How to Get a 720 Credit Score After Identity Theft

Identity theft is one of the fastest-growing financial crimes in the world today. With the rise of digital transactions, data breaches, and sophisticated cyber scams, millions of people fall victim to identity theft every year. The aftermath can be devastating—especially when it comes to your credit score. A stolen identity can lead to fraudulent accounts, unauthorized loans, and a plummeting credit score.

But here’s the good news: rebuilding your credit to a 720 score (or higher) after identity theft is absolutely possible. It takes time, persistence, and the right strategies. Below, we’ll break down the exact steps to recover, dispute fraudulent activity, and rebuild your credit like a pro.

Understanding the Damage: How Identity Theft Affects Your Credit

Before you can fix your credit, you need to understand how identity theft impacts it. Fraudsters may:

• Open new credit cards in your name
• Take out loans you never applied for
• Max out existing accounts
• Miss payments on fraudulent accounts

All these actions can tank your credit score. A single missed payment can drop your score by 100+ points, and multiple hard inquiries from fraudulent loan applications can further damage it.

The First 48 Hours: Immediate Steps to Take

1. Freeze Your Credit
   Contact the three major credit bureaus—Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion—and place a fraud alert or credit freeze. This prevents new accounts from being opened in your name.

2. File a Police Report
   While it may seem unnecessary, a police report strengthens your case when disputing fraudulent accounts with creditors.

3. Report to the FTC
   Visit IdentityTheft.gov to file an official report. This creates a recovery plan and provides legal documentation.

Disputing Fraudulent Accounts

Once you’ve secured your credit, the next step is removing fraudulent activity from your reports.

Step 1: Get Your Credit Reports

Request free copies from AnnualCreditReport.com. Review each report carefully for:
- Accounts you didn’t open
- Inquiries you didn’t authorize
- Incorrect personal information

Step 2: Dispute Errors with Credit Bureaus

File disputes online or via certified mail. Include:
- A copy of your FTC report
- Police report (if available)
- Proof of identity

Pro Tip: Follow up in writing—many disputes are initially denied due to automated systems.

Step 3: Dispute Directly with Creditors

Contact the banks or lenders associated with fraudulent accounts. Provide the same documentation and request account closure.

Rebuilding Your Credit to 720+

Now comes the long-term strategy to rebuild your score.

1. Pay All Legitimate Bills on Time

Payment history is 35% of your FICO score. Set up autopay for minimum payments to avoid late fees.

2. Reduce Credit Utilization

Aim to keep balances below 30% of your limit (ideally under 10%). If fraudsters maxed out your cards, pay them down ASAP.

3. Add Positive Credit History

• Become an authorized user on a trusted family member’s account.
• Apply for a secured credit card if your score is below 600.
• Consider a credit-builder loan from a credit union.

4. Monitor Your Credit Religiously

Use free services like Credit Karma or your bank’s credit monitoring tool. Check for new suspicious activity monthly.

Protecting Yourself from Future Fraud

• Enable two-factor authentication on financial accounts.
• Use a password manager to create strong, unique passwords.
• Shred sensitive documents before disposal.
• Avoid public Wi-Fi for banking—use a VPN instead.

Rebuilding credit after identity theft isn’t easy, but with discipline and the right approach, a 720+ score is within reach. Stay vigilant, dispute inaccuracies aggressively, and focus on positive financial habits. Your credit will recover—stronger than before.