Can someone steal your identity with your ID?

What information is on your ID?

A driver’s license or state ID may feel like a simple card, but it contains enough verified personal information for someone to misuse your identity. That’s why losing it or having it stolen creates real risk.

Most government-issued IDs include:

• Full legal name
• Date of birth
• Home address
• ID or driver’s license number
• Physical description (height, weight, and eye color)
• Signature
• Photo

Many institutions still use these details for verification. That’s why scammers treat a stolen ID as a highly valuable item — sometimes even more valuable than a credit card, which you can quickly cancel.

Can someone steal your identity with your ID?

A scammer can use your ID to steal your identity. The details printed on your driver’s license or state ID are exactly the pieces criminals rely on to pose as you. With this information, they can open new bank accounts, reset access to existing ones, or combine your data with other stolen information to commit identity fraud.

The severity depends on what other personal or financial information the thief has, but the ID alone is often enough to start the process.

What can someone do with your stolen ID?

A stolen ID gives a criminal access to some of your most sensitive personally identifiable information (PII): your name, date of birth, driver’s license number, and signature. Read on to find out what scammers can do with this information.

Steal your identity and open financial accounts

Your personal information has real value to scammers, and its exposure can lead to identity theft. With your name, address, date of birth, and ID or driver’s license number, a criminal may attempt to open credit cards, apply for personal loans, or get mobile phone plans.

If lenders don’t require stronger identity verification, this financial identity theft can succeed, leaving you responsible for charges you didn’t make.

Create fake IDs and forged documents

Identity thieves can use your ID as a template for counterfeit driver’s licenses, fake passports, rental agreements, and employment records.

Once forged, these documents may circulate on the black market, making it harder for authorities to stop the fraud.

Commit synthetic identity theft

Synthetic identity theft happens when criminals blend real and fake information to create a new identity. Your driver’s license number, date of birth, or address can serve as the anchor, while other pieces, such as a fabricated Social Security number, are invented or stolen from someone else.

Advances in digital tools have made synthetic identity fraud easier for criminals. With more automated ways to generate convincing records or documents, scammers can build and maintain false identities more quickly, increasing the risk to victims whose information has been compromised.

Access your existing bank accounts

Your ID alone doesn’t automatically unlock your bank accounts, but it helps criminals to bypass basic security checks, reset passwords, and pass identity verification. When combined with phishing or other stolen data, your ID becomes a powerful tool for account takeover.

Impersonate you to commit crimes

Criminals may also use a stolen ID to present themselves as you when interacting with law enforcement or businesses. Such criminal identity theft often involves non-violent offenses, such as traffic violations, unpaid fines, or minor charges, which are recorded under your name until the situation is resolved.

It’s possible to clear your record if someone uses your ID during illegal activity, but it takes time, documentation, and sometimes legal assistance to prove you weren’t involved.

File fraudulent tax returns

Some tax agencies allow identity verification using information found on your ID. A scammer with your ID could file a return claiming a refund in your name, redirect the refund to themselves, or delay your legitimate tax filing.

Victims usually learn about this only when the IRS or state tax authority denies their return.

Commit mail fraud

Your ID contains your address. That makes it easy for criminals to redirect your mail, intercept financial letters, or collect pre-approved credit offers. Mail fraud often serves as a gateway to other types of identity theft.

Sell your information on the dark web

Identity theft is also an easy way to make some quick cash on underground marketplaces. Personal details such as your date of birth, driver’s license number, and Social Security number are valuable to scammers. Once your information is circulating on the dark web, multiple criminals can purchase and reuse it for different types of fraud.

How to tell if someone is using your ID

If you’re trying to figure out how to check if someone is using your identity, the warning signs below will help you spot misuse early and take action:

• You’re receiving unfamiliar credit inquiries from lenders you’ve never contacted.
• New accounts or loans are appearing on your credit reports.
• Mail is going missing, arriving late, or being forwarded without your knowledge.
• You’re getting bank alerts for login attempts, password resets, or other unusual activity.
• Transactions you don’t recognize are appearing in your account.
• You’re receiving notices from state agencies, for example, for unemployment claims you didn’t file.

If anything feels inconsistent, especially right after your ID is stolen, assume it’s related.

What to do if your ID is stolen

If you’re trying to figure out what to do if your identity gets stolen, the steps below will walk you through the fastest and most effective way to contain the damage.

Freeze your credit card

A credit freeze blocks lenders from accessing your credit file, which also prevents anyone from opening new accounts in your name. If your ID has been lost or stolen, this is one of the most reliable ways to stop someone from impersonating you to get credit or loans.

To place a credit freeze, contact each of the three major credit bureaus: Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax. You can lift or temporarily "thaw" the freeze whenever you need to apply for credit.

If you’d like to learn more, take a look at our guide on how to freeze your credit.

Report to your state’s DMV or licensing agency

Report your stolen or missing driver’s licence to your state’s department of motor vehicles (DMV) as soon as possible. The representatives can help you replace it and may be able to flag your record so that any attempt to use your driver’s license number triggers additional verification.

Some states offer a "Verify ID" or fraud alert flag that requires law enforcement or DMV staff to take extra steps if someone presents your ID. This added layer of scrutiny can stop impersonation before it escalates.

File a police report

Filing a police report creates an official record of the identity theft or misuse. This step may be useful later when disputing fraudulent accounts, speaking with lenders, or resolving tax issues.

When filing the report, include as much detail as possible. For example, mention when and where your ID went missing, how it may have been stolen, and any suspicious activity you’ve noticed since.

Report identity theft to the FTC

Submit a report to the Federal Trade Commission at IdentityTheft.gov. This step creates an identity theft affidavit, which many institutions accept as proof that you’re a victim of this crime. It also provides tailored identity theft recovery steps and documentation you may need later.

Place a fraud alert 

A fraud alert tells lenders to verify your identity more carefully before opening new accounts in your name.

You only need to request this from one of the three credit bureaus, and that bureau will notify the others. You have two options:

• Initial fraud alert (1 year).
• Extended fraud alert (7 years) — available if you can show you’re a victim of identity theft.

You can keep a fraud alert in place even if you’ve already frozen your credit.

Check your credit reports and financial accounts

Review your credit and financial activity closely for anything that doesn’t belong to you. Warning signs include:

• New accounts you didn’t open.
• Recent inquiries from unfamiliar lenders.
• Address changes.
• Name variations.
• Sudden score changes.

In the US, you can access free weekly credit reports at AnnualCreditReport.com. Also review bank accounts, credit cards, digital payment apps, and investment accounts.

If something looks off, even if it seems minor, report it right away. Early action may prevent a small issue from becoming a larger one.

Run a background check on yourself

This step may seem unusual, but it can surface issues you wouldn’t see elsewhere. A background check may reveal public records, criminal incidents, court filings, or address histories that don’t match your own. If someone has been using your ID to pose as you, these inconsistencies can help you catch the problem early and correct the record.

Monitor for ongoing threat

Identity theft is not always a one-time incident. Criminals may test small fraudulent actions before attempting something bigger.

To protect yourself, keep a close eye on your accounts and personal information. This includes setting up alerts on your bank and credit accounts, using identity or dark web monitoring services, reviewing your credit reports regularly, and watching for unusual mail activity or unexpected account notices.

Replace your stolen ID

Finally, request a replacement ID through your state’s DMV or licensing agency. Bring your police report number, any documentation from the FTC, and proof of identity (passport or birth certificate).

Some states allow expedited replacement if the ID was stolen.

How to report stolen ID

Reporting a stolen ID isn’t only about getting a new card — you need to create a documented trail that protects you from fraud. Taking the steps below strengthens your record and makes it easier to dispute any misuse later.

1. File an identity theft report with the FTC at IdentityTheft.gov. 
2. Place a fraud alert or credit freeze with the three credit bureaus. A credit freeze offers the strongest barrier to new accounts, while an alert forces lenders to confirm your identity more carefully.
3. File a police report with your local department. Include details about how the identity theft occurred and any suspicious activity you’ve noticed.
4. Notify your state’s DMV or licensing agency. Ask them to flag your record and prevent unauthorized duplicates from being used.
5. Inform your financial institutions. Request additional verification on your accounts, ask them to monitor for unusual activity, and replace any cards that may be at risk.

Taking these steps together creates a strong defense and reduces the chances of long-term identity misuse.

How to protect your ID from theft

If you’re looking for clear guidance on how to protect your ID from identity theft, the steps below will help you reduce your risk and keep your personal information safe:

• Keep your ID in a secure place. Limit what you carry daily and leave extra documents at home.
• Avoid sharing photos of your ID online or through unsecured apps.
• Store digital copies securely in encrypted folders or password-protected drives.
• Shred documents that contain your name, address, or identifying numbers.
• Check your mailbox regularly and consider a locked mailbox or PO box for added protection.
• Use strong, unique passwords and turn on multi-factor authentication for important accounts.
• Be cautious during travel because pickpocketing and lost bags are leading causes of stolen IDs.
• Limit ID use and provide it only to trusted institutions that truly need it.

If you’d like to learn more, take a look at our guide on how to prevent identity theft.

If you want to reduce the risk of identity theft in the future, consider looking into an identity theft protection service. It makes it easier to track accounts and control access to your credit reports, and it often includes identity theft insurance to cover eligible losses and expenses.