What a thief or bad actor can do with your driver's license

A driver's license is one of the most useful pieces of identification a person can steal, because it contains your name, address, date of birth, and a photo that matches your face. Someone with your license can open bank accounts in your name, explore for credit cards, rent an apartment, get a job using your identity, or even get pulled over and claim to be you in court. They can use it to board a plane, rent a car, or pass a background check. The license itself is valuable enough that some people buy and sell stolen ones on the dark web.

The damage spreads quickly because your driver's license is often the first document businesses ask for. A bank teller, a landlord, or an employer will accept it as proof that you are who you say you are — and if someone else is holding it and claiming to be you, they can convince that person to hand over money, sign a lease, or hire them. By the time you notice something is wrong, the person may have already opened accounts, taken out loans, or created a criminal record in your name.

Key Takeaways

  • A stolen driver's license can be used to open bank accounts, explore for credit, rent housing, or commit crimes in your name.
  • The fastest way to stop when ready damage is to report the loss to your state's DMV and request a replacement with a new number.
  • You should also place a fraud alert with the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) to make it harder for someone to open accounts using your information.
  • If you discover fraudulent accounts or activity, file a report with the Federal Trade Commission at IdentityTheft.gov and keep detailed records of what was opened in your name.
  • Freezing your credit with the three bureaus prevents new accounts from being opened without your permission, though you will need to unfreeze it temporarily when you want to explore for credit yourself.

Report the loss to your state DMV when ready

The first step is to contact your state's Department of Motor Vehicles and tell them your license is lost or stolen. You can usually do this online, by phone, or in person at a local DMV office. When you report it, ask for a replacement license with a new number — this is important because it makes the old license useless to anyone who finds it or steals it. A new number means the old one will not work at banks, rental car companies, or airports.

The DMV will issue you a new license, usually within one to two weeks if you go in person, or longer if you order by mail. In the meantime, you can request a temporary paper license that you can use for driving and identification. Keep the confirmation number or receipt from your report — you may need it later if you have to prove you reported the loss.

Place a fraud alert with the credit bureaus

The three major credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — keep records of all credit accounts opened in your name. A fraud alert tells them to contact you before opening any new account, which makes it much harder for someone to use your information to get a credit card or loan. You only need to contact one of the three bureaus, and they will notify the other two automatically.

You can place a fraud alert for free by calling or visiting the website of any of the three bureaus. An initial fraud alert lasts 90 days. If you want longer protection, you can request an extended fraud alert, which lasts seven years and requires you to provide an identity theft report (see the next section). With an extended alert in place, creditors must verify your identity by phone before opening any new account.

File an identity theft report if accounts were opened in your name

If you discover that someone has already opened bank accounts, credit cards, or loans using your information, you need to file an identity theft report. The Federal Trade Commission runs a website called IdentityTheft.gov where you can create a report for free. The report documents what happened, which accounts were opened without your permission, and what steps you have taken to stop the fraud.

Once you have filed the report, you can use it as proof when you contact banks, credit card companies, or other creditors to dispute the fraudulent accounts. You can also give a copy to the police if you want to file a police report, and to the credit bureaus if you want to place an extended fraud alert. Keep copies of everything — the FTC report, letters from creditors, and records of fraudulent accounts — because you may need them to prove the fraud was not your fault.

Dispute fraudulent accounts with creditors

Once you know which accounts were opened in your name, contact each creditor directly and tell them the account is fraudulent. Most credit card companies and banks have a fraud department with a phone number on the back of the card or on their website. When you call, have your identity theft report ready, and be prepared to answer security questions to prove you are the real account holder.

The creditor will investigate your claim, which usually takes 30 to 60 days. During that time, you are not responsible for charges made by the fraudster, though the account may still appear on your credit report. Once the investigation is complete, the creditor should remove the fraudulent account from your report. If they do not, you can dispute it directly with the credit bureaus using the identity theft report as evidence.

Consider a credit freeze for long-term protection

A credit freeze prevents anyone — including you — from opening new accounts using your Social Security number and credit history. When you freeze your credit, the credit bureaus will not release your report to creditors unless you temporarily unfreeze it. This is the strongest protection available, because even someone with your driver's license and Social Security number cannot get a new credit card or loan without your permission.

You can place a credit freeze with all three bureaus for free. The freeze takes effect within one business day and lasts until you remove it. If you want to explore for a credit card, car loan, or mortgage, you will need to unfreeze your credit first, which usually takes a few hours to a day. You can unfreeze for a specific creditor or for a set period of time, then refreeze it when you are done.

Monitor your credit report and accounts regularly

Even after you have reported the loss and placed a fraud alert, you should check your credit report regularly to make sure no new fraudulent accounts appear. You can get a free copy of your credit report from each of the three bureaus once per year at AnnualCreditReport.com, which is the official government website. Stagger your requests — get one report every four months — so you can monitor your credit throughout the year.

You should also set up account alerts with your bank and credit card companies. Most banks offer free alerts that notify you by email or text message whenever someone tries to log into your account, makes a large purchase, or opens a new account. These alerts give you a chance to catch fraud quickly, before the fraudster can do serious damage.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can someone use my driver's license to get a job in my name?

Yes. An employer will usually accept a driver's license as proof of identity and authorization to work. If someone uses your license and Social Security number to get hired, they may create a false employment record in your name, which can affect your tax returns and background checks. If you discover this, report it to the employer and the IRS.

What should I do if I see someone using my driver's license number online?

Report it to the website or service where you saw it, and follow the steps in this article: report to the DMV, place a fraud alert, and file an identity theft report if accounts were opened. If the person is using your license to commit crimes or fraud, you can also file a police report with your local law enforcement agency.

Will my credit score recover after identity theft?

Yes, but it takes time. Fraudulent accounts will damage your score while they are on your report, but once you dispute and remove them, your score should begin to recover within a few months. The longer the fraudulent accounts stay off your report, the faster your score will improve. Rebuilding takes patience, but it does happen.

Do I need to get a new Social Security number after my driver's license is stolen?

Usually no. The Social Security Administration only issues new numbers in rare cases, such as when identity theft is severe and ongoing. A fraud alert and credit freeze are usually enough to protect you. If you are concerned, you can contact the SSA directly to ask whether a new number is necessary in your situation.

What if my driver's license is stolen while I am traveling?

Contact your state's DMV as soon as possible to report it and request a replacement. In the meantime, you can use a passport or passport card for identification and travel. Once you are home, follow the steps in this article to protect your credit and monitor for fraud. Keep your passport in a separate, find location from your wallet.