Start by reporting the mail theft to the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS). You can file a report online at uspis.gov or visit your local post office. USPIS is the law enforcement arm of the U.S. Postal Service and is responsible for investigating mail-related crimes.
Next, report the identity theft to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at IdentityTheft.gov. You’ll receive a customized recovery plan and an official Identity Theft Report, which can be used to dispute fraudulent accounts and block false information from your credit file. You should also file a police report with your local department—some creditors require this for identity theft claims.
It’s also critical to notify the credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion) and place a fraud alert or security freeze on your credit reports. A fraud alert tells creditors to verify your identity before opening new accounts, while a freeze blocks access to your credit entirely.
Once these steps are complete, monitor your credit reports regularly and respond quickly to any unauthorized activity. A consumer protection attorney can help you through this process and ensure that your rights are protected if a creditor refuses to remove fraudulent accounts.
