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How can you find out if your identity was stolen?
The best way to find out is to monitor your accounts and bank statements each month, and check your credit report on a regular basis. If you check your credit report regularly, you may be able to limit the damage caused by identity theft.
Unfortunately, many consumers learn that their identity has been stolen after some damage has been done.
- You may find out when bill collection agencies contact you for overdue debts you never incurred.
- You may find out when you apply for a mortgage or car loan and learn that problems with your credit history are holding up the loan.
- You may find out when you get something in the mail about an apartment you never rented, a house you never bought, or a job you never held. Federal Trade Commission Report
Some of the things that you will need to do if it does happen to you.
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Call your bank and/or credit card company
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Contact the three major credit repositories
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Go through the helpful but expensive steps recommended by the Federal Trade Commission in its 30-page consumer support publication
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Fill out and submit the affidavit form supplied by the FTC to dispute new, unauthorized accounts
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Spend on average $1,200 in out-of-pocket expenses and an average of 175 hours in your efforts to resolve the many problems caused by identity thieves
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What Is Identity Theft?
