Identity Theft Block (FCRA §605B): Complete Guide with Templates

Why §605B exists

In 2003 Congress added §605B to the FCRA specifically to give identity theft victims a faster remedy than the standard 30-day dispute process. Under §605B, once you provide the bureau with an Identity Theft Report and a sworn statement that an account is fraudulent, the bureau must block the disputed item within 4 business days.

This is the single fastest credit-report remedy in the entire FCRA. The standard dispute process takes 30+ days. §605B takes 4 business days. The catch: it requires a real, documented identity-theft event — you cannot use it for accounts you opened and don't want to pay.

What qualifies as identity theft

The FTC's definition under §603(q)(3): "a fraud committed or attempted using the identifying information of another person without authority." That includes:

• Someone opened a new credit card, loan, or bank account in your name.
• Someone used your existing account or card without permission.
• Someone filed a tax return, applied for government benefits, or got medical treatment using your identity.
• Someone gave your name and SSN to law enforcement during an arrest.

What does NOT qualify: you opened an account, regret it, and want it removed. Filing a false §605B claim is itself a federal crime under 18 U.S.C. §1028 and 18 U.S.C. §1001.

Step 1 — File the FTC Identity Theft Report

Go to identitytheft.gov (the FTC's official site). Fill out the affidavit covering:

• Your identifying information.
• Each fraudulent account, with creditor name, account number, and date opened.
• How you discovered the fraud.
• Any contact you've had with the creditor about the fraud.

The FTC site generates a printable Identity Theft Report at the end. Save the PDF — this is the document the bureau and creditors will require.

Step 2 — File a police report (recommended)

Some bureaus and creditors require a police report in addition to the FTC affidavit. Even when not required, a police report adds substantial weight to your dispute. Most local police departments will take a report by phone or online; ask for a copy with a case number.

Step 3 — Place a fraud alert (free, takes 5 minutes)

Call any one of the three bureaus' fraud-alert hotline. The bureau you call must notify the other two (FCRA §605A(a)(1)(B)).

• Equifax: 800-525-6285
• Experian: 888-397-3742
• TransUnion: 800-680-7289

The initial fraud alert lasts 1 year. If you have an FTC Identity Theft Report, you can request an extended fraud alert that lasts 7 years.

Step 4 — Send the §605B block request

Send to each bureau (certified mail) with these attachments:

• Copy of your FTC Identity Theft Report.
• Copy of your government-issued photo ID.
• Copy of one utility bill or bank statement at your current address.
• Copy of the police report (if filed).

    [Your name]
    [Address]
    [Today's date]
    
    [Bureau name and identity theft block address]
    
    Re: Identity Theft Block request — FCRA §605B
    
    I am the victim of identity theft. The accounts listed below
    appear on my credit report but were opened or used without my
    authorization. Pursuant to my rights under §605B of the Fair
    Credit Reporting Act, 15 U.S.C. §1681c-2, I am requesting that
    you BLOCK these items from my credit report within 4 business
    days of receipt of this letter.
    
    Fraudulent accounts:
      1. [Creditor name] — Account ending [last 4] — opened [date]
      2. [Creditor name] — Account ending [last 4] — opened [date]
    
    Attached:
      - FTC Identity Theft Report (Affidavit #[number])
      - Government-issued photo ID
      - Proof of current address
      - Police report (Case #[number]) — if applicable
    
    I certify under penalty of perjury that I have not authorized,
    nor benefited from, any of the listed transactions.
    
    [Signature]
    [Printed name]
    

Step 5 — Notify each creditor directly

While the bureau processes the block, send a parallel letter to each creditor citing FCRA §623(a)(6) (the furnisher's duty when notified of identity theft). The creditor must:

• Stop reporting the disputed account to the bureaus.
• Not transfer the debt to a collector.
• Investigate and provide you with copies of any application, signature, or transaction records.

Step 6 — Consider a credit freeze

A credit freeze is now free at all three bureaus and stops new credit from being opened in your name without your active consent. Unlike a fraud alert (which is a flag asking creditors to verify identity), a freeze is a hard lock. You can lift it temporarily when you need to apply for credit yourself.

Recommended: place a freeze at all three bureaus AFTER you've placed the §605B block requests, so the block process completes first. Otherwise the freeze can complicate file access for the dispute.

What the bureau must do under §605B

Within 4 business days of receiving a complete §605B request:

• Block the disputed information from your credit report.
• Notify the furnisher of each blocked account.
• Send you written confirmation of the block.

The block remains until: (a) you withdraw it, (b) the bureau determines the block was based on a material misrepresentation, OR (c) you knowingly received goods or services from the disputed transaction. The bar for unblocking is high — bureaus rarely reverse §605B blocks.

Common mistakes

• Filing §605B without an FTC Identity Theft Report. The bureau can refuse the block without it. Always file the FTC affidavit first.
• Listing accounts you opened legitimately. This is fraud and can result in criminal liability.
• Not freezing credit afterward. The thief may still have your SSN. A freeze prevents future abuse.
• Not changing your IRS PIN / opening a new bank account. Identity theft rarely stops at credit cards.

Bottom line

§605B is the FCRA's emergency brake. Used correctly — with a real FTC Identity Theft Report, real documentation, and a clear list of fraudulent accounts — it removes items from your credit report in 4 business days, faster than any other remedy. Combine it with a fraud alert, direct creditor notifications under §623(a)(6), and a free credit freeze, and you can stop ongoing identity theft within a single business week.