buildmyevidence · guide
How to Document Identity Theft
The short answer: To document identity theft, keep a dated record of every fraudulent charge or account, log every phone call with the date, time, name, and what was said, and save your reports — including your FTC report and police report — and all correspondence. Clearing your name comes down to the paper trail, so a complete, dated record is what proves the fraud and stops the damage.
Identity theft is a mess to clean up, and organization is what gets you through it. This guide shows you how.
What should I do first if my identity is stolen?
Act quickly on the essentials: report it to the FTC (at IdentityTheft.gov in the US), file a police report, and contact your banks and the credit bureaus. Then — and this is the part that protects you through the whole process — start a dated record of every step and every contact. The FTC report and police report become key anchors in your documentation.
What should I document?
- Every fraudulent charge or account, with dates.
- Your FTC report and police report.
- A dated log of every phone call: date, time, who you spoke to, and what was said.
- All letters and correspondence with banks, bureaus, and companies.
- Every dispute you file and its outcome.
Why is a dated record so important here?
Because clearing identity theft involves many institutions, many calls, and many disputes over weeks or months — and things fall through the cracks without a record. A dated log lets you track what you've reported, what's been resolved, and what's still outstanding. It's also your proof, if a company claims a charge is valid, that you reported it as fraud and when.
Why log every phone call?
Because you'll make many calls to banks, bureaus, and companies, and you'll be told different things by different people. Note the date, time, the name of who you spoke to, and what they said — especially any promise to remove a charge, close an account, or send confirmation. Your dated log is your proof and your memory when you follow up.
How does documentation help me recover?
It gives you a single, organized record to work from — so each dispute you file is backed by your FTC report, your police report, and a clear history of the fraud. Institutions respond faster to organized, documented claims, and your record protects you if any fraudulent debt resurfaces later. Good documentation is what turns a chaotic situation into a manageable one.
When should I start documenting?
The moment you discover the fraud. A dated trail from the start is far stronger than trying to reconstruct weeks of calls and disputes from memory. Start with your FTC and police reports and record every step from there.
Frequently asked questions
How do I document identity theft?
Keep a dated record of every fraudulent charge and account, log every phone call (name, date, time, what was said), and save your police report, FTC report, and all correspondence.
What should I do first if my identity is stolen?
Report it to the FTC at IdentityTheft.gov, file a police report, and contact your banks and credit bureaus — then keep a dated record of every step and every call.
What should I document?
Every fraudulent charge or account, all calls to banks and bureaus, your police and FTC reports, dispute letters, and any correspondence — all dated.
When should I start documenting?
The moment you discover the fraud. A dated trail is far stronger than reconstructing weeks of phone calls from memory.
General information, not legal advice. Laws vary by location. For your situation, consult a qualified lawyer or your consumer protection agency.