How To Tell If You Are A Victim
Review Your Financial Activities
It seems simple but an easy way to detect fraudulent activity is to check your account statements and bills regularly to be sure that all the transactions listed are legitimate.
You should also review your credit report at least annually to make sure there is no unauthorized activity. Federal law requires all three major nationwide consumer reporting companies (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) to give you a free copy of your credit report once a year if you ask for it. To get your reports, visit www.AnnualCreditReport.com or call 1-877-322-8228. You can also write to Annual Credit Report Request Service, P.O. Box 105283, Atlanta, GA 30348-5283.
Watch For Suspicious Signs
- Bills do not arrive as expected. You should know when your credit card and bank statements arrive in the mail and be alert if one or more stops showing up in your mailbox. This could mean your account has been taken over and diverted elsewhere.
- You receive mail from credit card companies and they contain statements or cards in your name for which you did not apply.
- You are denied credit for no apparent reason. If your credit history is generally solid, you should be very suspicious if you are turned down. This could mean an identity criminal is using your credit record to borrow money in your name.
- Companies call or send letter about purchases you did not make.
- If any of this has happened to you, click here for more information on how to respond.
