Discovering your identity has been used fraudulently — a credit application you didn't make, an account opened in your name — is deeply unsettling. Acting in the right order makes recovery faster and limits further damage.
1. Contact affected banks and lenders immediately to freeze accounts and dispute fraudulent activity.
2. Place a freeze on your credit file with all three UK credit reference agencies (Experian, Equifax, TransUnion) to prevent new credit being opened in your name.
3. Report it to Action Fraud's successor, Report Fraud, at reportfraud.police.uk or 0300 123 2040, and obtain a crime reference number.
4. Register with CIFAS (via their Protective Registration service) for additional fraud protection on your credit file.
5. Check your credit report thoroughly for any other accounts or applications you don't recognise.
6. Change passwords on all your important accounts, starting with email, since it's usually the recovery route into everything else.
7. Keep a written record of every call, reference number, and date — you'll likely need this for multiple institutions.
Continue checking your credit report periodically for several months after the initial incident, as fraudulent activity can sometimes surface later.
Consider removing your data from data broker sites to reduce the information available for future targeting.
Follow the checklist above in order. Citizens Advice can also provide free guidance if you're unsure of any step.
We send weekly alerts about the latest scam campaigns targeting UK residents
Removing your data from broker sites makes it harder for your identity to be misused again in the future.
Start Removing My Data