Identity Theft in New York — Your Complete Legal Guide

Immediate Steps After Discovering Identity Theft

1. File an Identity Theft Report at IdentityTheft.gov — this creates an official FTC report
2. File a police report with your local police department
3. Place a free fraud alert or credit freeze with all three credit bureaus
4. Contact each creditor with the fraudulent account and dispute it in writing
5. Keep copies of everything

Freezing Your Credit

A credit freeze prevents new creditors from accessing your credit file, making it very difficult for thieves to open new accounts in your name. Credit freezes are free at all three major bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. You can freeze and unfreeze at will. A credit freeze does not affect your existing accounts or credit score.

Disputing Fraudulent Debts

Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, you have the right to dispute inaccurate information on your credit report. Send a dispute letter by certified mail to each credit bureau reporting the fraudulent account. Include your FTC Identity Theft Report and police report. The bureau must investigate within 30 days and remove the account if it cannot be verified.

If You Are Sued for Identity Theft Debt

If a debt collector sues you for a debt you did not incur, file your written answer immediately — do not ignore the lawsuit. On the NY consumer credit answer form, check Defense Number 4: "It is not my debt. I am a victim of identity theft or mistaken identity." Attach copies of your FTC report and police report. Our free tool at EasyLegalFiling.com builds your complete answer.