Someone opened a credit card in my name. What do I do first?

Concerns & risks

You check your credit report and see a card you never opened, with a balance. Someone used your name.

Every day you wait, a thief can open more accounts.

Causes & evidence

This is identity theft. The FTC's recovery plan walks you through it: identity theft recovery.

What to do

1. Call the card issuer's fraud department and close the account.
2. Freeze your credit at Equifax, Experian and TransUnion (free).
3. Report it at IdentityTheft.gov to get a recovery plan and report.
4. Check all three credit reports for other surprise accounts.

Common mistakes: Common mistakes: waiting to see if it 'goes away.' Act fast. Use IdentityTheft.gov for a recovery plan, contact the card issuer's fraud department, and consider a freeze or fraud alert. Keep copies of all reports and letters.

Speed Man tip: Change passwords for email and banking and turn on two-factor login. Email is often the thief's master key.

Wrap-up: Call the issuer's fraud line and close the fake account. Freeze your credit at all three bureaus. Report at IdentityTheft.gov.