An offence that does not exist everywhere
Many countries have no standalone offence of identity theft: what is prosecuted is the fraud committed afterwards — deception, forgery, unauthorised access to a computer. Others have created a specific offence that bites before any financial loss appears, as soon as the identity information is obtained or used. The difference changes how you write the report: in the first case you must describe the fraudulent act, in the second the use of your identity is enough.
The order of steps, which matters more than the law
Three priorities, in this order. First the email account: it resets everything else, and until it is secured nothing else is safe. Then the payment instruments: block them immediately and confirm in writing, because in almost every system reimbursement depends on how fast you reported. Finally the credit and identity files: asking what is recorded in your name is the only way to discover accounts opened by someone else.
The phone is the main way in
A growing share of fraud runs through the phone number: a hijacked line, a duplicated SIM, intercepted one-time codes. The warning sign is simple and widely ignored: an unexplained loss of network while the handset still works. If that happens, call the operator from another phone immediately. Where money moves by mobile, the window to stop a transfer is measured in minutes.
Repair takes longer than the fraud
The long part is not the fraud, it is putting things right: removing incorrect entries, cancelling contracts, proving that an application was not yours. Two rules help. Everything in writing, with proof of posting, never by phone alone. And a single chronological file holding every letter, reference and acknowledgement: it is that file, not the police report, that everyone will ask you for.
The single most protective step
Where it is available, place a freeze or block on new credit in your name with the credit bureaus or a fraud prevention service. It stops more fraudulent applications than anything else and is usually free. Note the expiry date: these blocks are often temporary and lapse without warning.
The law country by country
The legal framework, the procedure, the time limits and the costs differ from one country to another. Each country below has a detailed page: governing texts, key facts, the actual procedure, costs, where to go and the traps to avoid.
Select a country to open its detailed page.