Are You an ID Theft Victim?
One of the most devastating things about identity theft is that most people do not realize they are identity theft victims until it is too late. Ask yourself these questions to help detect the signs of identity theft as quickly as possible.
Have you been unexpectedly declined for a loan or line of credit recently?
One of the red flags that you are an ID theft victim is if you are turned down for a loan or line of credit for which you normally would qualify. If you feel the disqualification was not warranted, immediately check your credit report for signs that you are an identity theft victim. You should report identity theft ASAP if you see anything out of the ordinary.
Have you noticed that certain bills or other documents no longer arrive in the mail?
A common ploy of identity thieves is to fill out a change-of-address form to have your mail sent to another address in order to access your personal information. If you notice that your bank statements, credit card statements, or other bills are not arriving when they should, contact the institutions involved as soon as possible to prevent ID theft.
Do you have strange transactions appearing on your bank account or credit card statements?
One of the best ways to prevent identity theft is to review your credit card and bank statements regularly. This way, you will know immediately if there are any unauthorized or suspicious transactions on your account. When you see suspicious transactions, contact the company’s fraud department to get identity theft help. Usually, if you catch the charge early and report it immediately, most companies will not hold you responsible for it.
Was your purse or wallet recently lost or stolen?
It’s best to assume your lost or stolen wallet or purse will fall into the wrong hands and act accordingly. This is where having ID theft insurance can save you a lot of time and hassle. When you sign up for our identity theft protection service, we will automatically contact the relevant companies to report and replace your missing documents, checkbooks, and credit cards. We can help you replace your credit/debit cards, checks, social security card, and driver’s license for no additional fee.
Have you received approval or denial letters for credit you never applied for?
Identity thieves quickly begin applying for credit in your name once they have your information. If this is the case, you might receive approval or denial letters regarding the credit for which they have applied. Such letters are usually a sure sign that you are an identity theft victim and need to take immediate action.
Do unknown addresses or inquiries appear on your credit report?
A tried-and-true ID theft solution is reviewing your credit report regularly. If you check your credit report and see addresses with which you have no connection or inquiries by companies you don’t recognize, report identity theft to the proper authorities.
