What Should I Do if My Document Is Misused

If you suspect that someone used one of your identity documents (passport, ID card, driver's license or residence permit) to complete a verification that you did not initiate, this article will help you secure your identity and prevent further misuse.

How can it happen?

Identity documents may be exposed or stolen in a number of ways:

• Companies with which you have shared documents may be hacked.
• Being tricked into sharing document photos, OTP codes, or login information.
• Malware on a computer or phone.
• Lost or stolen physical documents.
• Combining your real documents with false information to pass checks.

The main risk is that a fraudster opens accounts, signs contracts, or gains services in your name. In rare cases, this can lead to financial damage, unpaid debts, or even criminal misuse. The goal now is to stop further misuse and record what happened so you can dispute any problems later.

What steps should you follow?

Follow these steps to protect your accounts and identity.

• Step 1: Contact the service with which you verified, tell them it was fraudulent and ask them to block or close any account created with your information. Keep a record of the conversation.

  • If it’s connected to the Sumsub ID account, you can contact us via chat on this site or via privacy@sumsub.com.

• Step 2: Report the incident to the agency that issued your document and request a replacement for any stolen documents. If your national ID allows it, enable digital lost status.

• Step 3: Let your bank and financial services know about the incident.

• Step 4: Record the incident to your local police or cybercrime portal.

• Step 5: Monitor your credit reports for further misuse.

• Step 6: Make your online security stronger: change passwords, turn two-factor authentication, run an antivirus/security scan, store important document in an encrypted folder or password manager.

Where to report or get help

The table below has helpful starting points based on your location.

If your country isn't on this list, start with your local police, passport/ID authority, and credit bureau (if there is one).

Longer-term protection

After you've taken care of those important tasks, think about these habits:

• Look at your credit report a few times a year.
• Be careful about where you share document scans.
• Make your passwords strong and unique, and use a password manager.