Identity Theft: The Signs

Sometimes when affected by identity theft it helps to know the signs of it. This would help you reduce or eliminate any future risk or it would help you to resolve the problem as soon as possible.

Here are some signs you have become a victim of identity theft:

• One of the most obvious is that your credit card statement shows signs of purchase activity and transactions you did not make. This means that someone may have used your account.
• You end up with a credit card that you were approved for but never requested. This is a sure sign especially if it is ready to be activated and used.
• You receive a letter in the mail that you have been denied credit. However, you do not even remember applying for credit in the first place.
• You stopped receiving utility bills or other bill statements in the mail. This is a sign that someone has stolen your mail so they can use your personal information.
• Some of your “junk” mail such as pre-approved credit card offers is missing. This means that someone you know may have taken it.
• You start receiving bills from companies that you normally do not deal with. Maybe you never even heard of the company and yet you are getting charged for a product/service you never ordered.
• You see items on your credit report that belong to companies of whom you never deal with. For instance, there may be inquiries and/or records of credit application listed pertaining to creditors you never had done business with in the past.
• Perhaps you are charged and arrested for a crime you did not commit. That can be a very shocking experience if you are innocent! Identity theft affects a lot of innocent people!
• You receive notices from collection agencies for debts that are not yours. This often is a sign that someone has been creating debts in your name.
• You receive a confirmation of a notice that your mail is forwarded. You also may stop receiving mail altogether. Someone may have forwarded your address to a different one to steal your mail and commit identity theft.

Solutions

Any signs of fraudulent activity should be reported immediately. If necessary you may need to cancel a credit card or report it lost or stolen. The same applies to credit card attached to bank accounts.

If you have been monitoring your credit report, any changes that seem suspicious should be reported. A fraud alert can be placed on your file.