---
title: "Should I cooperate with the identity theft investigation?"
description: "Almost never - and never without a lawyer. By the time investigators contact you, they already have documentary evidence. Their goal is to lock you into a statement they can use at trial...."
url: https://bankandmunns.com/faq-items/should-i-cooperate-with-the-identity-theft-investigation/
date: 2026-04-22
modified: 2026-04-22
author: "Bank and Munns"
type: avada_faq
lang: en
---

# Should I cooperate with the identity theft investigation?

Almost never - and never without a lawyer. By the time investigators contact you, they already have documentary evidence. Their goal is to lock you into a statement they can use at trial. "Cooperation" in the casual sense - giving an interview, handing over your phone, signing a consent-to-search - does not get you a better deal. It gets you a worse case. True cooperation is a formal proffer with your lawyer present and written use-immunity from the prosecutor. That can sometimes reduce exposure in multi-defendant cases, but the decision has to be made with counsel who knows what the government already has. If an agent contacts you, say "I want a lawyer" and call Bank & Munns.