What's the difference between FTC report and FTC affidavit?

They're related: when you file at identitytheft.gov, the FTC creates a "report" with details and generates a personalised "affidavit" you can use with creditors and bureaus. The affidavit cites the report number. Both come from the same filing. The FTC version is the most-accepted form and is free.

Should I get a security freeze?

For active ID-theft victims, yes - immediately. A security freeze (free under federal law since 2018) prevents new credit being opened in your name without you lifting the freeze. Different from a fraud alert (1-year notice to creditors to verify identity); freeze is much stronger. Lifting takes 1 hour to a few days; can be temporary or specific-creditor. All three bureaus must be frozen separately.

How long does ID-theft recovery take?

Variable - typical recovery: 30-90 days for clear cases (fraudulent accounts blocked, fraudulent charges removed, credit restored). Complex cases (synthetic ID theft, multiple fraud waves, tax-related): 6-24 months. Persistent advocacy is essential - some creditors initially deny fraud claims and require multiple submissions. Document everything; keep the FTC report number visible in all communications.

Will I have to pay the fraudulent charges?

No, generally - federal law (FCBA for credit cards, EFTA for debit cards/bank accounts) limits consumer liability for unauthorised charges. Credit cards: $0-$50 max liability. Debit cards: $0 if reported within 2 days, $50 if 2-60 days, up to $500 after 60 days, unlimited after 60 days from the statement showing the unauthorised transaction. With proper documentation (FTC affidavit, police report) creditors typically write off ID-theft-related debt.

Should I hire a credit-repair company or attorney?

Generally not for credit-repair companies - the major credit-repair "industry" has many scams and offers little that you can't do yourself for free. For complex cases or significant damages, a consumer-protection attorney specialising in FCRA can be valuable - especially when furnishers or bureaus continue to report items after proper dispute. Many work on contingency given FCRA fee-shifting. ID-theft specifically: identitytheft.gov resources are free and comprehensive.

Identity Theft Affidavit

Sworn statement of identity theft - for use with creditors, credit bureaus, and law enforcement.

Customise

Victim (you) — full legal name

Current address

DOB

SSN last 4

Phone

Date you discovered the identity theft

How you discovered it

Fraudulent accounts and charges (one per line)

Police report number (if filed)

FTC IdentityTheft.gov report number

Actions already taken (one per line)

Attestation statement

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IDENTITY THEFT AFFIDAVIT

═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

VICTIM IDENTIFICATION

Full legal name: Jordan Alex Taylor
Current address: 482 Elm Street, Apt 3B, Portland, OR 97214
Date of birth: June 12, 1985
SSN (last 4): XXX-XX-1289
Phone: +1 503 555 0118
Email: jordan.taylor@example.com

DISCOVERY

Date of discovery: April 22, 2026

How discovered:

On 2026-04-22, I checked my credit report at annualcreditreport.com and noticed three accounts I did not open:
- Capital One Bank credit card (last 4: 1289), opened 2025-06-15.
- Discover Bank credit card (last 4: 4488), opened 2025-09-22.
- Wells Fargo Bank checking account (last 4: 7821), opened 2026-01-10.
I also received a credit-collection call (later that day) referencing one of these accounts; the collector's details matched the credit-report entries.

FRAUDULENT ACCOUNTS AND ACTIVITY

Capital One Bank credit card #####1289 - opened 2025-06-15 in my name without my knowledge or consent. Current balance per credit report: $1,842.
Discover Bank credit card #####4488 - opened 2025-09-22 without my knowledge. Current balance: $3,650.
Wells Fargo Bank checking #####7821 - opened 2026-01-10 without my knowledge. Activity unknown.
Unauthorised inquiries (hard pulls) on credit report: 4 (between 2025-06 and 2026-01) - all on dates when I did not apply for credit.

REPORTS FILED

Police report: Portland Police Bureau, report #PR-2026-046720, filed 2026-04-23
FTC report (identitytheft.gov): IT-2026-04-22-118432

ACTIONS ALREADY TAKEN

Filed FTC ID-theft report at identitytheft.gov (2026-04-22), generating recovery plan.
Filed police report (2026-04-23, PPB #PR-2026-046720).
Placed 1-year fraud alerts with Experian, Equifax, TransUnion (2026-04-23).
Placed security freezes with all three credit bureaus (2026-04-24).
Notified creditors of fraud: Capital One (case #CFC-2026-44128), Discover (case #DFD-2026-77821), Wells Fargo (case #WFC-2026-118432).
Reviewed bank statements for past 12 months on legitimate accounts - no unauthorised activity.
Changed passwords on all financial accounts and email.
Monitoring credit weekly via free service (creditkarma.com / annualcreditreport.com).

ATTESTATION

I declare under penalty of perjury that I am the victim of identity theft as described above. I did not authorise the opening of, or any charges on, the accounts listed above. I will cooperate fully with creditors and law enforcement to investigate and resolve this fraud. I understand that filing a false identity-theft report is a federal crime under 18 USC §1028A and various state laws.

I, Jordan Alex Taylor, declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the United States that the foregoing is true and correct.

_______________________________ Date: May 5, 2026
Jordan Alex Taylor

NOTARY ACKNOWLEDGEMENT (recommended, often required by creditors)

State of __________________ )
) ss.
County of __________________ )

Sworn to and subscribed before me on May 5, 2026 by Jordan Alex Taylor, who is personally known to me or proved identity to me by satisfactory evidence.

________________________________
Notary Public — signature & seal

My commission expires: ____________________

About this template

An identity-theft affidavit is a sworn statement that triggers specific consumer rights under federal law and forms the foundation for recovery. The federal Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act (FACTA, amending FCRA) created strong rights for ID-theft victims: blocking of fraudulent items from credit reports (FCRA §1681c-2) upon submission of FTC affidavit; right to receive copies of fraud-related transaction records from creditors; right to fraud alerts and security freezes on credit reports. The recommended workflow for an ID-theft victim: (1) File FTC report at identitytheft.gov - generates recovery plan and the official FTC affidavit; (2) File police report - many creditors require it; (3) Place fraud alert (1-year initial, free) with one bureau (which notifies the other two); (4) Place security freeze (free, unlimited) with all three bureaus; (5) Notify each fraudulent-account creditor with the FTC affidavit, police report, and dispute letter; (6) Notify credit bureaus to dispute fraudulent items; (7) Monitor credit weekly via free annual reports staggered across the three bureaus. The IRS has a separate ID-theft affidavit (Form 14039) for tax-related identity theft. Identity theft can extend to medical (someone using your insurance for treatment), criminal (someone using your name when arrested), and synthetic (using your SSN with a different name) - each has its own remediation path. The FTC report is the single most important document; many creditors and bureaus accept it as authoritative for blocking, dispute, and recovery purposes. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (consumerfinance.gov) accepts complaints about creditors that fail to honor ID-theft procedures.

When to use it

Discovery of fraudulent accounts in your name.
Unauthorised charges on existing accounts.
Calls from collectors about debts you didn't incur.
Tax-related identity theft (someone filed a return in your name).
Medical identity theft (someone used your insurance).
Criminal identity theft (someone gave your name when arrested).

What to include

Victim identification (name, DOB, SSN last 4, address).
Discovery date and method.
List of fraudulent accounts and activity.
Police report number.
FTC IdentityTheft.gov report number.
Actions already taken.
Sworn attestation under penalty of perjury.

Frequently asked

For comprehensive recovery, yes. Many creditors require a police report before fully releasing fraudulent charges. State laws vary - some explicitly require police reports for ID-theft remedies. Police reports also help if the case escalates to criminal prosecution. Filing is free and most departments take ID-theft reports by phone or online for non-violent ID theft.

⚠ Legal disclaimer. Identity theft remediation involves federal (FCRA, FACTA, FCBA, EFTA) and state laws. The FTC report at identitytheft.gov is the foundational document. Police reports are commonly required by creditors. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (consumerfinance.gov) accepts complaints. For complex cases (synthetic ID theft, tax fraud, criminal-record contamination), consult a consumer-protection attorney. Avoid most for-pay credit-repair companies - they typically charge for work consumers can do free. Recovery is iterative; persistent documentation is essential.