What should be closed immediately after identity theft?

When dealing with identity theft, it is crucial to take immediate action to minimize damage and protect your financial well-being. Closing certain existing credit accounts is an appropriate response because these accounts may be directly compromised, allowing the identity thief to continue making unauthorized transactions or accruing debt in your name.

By closing specific credit accounts that you suspect have been affected, you limit the thief's ability to exploit those accounts further. This action helps to contain the situation, as it cuts off access to resources that could potentially be used against you while also preventing new charges from being made.

Taking immediate action like this is often part of a broader strategy to secure your identity and financial information, which can include reporting the theft to authorities and credit bureaus, monitoring your credit report, and possibly placing a freeze or alert on your credit. Thus, closing certain existing credit accounts represents a critical step in the mitigation process following identity theft.