How to tell if your identity has been stolen

Identity theft is a growing problem in the United States. In 2021, it was estimated that 47% of Americans had experienced some form of financial identity theft. If you're worried that your identity may have been stolen, there are several steps you can take to find out.

Review your credit reports

One of the best ways to determine if your identity has been stolen is to check your credit reports. You can get free copies of your credit reports from your credit company and Review them for unauthorized charges, accounts, addresses you don't recognize, or other signs that someone may have stolen your identity. You can also use "credit monitoring services" to help you keep track of your credit activity. Credit monitoring services will alert you when:

• Your credit score changes.
• Your name is listed on a public record.
• A new account has been opened in your name.
• There are changes to your credit history.

Check your bank and credit card statements.

Another way to tell if someone has stolen your identity is to check your bank and credit card statements for unauthorized charges or transactions. Check your bank's or other financial institutions' records to ensure nothing unusual on your accounts. The sooner you discover something isn't correct, the easier it will be to fix.

Monitor your social media accounts

Social media identity theft grows more prevalent as social networks integrate with daily life. Bad guys can use the personal information that you post on social media to open accounts in your name or make purchases. So, it's essential to keep a close eye on what you share and who you're connected with.

You get calls or letters from debt collectors about debts you don't remember incurring.

If you start getting calls or letters from debt collectors about debts you don't remember incurring, it could signify that your identity has been stolen. Debt collectors may try to collect on fake debts or debts that have been incurred in your name without your knowledge.

You're denied credit for no reason.

Credit bureaus keep track of your credit history and use this information to decide if you are eligible for new credit. If there are inaccuracies in your credit report, it could lead to being denied credit. If you apply for credit and are denied for no reason, it could signify that someone has stolen your identity.

If you think you've been a victim of identity theft

If you think you may have been the victim of identity theft, there are several steps you can take to protect yourself. Here are a few:

- File a police report - This is the first step in getting your identity theft case started. - Place a fraud alert on your credit reports - This will notify creditors that you may have been a victim of identity theft, and they should take additional steps to verify your identity before opening any new accounts. - Get a copy of your credit reports - This will help you determine the extent of the damage and what kind of action needs to be taken to correct it. - Close any accounts that have been tampered with or opened without your permission - This will help protect you from further damage. - Change your passwords - This is a good idea any time, but especially if you think your identity has been stolen. - Log out of your social media - This will help protect your personal information from being accessed by someone who has stolen your identity. - Get antivirus software - This will help protect your computer from being infected with malware that could be used to steal your personal information.

For more information on what to do if your identity is stolen, visit the Federal Trade Commission website at identity theft.