What to Do if Someone Has Stolen Your Driver's License Number and How to Replace It

Identity theft is always a concern, and there are endless attack methods. Your driver's license is one of your most critical forms of identification, and it's commonly kept in an easily stolen or lost accessory.

Criminals are creative, and the information found on your driver's license allows them to tarnish your identity with traffic violations and financial fraud. You must act immediately to mitigate damage if you believe your driver's license number is compromised.

Immediate Steps to Take When Your Driver's License is Stolen

It doesn't take long for a criminal to leverage your information into a bigger scheme. Prioritize telling the right government agencies so they can quickly shut down identity theft attempts.

Report Driver's License Theft

The first and most crucial step is to report your driver's license as stolen to the police. Do this as a precaution even if you're not one hundred percent sure that it was stolen. If you drop it somewhere, a poorly intentioned person could find it.

Call your local police station on their non-emergency line. Do not call 9-1-1, as that is reserved for dangerous or life-threatening situations. Inform the operator that your driver's license was stolen and that you want to file a police report.

A police report will prove that someone else can access your driver's license number. This paper trail will make it much easier to dispute points and penalties the criminal adds to your driving record.

Prepare the following information for the police report:

• Your full name
• Permanent address
• Phone number and email address
• Driver's license number
• Date of birth

The officer will ask you accompanying questions such as where you last had the stolen driver's license, your vehicle VIN, or if anything else was stolen. Some jurisdictions also collect additional information, such as gender and race, to track crime statistics. You can ask to omit these sections if uncomfortable.

Notify the DMV

Your local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) can provide more help than the police for a driver's license theft. However, they also have limited open hours and longer wait times, so contacting them second might be more efficient.

The most convenient option is to call, which could lead to the common DMV experience of being left on hold until closing. Additionally, consider visiting an office in a smaller, neighboring town with less traffic.

You might have to drive a little farther, but it's best to inform them of a stolen license as soon as possible. The longer you take to address the crime, the more time the thief has to commit the following:

• Change your mailing address with creditors and banks
• Drive with your license number while committing crimes
• Counterfeit your license with a different image

The DMV can enact a "Verify ID" requirement on your license number. This flag on your identity tells law enforcement that the license number is compromised.

Most states employ a point system that will revoke your license if you rack up too many points in a short period. You should double-check your driving record to ensure the thief hasn't had a chance to put undue points on your record.

Replacing Your Stolen Driver's License

Theft or loss of a driver's license can be a significant inconvenience and a security risk, but replacing it is an essential step to restore your mobility and protect your identity. Depending on your jurisdiction, the process for reporting the theft and obtaining a replacement can vary, but generally involves presenting key identification documents and possibly a copy of the police report. 

How to Replace a Stolen Driver's License

It's time to get a new license so you can stop asking family and friends for rides around town. Depending on your jurisdiction, you might be able to report the theft and get a replacement license on the same visit.

Some states handle license replacements at other offices like the Department of Public Safety (DPS) rather than the DMV. The process varies slightly between borders, but the required documents are roughly identical. Bring the following documents to streamline your application:

• Primary Identification (Passport, State ID, Expired Driver's License)
• Secondary Identification (US Social Security Card, W-2 Form, Birth Certificate, Pay Stubs)
• Filled Out Replacement Application
• Copy of the Police Report (Recommended)
• Office's Preferred Payment Method

You can find a copy of the required replacement application on the office's website. However, some areas are slower to adapt to the digital age, and you may need to request the form in person.

Confirm ahead of time what payment type is accepted at your chosen office. Some government offices prefer checks over cash or charge a convenience fee when using a card.

We highly advise bringing a copy of your police report. You should have multiple copies, keep one at home, and use others to address the theft. The office will review the report and decide on any changes to your license before replacing it.

Can You Change Your Driver's License Number if it is Stolen?

Changing your driver's license number is outside the norm and only allowed in specific circumstances. This rigidity is because driver's license numbers are how government agencies track your driving record and identify you on the road. Altering it affects much more than the printed number.

However, the best way to prevent a criminal from abusing your license after theft is to make the number obsolete. If the number changes, the thief will be caught the first time they show the fraudulent ID.

You must bring your police report to your driver's license replacement office. This document proves that your license was stolen, and you're at risk of identity theft.

Not all states allow for changed license numbers. In these cases, ask what protections are available to stop an identity thief from using your license. You'll most likely receive a notice attached to your license alerting law enforcement that the associated number is at risk.

Protecting Your Identity

Your driver's license number is a key piece of personally identifiable information that can be exploited by criminals in various fraudulent activities. From opening unauthorized credit lines to committing driver's license fraud, the misuse of your license number can have serious consequences. Understanding the potential threats and knowing what to do if someone has your driver's license number is crucial for safeguarding your identity. 

What Can Someone Do with Your Driver's License Number?

Driver's license numbers can be used in various fraud tactics, including:

• Open Credit Lines: Criminals may be able to use your driver's license to obtain additional personally identifiable information and open financial lines you know nothing about.
• Falsify an Identity: Synthetic identities combine multiple people's legitimate information, such as Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, and birthdays. These identities are used in illegal operations.
• Change Your Mailing Address: Your license number can be used to update your mailing address, concealing important documents and notices. You may not receive bank statements and credit warnings, allowing the thief to operate longer without getting caught.
• Commit Driver's License Fraud: Criminals take your driver's license and alter the listed physical details. They assume your license number for traffic stops and other crimes, triggering arrest warrants on your identity.

What to Do If Someone Has Your Driver's License Number

Rather than leaving everything to the police, there are a few proactive steps you can take to protect your identity.

Government agencies can monitor your license number and prevent you from getting charged with unjust accusations. However, they aren't useful in deterring criminals who use your information to commit financial fraud.

Monitoring Credit Reports and Financial Statements

Regularly checking your credit report is the best way to find suspicious activity. Don't rely too much on the financial statements sent to your home because a driver's license thief can alter your mailing address.

Watch for unknown charges, withdrawals, or newly opened accounts. These are sure signs that someone is tampering with your identity. Even if you don't find anything the first time, repeated reviews will help you notice patterns and more quickly identify future issues.

Federal law requires each major credit bureau (Equifax, TransUnion, Experian) to provide a free credit report every 12 months. This means you can order your credit report every four months without a charge.

Set Up Alerts for Credit Inquiries

It's unreasonable to check your credit report daily, but you can initiate a credit alert. These alerts notify you every time someone requests your information. The bureaus ask for your approval before allowing banks and creditors to check your report, so a fraudster can't open a new account without you knowing.

You can easily set up an alert by calling the credit bureaus, but you must inform them individually. It won't help much if you have an alert with Equifax, but the bank checks with TransUnion.

Alerts are a convenient middle-ground between no protection and a full credit freeze. Freezes block all inquiries on your report and have a lengthier "thawing" process. This method can delay loan applications, professional background checks, and rental approval.

Monitoring and Prevention

Identity theft can impact your online profiles, personal reputation, and professional life. Effective monitoring and prevention strategies are essential to maintain your security and peace of mind. From setting up Google Alerts to enrolling in identity theft protection services and securing your personal information, these proactive measures will help you stay ahead of potential threats and protect your valuable personal data.

Monitor Your Identity

Financial fraud isn't all you have to worry about. Someone could steal your identity, make online profiles, and damage your social and professional reputation. Here are some steps to effectively monitor your identity online:

Set Up Google Alerts for Your Name

Google alerts empower people to take control of their online image. Type the words or phrases you want to know about, and Google will email you whenever a new webpage appears that includes that information.

You can use your name, contact information, job title, or phrases. This tool lets you track any fake profiles made in your image.

Enroll in Identity Theft Protection Services

A reputable identity theft protection service will continuously monitor your personal information. Due to our access to dark web sources, we cover a broader range of websites than Google. We search the shadier side of the internet for the most probable places your information can pop up.

Secure Your Personal Information

You can't survive without sharing your personal information sometimes, but there are ways to control it better and keep data thieves out. Try some of the following tips:

• Don't Overshare

Social media urges us to share personal details. We want to make people interested in our lives by posting juicy details. Resist that temptation because who knows what little fact about yourself will let an identity thief break through the security questions on your account.

• Safeguard Sensitive Documents

Keep important documents like your birth certificate, social security card, and deeds in a secure location. Banks have lock boxes for rent, so you can't misplace or lose sensitive papers. Even temporary documents like bank statements contain dangerous information and should be thoroughly shredded before tossing out.

Digital copies should be stored on an external hard drive or a secure server. Even a locked folder can be broken into if the criminal has enough time.

A stolen driver's license is no laughing matter. It can pin you with severe crimes out of the blue or ruin your financial situation through fraud. Report the theft immediately to the police and request a change to your driver's license number.

For complete protection, it's ideal to set up a credit alert, forcing credit bureaus to get your permission before releasing your report. By staying vigilant and securing your personal information, you can cut down your risk of identity theft and maintain peace of mind.