# Someone Took Out a Loan in Your Name. Now What?
Identity theft through fraudulent loans ranks among the most damaging forms of financial crime. When a thief opens a loan account using your name and personal information, the consequences ripple across your credit profile, finances, and peace of mind for months or years.
The first step is verification. Pull your credit reports from Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion at annualcreditreport.com. Look for accounts you did not open, including personal loans, auto loans, and lines of credit. Fraudulent accounts appear on your report and tank your credit score, making legitimate borrowing expensive or impossible.
Once you spot unauthorized debt, contact the lender immediately. Call the phone number on your credit report, not any number the scammer provided. Notify them of the fraud and request they freeze the account and reverse all charges. Get the name of the representative you spoke with and document the conversation date and time.
File a report with the Federal Trade Commission at identitytheft.gov. This creates an official record and generates a recovery plan tailored to your situation. Print your FTC Identity Theft Report, which you can use when disputing fraudulent accounts with creditors and credit bureaus.
Dispute the fraudulent accounts with all three credit bureaus. Send written disputes requesting removal of accounts opened without your authorization. Include copies of your FTC report and any documentation showing the loan was not legitimate. Bureaus have 30 days to investigate and respond.
File a police report in your jurisdiction. Some lenders require this before removing fraudulent debt from your record. Obtain a copy of the report for your records.
Consider a credit freeze with all three bureaus. This prevents thieves from opening new accounts in your name, though you will need to temporarily lift the freeze when applying for legitimate credit.
Monitor your accounts