An identity theft block is your right to have a credit bureau stop reporting information that resulted from identity theft. If you send proof of identity, an identity theft report, and a list of the fraudulent items, the bureau generally must block them within four business days.
Also called: 605B block, section 605B, FCRA block, block fraudulent information, 15 U.S.C. 1681c-2
What it means
A regular dispute asks the bureau to investigate. An identity theft block is different. Under section 605B of the FCRA, 15 U.S.C. § 1681c-2, the bureau must stop reporting the fraudulent information within four business days once you give it what the statute requires. It’s often the fastest way to clean up accounts, inquiries, and collections an identity thief created.
What you have to send
Under § 1681c-2(a), the bureau must block the information after it receives:
- Proof of your identity.
- A copy of an identity theft report.
- Your identification of the information you want blocked.
- Your statement that the information doesn’t relate to any transaction you made.
Regulation V, 12 CFR § 1022.3(i), defines an identity theft report. It has to allege identity theft with as much detail as you can give, and be a copy of a report filed with a law enforcement agency, where a false filing carries criminal penalties. A bureau may ask for more information to verify the claim, but only within set time limits, generally within 15 days.
What happens next
The bureau must promptly tell the furnisher that the information may come from identity theft and that a block was placed (§ 1681c-2(b)). Furnishers have their own identity theft duties under § 1681s-2(a)(6).
When a bureau can refuse
Under § 1681c-2(c), a bureau may decline or rescind a block only if it reasonably determines the block was made in error, was based on a material misrepresentation, or that you actually received goods, services, or money from the blocked transaction. If it does, it must notify you. Check-verification companies follow a different rule under § 1681c-2(e).
Common problems
- The bureau treats the block request as an ordinary dispute and “verifies” the account with the furnisher instead of blocking it.
- The bureau demands documents beyond what Regulation V allows, or misses the four-business-day deadline.
- A blocked account comes back after the furnisher reports it again.
How to request it
Send your request in writing to each bureau listing the fraud, with every item above, and keep proof of delivery. Placing a fraud alert or security freeze at the same time helps stop new fraud.
When it can be an FCRA violation
The block is mandatory once the statutory conditions are met. A bureau that fails to block, blocks late, or lets blocked information reappear without the required notice may be liable under the FCRA.
If you sent a complete block request and the fraud is still on your report, FCRA Attorneys offers a free case review, and you pay no fee unless we win.
Related
- Fraud alert
- Security freeze
- Furnisher
- Hard inquiry
- Mixed file
- Reinvestigation
- Identity theft cases
- An Account on My Credit Report Is Not Mine: What Now?
- Dispute letter builder
- How to Dispute Credit Report Errors With Equifax, Experian and TransUnion
Sources
- 15 U.S.C. § 1681c-2, block of information resulting from identity theft (Cornell LII)
- 12 CFR § 1022.3, definitions including identity theft report (Cornell LII)
- 15 U.S.C. § 1681s-2, responsibilities of furnishers (Cornell LII)
Updated November 2026. This glossary is written by FCRA Attorneys from public sources. It is general information, not legal advice, and is not affiliated with any credit bureau or industry association.