How To Tell If Your Identity Has Been Stolen

How can you tell if someone has stolen your identity?  Knowing the preventative measures is useful, but how do you know when you’re a victim?  That’s extremely important, wouldn’t you think?  How can you fix your credit, if you didn’t know your credit needed fixing?

Well the first, best, and most effective way is to monitor your credit reports.  Whether you use an identity theft prevention service or not, always self monitor your credit.  Request your annual free credit reports every year.  Make note of everything on them, and check for errors. Any errors should be inquired about as soon as possible.  An error could just be a mistake, or a sign you’ve been a victim of identity theft.

Unexplained changes in your bank account or credit card balances are usually a good sign something’s wrong.  Always check your bank account and credit card statements often.  Unknown activity could be a sign that a thief has gotten your bank account or credit card information.  Contact the appropriate company immediately, if you see suspicious activity.

If you find that you aren’t receiving mail that you know had been sent, be suspicious.  The frequent loss of mail could be the sign of an identity thief.  Stealing mail is a tactic mostly of the past, but some people will still turn to the method.  Monitor your credit reports and contact the post office if you suspect fraudulent activity.

If you’re being hounded by debt collectors asking for money you don’t owe, that could also be a sign.  Inquire about the details regarding the debt, and check your credit reports.  You can have the fraudulent charges cleared, sometimes it’s just a lengthy annoying process.  But never pay a debt you don’t recall, until you’ve properly investigated.  They could end up being fraudulent charges that you aren’t responsible for paying.