If you discover that someone is using your Social Security number, knowing exactly who to call and what forms to fill out is critical. Reporting the crime creates a legal paper trail that protects you from being held financially responsible for debts and taxes you do not owe.
Because criminals can use your SSN for different types of fraud—from opening credit cards to stealing your tax refund—there is no single phone number to fix everything. This guide explains exactly how to report SSN identity theft to the correct government agencies and financial institutions.
Quick Answer: Where to Report Identity Theft Immediately
If someone is actively using your SSN, you must report the fraud to three primary entities immediately:
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The Federal Trade Commission (FTC): Go to IdentityTheft.gov to create your official Identity Theft Report.
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The Three Major Credit Bureaus: Contact Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion to place a fraud alert, then freeze your credit at all three.
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The Fraud Departments of Affected Businesses: Call any company where a fraudulent account was opened to report the crime and close the account.
Step 1: How to Report to the FTC
The Federal Trade Commission is the primary federal agency responsible for tracking consumer identity theft. Reporting the crime to the FTC is your most important step because it generates an Identity Theft Report—the legal document you need to force businesses to remove fraudulent charges from your name.
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What to do: Visit IdentityTheft.gov, the federal government’s official portal.
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The process: You will answer a series of questions about how your SSN was misused (e.g., credit card fraud, utility fraud, tax fraud).
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What you get: The system will generate your official Identity Theft Report and a customized, step-by-step recovery plan. Save and print this report; you will need to send copies of it to creditors and credit bureaus.
Step 2: How to Report to the Credit Bureaus
If a criminal is using your SSN to open credit cards or take out loans, you must report the fraud to the credit reporting agencies to stop the bleeding and repair your credit score.
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Place a Fraud Alert: Call the fraud department of just one of the three major bureaus (Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion). By federal law, the bureau you contact is required to notify the other two. This alert tells lenders they must verify your identity before issuing new credit.
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Freeze Your Credit: For stronger protection, you must report to each of the three bureaus individually to place a credit freeze. This locks your credit file entirely so no new accounts can be opened.
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Dispute Fraudulent Accounts: Send a formal dispute letter to all three bureaus listing the fraudulent accounts. Include a copy of your FTC Identity Theft Report to legally compel them to remove the fake accounts from your file.
Step 3: How to Report Tax Fraud to the IRS
If you try to file your tax return and it is rejected because someone already filed using your SSN, you are a victim of tax identity theft. You must report this directly to the Internal Revenue Service.
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What to do: Complete IRS Form 14039 (Identity Theft Affidavit).
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How to submit it: Attach the completed form to the back of your paper tax return and mail it to the IRS location listed in the form’s instructions. (If you received a specific letter from the IRS about the fraud, follow the mailing instructions on that letter instead).
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Prevention: After reporting the theft, request an Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN) from the IRS website. This six-digit PIN ensures no one can file a future tax return under your SSN without your authorization.
Step 4: How to Report Employment Fraud to the SSA
If a criminal uses your SSN to pass a background check and get a job, their wages will be reported under your number. This can falsely inflate your income and cause major tax issues.
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What to do: Check your official earnings record by logging into your “my Social Security” account at SSA.gov.
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How to report: If you see income from an employer you never worked for, call the Social Security Administration fraud hotline at 1-800-269-0271 or contact your local SSA office. They will help you review your file and remove the fraudulent earnings from your lifetime record.
When to Report to Local Police
In the past, victims were always told to file a local police report. Today, the FTC’s Identity Theft Report is legally sufficient to resolve most financial fraud. However, you should file a police report if:
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You know the person who stole your SSN (such as a relative or former roommate).
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The criminal used your name and SSN during a traffic stop, arrest, or court proceeding (criminal identity theft).
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A specific bank or creditor refuses to accept the FTC report and explicitly demands a local police report to close a fraudulent account.
What Not to Do
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Do not delay. The longer you wait to report the theft to the credit bureaus and the FTC, the harder it is to untangle the financial mess.
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Do not rely on phone calls alone. When reporting fraud to banks, credit card companies, or credit bureaus, always follow up your phone call with a certified letter that includes a copy of your FTC Identity Theft Report. Keep copies of everything.
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Do not pay a scammer’s debt. If a debt collector calls about an account opened with your stolen SSN, do not pay it just to make them go away. Paying validates the debt. Instead, inform the collector that the debt is the result of identity theft and send them your FTC report.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a specific phone number to report SSN theft?
There is no single hotline to resolve all SSN identity theft because different agencies handle different types of fraud. However, your first stop should always be IdentityTheft.gov (the FTC’s official portal) to generate your primary recovery document.
Will the Social Security Administration give me a new number?
Reporting a stolen SSN does not automatically get you a new one. The SSA rarely issues replacement numbers. They will only consider doing so if you can prove you are facing severe, ongoing financial harm that cannot be resolved after you have exhausted all other recovery options (like credit freezes and FTC reports).
How do I report SSN theft if my child is the victim?
Child identity theft is common because a child’s SSN has a clean credit history. If your child’s SSN is stolen, you must contact the three credit bureaus directly to see if a credit file exists for them. If one does, you will need to place a freeze on their file and report the fraud to the FTC on their behalf.
How long does it take for the fraud to be removed from my record?
Once you provide a valid FTC Identity Theft Report to the credit bureaus, federal law requires them to block the fraudulent information from appearing on your credit report within four business days. However, resolving complex cases with the IRS or SSA can take several months.
Final Takeaway
Reporting SSN identity theft requires communicating with multiple organizations, but the process is highly structured. Always start by securing your credit files with the three major bureaus and generating an official Identity Theft Report at IdentityTheft.gov. With that document in hand, you hold the legal leverage required to force businesses and government agencies to clear your name.