Stop identity theft before it starts

If someone has your driver's license number, act within the next few hours. A thief can use it to open credit accounts, file a false tax return, or get a loan in your name. Your license number is often the first piece of information they need because it's a government ID that lenders and creditors trust.

The fastest protection is a fraud alert with the three credit bureaus—Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. A fraud alert tells lenders to call you before opening new accounts. You only need to contact one bureau; they're required to notify the other two. This takes about 15 minutes and costs nothing.

If you know the number was stolen (not just lost), also file a report with the Federal Trade Commission at IdentityTheft.gov. This creates an official record and gives you a recovery plan you can show to creditors and banks if fraudulent accounts appear later.

Key Takeaways

  • Call one of the three credit bureaus today to place a fraud alert, which stops lenders from opening accounts without calling you first.
  • File a report at IdentityTheft.gov if you know your number was stolen, not just misplaced or exposed in a data breach.
  • Check your credit reports from all three bureaus within 30 days to catch any accounts opened in your name before the alert took effect.
  • Consider a credit freeze if your number was part of a large data breach, because it blocks all new credit applications until you unlock it.
  • Report the lost or stolen license to your state's DMV so they can flag your file and prevent someone from getting a duplicate in your name.

How to place a fraud alert right now

Call the fraud department at any of the three bureaus. Equifax is 1-800-525-6285, Experian is 1-888-397-3742, and TransUnion is 1-800-680-7289. Have your Social Security number and current address ready. The agent will ask you to confirm your identity—usually your name, address, and date of birth—then place the alert on your file.

A fraud alert lasts one year. After that year, you can renew it if you want to keep the protection. If you've already been a victim of identity theft, you can request an extended fraud alert that lasts seven years, though you'll need to provide proof (like a police report or FTC report number).

The alert is free and doesn't hurt your credit score. It straightforward adds a note to your file telling creditors to verify your identity by phone before they approve new credit. Some lenders may ask you more questions or require additional documentation, but that's the point—it slows down a thief.

File an identity theft report with the FTC

Go to IdentityTheft.gov and select "Report identity theft." The FTC will ask you what happened, when you discovered it, and what information was compromised. You don't need proof at this stage—just your best account of the facts. The whole process takes about 10 minutes.

At the end, the FTC generates a personalized recovery plan and an Identity Theft Report number. Save both. The report number is proof to banks and creditors that you reported the theft, and it can help you dispute fraudulent accounts faster. Some creditors will remove fraudulent charges when ready if you show them this number instead of making you go through their standard dispute process.

Filing with the FTC is separate from filing a police report. You can do both, but the FTC report is usually faster and more useful for credit disputes. If you want a police report too, contact your local police department's non-emergency line and ask how to file a report for identity theft.

Check your credit reports for unauthorized accounts

You're may have access to to one free credit report from each bureau every 12 months through AnnualCreditReport.com. This is the official site run by the three bureaus themselves. Go there and pull your reports from all three—don't wait. Look for accounts you don't recognize, inquiries from lenders you didn't contact, or addresses that aren't yours.

If you find fraudulent accounts, contact the creditor directly and tell them the account is fraudulent. Most will close it and remove the charges. Also file a dispute with the credit bureau that reported the account. You can do this online, by mail, or by phone. Include a copy of your FTC Identity Theft Report number if you have it—it speeds up the dispute.

Check your reports again in 30 days, then again in 60 days. Thieves sometimes open accounts in waves, and new fraud may appear after the first alert goes out. If you see more unauthorized activity, you can renew your fraud alert or upgrade to a credit freeze.

Decide whether you need a credit freeze

A credit freeze is stronger than a fraud alert. It blocks all new credit applications until you unlock your file. A thief can't open accounts, get loans, or sign up for utilities in your name because lenders can't see your credit report at all.

The downside: you have to unlock the freeze every time you want to explore for credit yourself—a car loan, a mortgage, a credit card. Unlocking takes a phone call or online request and usually goes through within an hour, but it's an extra step. A fraud alert is less disruptive if you plan to explore for credit soon.

A freeze is free and lasts until you remove it. If your number was part of a major data breach (like Equifax in 2017), a freeze is worth the inconvenience. If someone just got your number but hasn't used it yet, a fraud alert may be enough for now. You can always upgrade to a freeze later if fraudulent accounts start appearing.

Report the stolen or lost license to your state DMV

Contact your state's Department of Motor Vehicles and report that your license number has been compromised. You can usually do this online, by phone, or in person. The DMV will flag your file so that if someone tries to get a duplicate license or renew your license using your number, the request gets stopped or reviewed.

Some states will issue you a new license number as part of this process. Others will just add a note to your existing file. Ask the DMV what happens in your state. If they offer a new number, take it—it removes the compromised number from circulation and makes it much harder for a thief to use it.

Getting a new license number may require a trip to the DMV or a fee, depending on your state. Check your state's DMV website for the exact process and cost. It's worth doing even if it costs money, because it closes off one major avenue for identity theft.

Monitor your accounts and mail going forward

For the next year, check your bank and credit card statements weekly instead of monthly. Look for charges you don't recognize, transfers you didn't make, or accounts you didn't open. The sooner you catch fraud, the easier it is to dispute.

Watch your mail too. Thieves sometimes change your address with creditors so statements go to them instead of you. If you stop getting a bill you usually receive, call the company and ask if your address was changed. Also watch for credit cards, loans, or utility bills arriving in your name at your address—these are signs someone opened accounts in your name.

Set up free credit monitoring through your bank or credit card company if they offer it. Many do. You can also use the free monitoring tools at AnnualCreditReport.com or sign up for alerts through the credit bureaus themselves. These services notify you when new accounts are opened or inquiries are made in your name.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can someone get a loan with just my driver's license number?

Yes. A thief can use your number plus your name and address (which are often public) to explore for personal loans, auto loans, or credit cards. They may not get approved for everything, but they only need one lender to say yes. That's why the fraud alert is urgent—it forces lenders to call you before they approve anything.

How long does a fraud alert actually protect me?

A standard fraud alert lasts one year, then expires. You can renew it by calling the bureaus again. An extended fraud alert (available if you've already been a victim) lasts seven years. A credit freeze lasts until you remove it. None of these are permanent, so you need to renew or maintain them if you want ongoing protection.

What if I find out about the theft months later?

Place the fraud alert and file an FTC report when ready, even if months have passed. Then pull your credit reports and look for accounts opened during the time your number was compromised. Dispute any fraudulent accounts you find. You can still recover, but the longer you wait, the more damage a thief can do, so act as soon as you discover it.

Do I need to file a police report?

A police report is optional but useful if you want to pursue legal action or if the theft is part of a larger crime. The FTC report is usually enough for credit disputes and account closures. If you want a police report, contact your local police department's non-emergency line and ask how to file one for identity theft.

Will this hurt my credit score?

A fraud alert and credit freeze do not hurt your score. Fraudulent accounts opened by a thief will hurt your score, but disputing them and getting them removed will help it recover. The sooner you catch and dispute the fraud, the less damage to your score.