Financial literacy guide

Identity theft and financial accounts

Identity theft can involve misuse of personal information to open accounts, make transactions or impersonate someone.

Identity theftFraud

Editorial review: August 11, 2026 · Lauren M. Whitfield

Monitor records

Unexpected statements, credit inquiries, new accounts or missing bills can be warning signs.

Secure affected accounts

Use the bank, card issuer or credit bureau's official fraud process rather than responding to unsolicited 'recovery' services.

Keep documentation

Dates, transaction records, case numbers and correspondence can be important when correcting the problem.

Use official recovery resources

The U.S. FTC operates IdentityTheft.gov; other countries have their own reporting and remediation processes.

Educational information only. Use current product terms and the rules that apply in your country. For decisions with significant financial consequences, consider an appropriately qualified professional.