AI agents for business finance: what they can and can't do
What AI agents can do in bookkeeping, close, collections and compliance today, where a person must stay in charge, and how to judge a product.
The short answer
If someone has used your details in the US, call the fraud departments of the affected companies, place a free fraud alert with one credit bureau (it tells the other two), and report it to the FTC at IdentityTheft.gov, which gives you a recovery plan and an identity theft report. Then check all three credit reports, freeze your credit, and file a police report if a business asks for one.
Identity theft often surfaces as something small: a card you did not apply for, a collection letter, a tax notice, or a call about a phone contract. For a newcomer it can be harder to spot because everything about the system is new. The steps below follow the FTC's guidance, in the order that limits damage fastest.
The first hour
- Call the company where the fraud happened. Ask for the fraud department, say your identity was used, and ask them to close or freeze the account. Change logins, passwords and PINs on any account involved.
- Place a fraud alert. Contact one bureau; it must notify the other two. The FTC's guide lists Equifax 1-888-766-0008, Experian 1-888-397-3742 and TransUnion 1-800-680-7289. An initial alert is free and lasts one year.
- Get your credit reports free at AnnualCreditReport.com or on 1-877-322-8228, and note every account or inquiry you do not recognise.
Report to the FTC
IdentityTheft.gov is the FTC's site for reporting identity theft and getting a step-by-step recovery plan. The FTC's guide also gives a phone line, 1-877-438-4338. Save or print the report you receive; the FTC's guide warns you may not be able to retrieve it later. That report is what you show businesses to dispute fraudulent accounts, and with it you can place an extended fraud alert, which lasts seven years.
When to go to the police
Some businesses or debt collectors ask for a police report. The FTC's guide suggests bringing your FTC report, photo ID, proof of address, any evidence of the theft and the FTC's memo to law enforcement, and asking for a copy of the report. If you are on a visa, reporting a crime against you is normal; keep copies of everything.
Fixing the damage
- Fraudulent accounts: write to each company with your FTC report and ask it to close the account and remove charges.
- Credit reports: dispute each fraudulent entry with the bureau.
- Freeze: once the urgent steps are done, a free credit freeze at all three bureaus blocks new accounts.
- Bank account refused: fraud can also land on a checking account report; see ChexSystems.
- Records: keep a log of every call, name, date and reference number.
What to keep in your file
Recovery can take weeks, and you will be asked for the same facts many times. Keep one folder, paper or digital, with: your FTC report and its reference number; the police report number if you filed one; a list of each fraudulent account with the company, account number and the date you reported it; copies of every letter you sent and received; and the dates you placed the fraud alert and any freeze. When a company confirms an account is closed or a debt removed, ask for that in writing and add it to the folder. Check your credit reports again a month or two later to make sure the entries have gone.
Common routes for newcomers
Fraud against new arrivals often starts with documents shared during settling in: copies of passports, SSN cards, visa pages and offer letters sent by email or messaging apps to landlords, agents or people offering help. Share only what each party needs, send through secure portals where offered, and never share one-time codes with anyone who calls you, even if they say they are from your bank.
Signs that something is wrong
- Bills, cards or letters for accounts you never opened.
- A collection call about a debt you do not recognise.
- A hard inquiry on your report from a lender you never contacted.
- Your bank or card company declines a payment because of a new account or a changed address you did not request.
- A tax notice about a return or income you know nothing about.
- Your phone suddenly loses service, which can mean someone has moved your number to a new SIM.
Tax and government letters
If you receive a letter from the IRS or a state tax agency about a return you did not file or wages from an employer you never worked for, reply to that letter using the contact details printed on it and say you believe you are a victim of identity theft. Keep a copy of your FTC report with it. Be wary of calls or messages claiming to be from a government agency and demanding payment by gift card, wire or crypto; check the agency's contact details independently before responding.
Do not forget the Nigeria side
Fraudsters who have your passport details may also target your accounts at home. Check your Nigerian bank and fintech accounts, make sure the phone number on your BVN is one you control, and tell your bank if you suspect misuse. Our Nigeria guide on sharing your BVN explains who can legitimately ask for it.
Where Pryme fits
Pryme accounts use an authenticator app instead of SMS codes, plus a transaction PIN, which closes off the SIM-swap route that many account takeovers rely on (security). If you need to prove a payment or balance during a dispute, you can generate a verifiable statement through VerifyDoc.ai (receipts).
Questions people ask
Where do I report identity theft in the US?
Report it to the FTC at IdentityTheft.gov, which gives you a recovery plan and an identity theft report. The FTC's guide also lists 1-877-438-4338.
Do I need a police report for identity theft?
Not always. The FTC report is often enough, but some businesses ask for a police report too. Bring your FTC report, ID and proof of address.
Should I freeze my credit or place a fraud alert?
Many people do both: a free fraud alert straight away through one bureau, then a free freeze at all three bureaus to block new accounts.
Can identity theft affect my immigration case?
Fraudulent debts or records can cause confusion. Keep your FTC report and correspondence, and raise it with your immigration adviser if records appear in your name.
Sources
- FTC: IdentityTheft.gov · accessed Oct 2026
- FTC: Identity theft, what to do right away (guide) · accessed Oct 2026
- FTC: What to know about credit freezes and fraud alerts (August 2025) · accessed Oct 2026
- FTC: Free credit reports (June 2026) · accessed Oct 2026
This article is general information, not financial, legal or tax advice. Products described are provided under the terms on this site and are subject to regulation and eligibility.