Benefits and financial accounts

Here are some recommendations on what to do with fraudulent activity connected to your bank accounts, school loans, government benefits and investment accounts.


1. Bank Checking Accounts

  • Order a free copy of your ChexSystems consumer disclosure report to look over information about your credit. This way, you can confirm if someone has created a fraudulent checking account in your name. To request a report, visit www.chexsystems.com (or contact ChexSystems at 1-800-428-9623).
  • After reviewing the report, contact every financial institution where a new account was opened. Ask them to close the accounts.
A consumer disclosure report is a full credit report which contains all the details of your credit history from payment history, balances, personal information, and even all credit inquiries.

2. Fraudulent school loans

  • If someone has taken out a school loan with your identity, contact the school or program that opened the loan. Explain the situation, ask them to close the loan and tell them to send you a letter that says you aren't responsible for the loan (so you have written documentation).
  • For federal student loans, contact the U.S. Department of Education Office of Inspector General hotline at 1-800-647-8733.
  • If the steps above don’t resolve your situation, contact the U.S. Department of Education Federal Student Aid Ombudsman at 1-877-557-2575.

3. Government benefits

  • Contact the agency that issued the government benefit and explain that someone stole your identity. You can find local government agencies at usa.gov/local-governments.
  • For Social Security benefits, contact the SSA Office of the Inspector General at oig.ssa.gov (or CALL 1-800-269-0271).
  • If you stopped receiving your benefits because of identity theft, ask what you need to do to get them reinstated. You may need to appear in person or send something in writing.