What to document after an identity event
Identity theft rarely feels like a single moment. It usually unfolds in stages: a strange charge, a rejected loan, a notice from a bank, or a letter you weren’t expecting. What happens next depends less on how bad the theft was and more on how well it’s documented.
This article explains what to document after an identity event, why certain records matter more than others, and the timeline insurers, creditors, and regulators tend to care about most. Identity theft insurance doesn’t replace good documentation—it depends on it.
Create a single, chronological record
The most important step after discovering identity theft is creating a clean paper trail from day one.
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Incident log:
Write down when you first noticed the issue, what tipped you off, and every action you took afterward.
Dates and times matter more than perfect wording.
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Central storage:
Keep all documents in one place—digital folder, cloud drive, or physical binder.
Scattered records slow claims, disputes, and recovery services.
- Reference numbers: Save confirmation numbers from calls, online reports, and filings.
Identity recovery is a documentation problem before it’s a financial one.
Reports that establish the theft
Certain reports act as anchors. Without them, everything else becomes harder to dispute.
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FTC Identity Theft Report:
File at IdentityTheft.gov to create an official federal record.
This report unlocks many consumer protections and dispute rights.
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Police report (when appropriate):
Especially useful when large dollar amounts, repeated fraud, or criminal misuse is involved.
Some creditors require a police report before removing accounts.
- Fraud alerts or credit freezes: Document when alerts or freezes were placed and with which bureaus.
Reports don’t fix identity theft—but they give your claims legal standing.
Receipts, statements, and direct costs
Identity theft insurance reimburses expenses—but only when those expenses are provable.
- Fraudulent charges: Statements showing unauthorized transactions, withdrawals, or new accounts.
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Out-of-pocket costs:
Notary fees, postage, certified mail, credit reports, replacement IDs, and travel costs.
Save receipts—even for small expenses. They add up.
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Lost wages:
Time missed from work to resolve the theft.
Employer verification is often required.
If it isn’t documented, it usually isn’t reimbursable.
Dispute letters and correspondence
Disputes are formal processes, not conversations. Paper wins over phone calls.
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Written disputes:
Copies of letters sent to creditors, banks, and credit bureaus.
Certified mail or secure portals create proof of delivery.
- Responses received: Approval letters, denials, investigations notices, and account closures.
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Deadlines:
Note response windows and investigation timelines.
Missing a deadline can reset the process.
Identity disputes are won by timelines, not tone.
What identity theft insurance typically asks for
Identity theft policies focus on restoration costs, not stolen money itself.
- Proof of identity theft: FTC report, police report, or creditor confirmation.
- Expense documentation: Receipts, invoices, and wage verification.
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Timeline summary:
A simple chronology of events and actions taken.
This is often more important than volume of paperwork.
Identity theft insurance pays for recovery—not for reconstruction of missing records.
What matters most, and when
Identity events stretch over time, but certain windows carry outsized importance.
- First 7 days: File FTC report, place fraud alerts/freezes, notify affected institutions.
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First 30–60 days:
Dispute fraudulent accounts, submit insurance claims, document expenses.
Many consumer protections assume prompt action.
- 3–12 months: Monitor credit reports, resolve lingering disputes, respond to follow-up requests.
Fast reporting protects rights; steady documentation protects outcomes.
Common documentation questions
Do I need a police report?
Not always, but it strengthens disputes and is required by some creditors and insurers.
Should I keep records after the issue is “resolved”?
Yes. Identity theft can resurface months or years later.
Are phone calls enough?
No. Always follow up verbally with written confirmation.
Documentation is the recovery strategy
Identity theft is exhausting, but it’s also procedural. Reports establish legitimacy. Receipts justify reimbursement. Dispute letters enforce deadlines. When documentation is clean and chronological, identity theft insurance, creditors, and regulators can do their jobs—and resolution becomes far more likely.