Your report card was stolen to cancel your subscriptions — here's what happens next

If someone stole your report card and used it to cancel your subscriptions, you are dealing with identity theft. A report card contains your name, address, date of birth, and sometimes a student ID number — enough for someone to contact subscription services, claim to be you, and request cancellation. The subscriptions themselves may not be the real problem; the theft signals that your personal information is in someone else's hands and could be used for other fraud.

Your first step is to contact each subscription service directly by phone (not through the website) and report the unauthorized cancellation. Tell them your account was accessed without permission. Ask them to restore your subscriptions and review your account activity for other changes — password resets, email address changes, or payment method updates. Many services will reverse fraudulent cancellations if you report them quickly.

Next, place a fraud alert with the three major credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. A fraud alert tells lenders to verify your identity before opening new accounts in your name. You only need to call one bureau; they will notify the other two. This is free and takes about 15 minutes.

Key Takeaways

  • Contact each subscription service by phone to report the unauthorized cancellation and ask them to restore your account and review for other changes.
  • Place a fraud alert with one of the three credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion), and they will notify the others at no cost.
  • File a report with the Federal Trade Commission at IdentityTheft.gov so you have an official record of the theft for disputing charges later.
  • Check your credit report for accounts you did not open, and consider a credit freeze if you believe your information is still at risk.
  • If the thief used your report card to open new accounts or make purchases, you may need to file a police report to dispute those charges.

File a report with the Federal Trade Commission

Go to IdentityTheft.gov and create an account. Walk through the identity theft report tool, which asks you what happened, what information was stolen, and what accounts were affected. The FTC will generate an Identity Theft Report — a document that proves you reported the theft and can be used to dispute fraudulent charges with banks, credit card companies, and subscription services.

This report is important because subscription services and creditors are more likely to reverse charges if you can show you filed an official report. Keep a copy for your records and share it with any company that disputes your claim that the cancellation was unauthorized.

Check your credit report for unauthorized accounts

Request your free credit report from AnnualCreditReport.com, the only official site for free reports. You are may have access to to one free report from each of the three bureaus per year. Check all three reports for accounts you do not recognize — credit cards, loans, phone lines, or utilities opened in your name.

If you find fraudulent accounts, dispute them in writing with the credit bureau that reported them. Include a copy of your FTC Identity Theft Report. The bureau must investigate within 30 days and remove the account if it cannot verify that you opened it. Also contact the company that issued the fraudulent account and tell them it was opened without your permission.

Consider a credit freeze if the theft is recent

A credit freeze prevents anyone from opening new accounts in your name without your permission. When you freeze your credit, lenders cannot see your credit report, so they will not issue new credit cards or loans. You can still use existing accounts.

A freeze is free and takes about 10 minutes per bureau. Contact Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion directly through their websites or by phone. You will receive a PIN that you must use to unfreeze your credit later if you want to explore for a loan or credit card yourself. A freeze lasts until you remove it, unlike a fraud alert, which expires after one year.

A freeze is most useful if you believe the thief still has access to your information or if you do not plan to explore for new credit soon. If you only want to protect yourself while you sort out this theft, a fraud alert may be enough.

What to do if the thief opened new accounts in your name

If the thief used your report card to open credit cards, take out loans, or sign up for services beyond the subscriptions you know about, you will need to dispute those accounts with the creditor. Send a written dispute letter that includes your FTC Identity Theft Report, a copy of your report card (if you still have it), and a statement that you did not open the account.

The creditor must investigate within 30 days. If they cannot prove you opened the account, they must remove it from your credit report and stop reporting it to the bureaus. Keep copies of everything you send and receive. If the creditor refuses to remove the account, you can file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

When to file a police report

If the thief used your report card to make purchases, open accounts, or commit fraud beyond canceling subscriptions, file a police report with your local police department or the police department where the theft occurred. Bring your report card (if you have it), your FTC Identity Theft Report, and documentation of the fraud — credit card statements, account statements, or letters from creditors.

A police report creates an official record that can help you dispute charges with your bank or credit card company. Some banks will not reverse fraudulent charges without a police report. You do not need the police to investigate or arrest anyone; the report itself is the document you need.

Protect your report card going forward

Once you have reported the theft and placed a fraud alert, take steps to prevent this from happening again. Do not carry your report card in your wallet or backpack unless you need it that day. Store it in a safe place at home. If your school issues a replacement, ask whether you can request a new student ID number or whether the old number will be deactivated.

Monitor your credit report regularly — you can check it free once per year at AnnualCreditReport.com, or you can use a credit monitoring service that alerts you when new accounts are opened in your name. Watch your subscription accounts for unauthorized changes, and set up account alerts if your subscription services offer them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will the subscription services refund me for the time I lost?

Many will if you report the cancellation as unauthorized within a reasonable time. Contact them by phone and explain that your account was accessed without permission. Some services will restore your subscription and credit your account for the lost time; others will only restore the subscription. Ask what they can do before you hang up.

How long does a fraud alert last?

An initial fraud alert lasts one year from the date you place it. If you want ongoing protection, you can renew it before it expires. An extended fraud alert lasts seven years but requires you to file an FTC Identity Theft Report first.

Can I freeze my credit if I am a student?

Yes. You have the same right to freeze your credit as anyone else, regardless of age or whether you have a credit history. Contact the three bureaus directly to place a freeze.

What if the thief used my report card to sign up for a subscription I did not notice?

Review your bank and credit card statements for charges you do not recognize. If you find a subscription charge you did not authorize, contact that service and report it as fraudulent. Also include it in your dispute with the credit card company or bank that issued the card.

Do I need to replace my report card?

Yes. Contact your school's registrar or student services office and request a replacement. Ask whether they will deactivate the old card number so the thief cannot use it again. Some schools will issue a new card with a different number; others will reactivate the same number on a new physical card.