How to Report Identity Theft

Many police departments don't want to deal with identity theft. So one of the first things you're faced with as a victim of fraud is, "How should I report identity theft to police.?"

Police don't want to ignore crime. But identity theft isn't like the physical crimes most law enforcement officers are used to dealing with. Most evidence of ID Theft activity happens in the realm of electronic databases and paper transactions.

ID Theft investigations typically take a good bit of time and man-hours. Local police can't possibly investigate most crimes that stem from identity theft -- there just isn't enough money or resources.

If your local police resist the idea of filling out an official police report then politely insist. One reason the police may resist filling out a report is because they think you expect them to exert a lot of time and effort investigating the crime. That, of course, is unlikely to happen.

Explain to the police that having a report for "informational purposes" is vital to clearing your credit profile ... and legally protecting yourself from any crimes committed in your name by the identity thief. You can also explain the credit reporting agencies and credit grantors expect a police report to clear a credit profile tainted by identity theft. Prospective employers and future credit issuers also need to understand that you're the victim of a genuine, serious crime.

If the police official tells you a credit grantor must report the crime before police can file a report then politely inform them this isn't the case. Show them a copy of Federal Law Code 18 USC 1028a -- the "Identity Theft and Assumption Deterrence Act.A law that makes identity theft a "federal" offense against consumers." Identity theft is a felony under applicable state laws too.

Tell them you need a police report for credit grantors to truly know you're a victim of a serious crime, which is recognized by both Federal and State agencies. You can also explain that many creditor grantors don't bother reporting identity theft because it happens so often they write it off as a cost of doing business.

If you're a victim of identity fraud then credit issuers are going to expect you to prove that accounts you dispute weren't really yours to begin with. A police report is needed for these basic reasons. If you're persistent then you should be able to find a police official who sympathizes with your dilemma.