a fraud alert and get your credit reports. Place a free, one-year fraud alert by contacting one of the three credit bureaus. ...
3. Step 3: Report identity theft to the FTC.

Can I sue someone for using my identity?

As Attorney Hinz stated, you can't sue a person for identity theft. ... I recommend consulting with an attorney to help you file a police report placing a fraud alert on your credit file and closing tampered or fraudulent accounts.

What can the police do about identity theft?

Report the Crime to the Police

Under California law, you can report identity theft to your local police department. ... Give the police any new evidence you collect to add to your report. Be sure to get a copy of your police report. You will need to give copies to creditors and the credit bureaus.

Do Police Investigate Identity Theft?

Police departments can do very little to investigate and prosecute identity theft. ... You can use the Identity Theft Report to help get false information taken off your credit reports, stop a company from collecting debts and place an extended fraud alert on your credit reports.

How common is ID theft?

Identity Theft By the Numbers

In 2019, 14.4 million consumers became victims of identity fraud — that's about 1 in 15 people. Overall, 33 percent of U.S. adults have experienced identity theft, which is more than twice the global average.

How can I find out if someone is using my identity?

How To Know if Someone Stole Your Identity

1. Track what bills you owe and when they're due. If you stop getting a bill, that could be a sign that someone changed your billing address.
2. Review your bills. ...
3. Check your bank account statement. ...
4. Get and review your credit reports.

Should I call the police for identity theft?

You should file a report if you know the person who committed fraud, or if your identity was used in a police encounter like an arrest or traffic citation. Also, creditors, financial institutions, and debt collectors might require you to file a police report and/or Federal Trade Commission (FTC) identity theft report.

Are identity thieves ever caught?

Identity thieves almost never get caught

In a study done in 2006, “only 1 in 700 identity theft suspects were arrested by federal authorities (0.14%).” ... It's safe to say that identity thieves are far more likely to get away with their crimes.

How long do you go to jail for identity theft?

Federal identity theft charges usually carry a maximum sentence of 15 years in federal prison, but ID theft cases often include additional charges that can add to prison time.