Your Credit Was Wrecked by Identity Theft. Here's Exactly What to Do Next.

Identity theft is one of the fastest-growing crimes in Washington State. If someone has opened accounts in your name, filed tax returns, or run up debt you never knew about — your credit score is taking hits for crimes you didn't commit. Here's how to fight back.

How Bad Can Identity Theft Really Be?

Victims we've worked with at FixMyScoreNow have seen their scores drop 100 to 200 points overnight from a single fraudulent account. Because thieves often open multiple accounts simultaneously, the damage compounds fast — multiple hard inquiries, high balances, and eventually collections, all in your name.

Step 1: Place a Fraud Alert on Your Credit Reports

Contact any one of the three major bureaus and request a fraud alert — by law, they must notify the other two. A fraud alert requires lenders to take extra steps to verify your identity before opening any new account in your name.

• Initial Fraud Alert: Free, lasts 1 year, renewable.
• Extended Fraud Alert: Free, lasts 7 years, available to confirmed identity theft victims.
• Credit Freeze: More powerful — completely blocks new credit from being opened. Free at all three bureaus under federal law.

Step 2: File an FTC Identity Theft Report

Go to IdentityTheft.gov and file an official report. This creates a legally recognized Identity Theft Report, which is your most powerful tool for disputing fraudulent accounts. Credit bureaus and creditors are required to take special action when they receive a dispute accompanied by an FTC Identity Theft Report — including blocking the fraudulent information within 4 business days.

Step 3: File a Police Report (Optional but Powerful)

Filing a local police report in Seattle or your city creates an official record and can be required by some creditors before they'll close fraudulent accounts. It also qualifies you for an Extended Fraud Alert (7 years) with the credit bureaus, which provides long-term protection.

Step 4: Dispute Every Fraudulent Account

Send dispute letters to each bureau where fraudulent accounts appear. Include:

• Your FTC Identity Theft Report
• A copy of your government-issued ID
• Proof of your address (utility bill, bank statement)
• A clear list of every account you're disputing with specific reasons

Send everything certified mail with return receipt. Bureaus must block the fraudulent information within 4 business days of receiving your FTC report — and cannot re-report it without notifying you.

Step 5: Contact Each Creditor Directly

Don't only dispute with the bureaus. Contact each creditor where a fraudulent account was opened. Request their fraud department, ask them to close the account immediately and confirm it won't appear on your credit reports. Get a confirmation number and follow up in writing.

Step 6: Monitor for New Fraudulent Activity

Once you've addressed existing fraud, stay vigilant. Sign up for free credit monitoring, check your reports quarterly, and keep your credit freeze active until you're confident the threat is resolved. Washington State law allows you to place and lift credit freezes at any time for free.

When Professional Help Makes Sense

If you have more than 2–3 fraudulent accounts, if bureaus are being unresponsive, or if the fraud has been ongoing for months, professional intervention can cut the recovery timeline dramatically. FixMyScoreNow has handled dozens of identity theft cases in the Seattle area. We know the exact documentation required and the escalation paths that get results fast.