After discovering identity theft, which step should a client take first?

Filing an identity theft report is a crucial first step for a client who has discovered that they have been a victim of identity theft. This report serves as an official document that establishes the occurrence of identity theft and can be vital in rectifying the situation. It is often required by creditors and financial institutions as part of the process to dispute fraudulent accounts or transactions. Additionally, an identity theft report can help in obtaining a fraud alert on credit reports and may be necessary when pursuing legal actions against the perpetrator.

Taking this step first ensures that the client has a formal account of the identity theft, which can simplify interactions with creditors and law enforcement later. While notifying creditors, changing passwords, and alerting the police are all important steps in responding to identity theft, having an official report in place provides a stronger foundation for subsequent actions.