Signs Your Identity Has Been Stolen (and what to do about it)
In the U.S., a person’s identity is stolen every two seconds. A thief might use your personal information to open new credit accounts, enter a cell phone service contract, or even obtain government benefits.
Below are signs that your identity has been stolen and what to do about it.
- Unauthorized purchases on your credit or bank accounts Check your bank, savings, and credit card account statements to ensure only the charges you recognize are listed. If you notice any purchases that you did not authorize, report them to the company immediately. Additionally, request that the companies issue a fraud alert on your account and then cancel and reissue debit and credit cards.
- Credit application with your personal information It is easy to toss offers of credit by mail directly into the garbage. However, take the time to open and check all credit applications you receive from businesses (like banks, phone companies, and insurance companies). If you see an application that has been prefilled, contact the company to inquire about it. They may have legitimate sources of your information, but if not, it could be a sign someone else is impersonating you.
- Unfamiliar inquiries on your credit report If you notice unfamiliar inquiries on your credit report, it is a possible sign of fraud. Unknown inquiries are when someone checks your credit because they are considering doing business with you. An investigation can occur if a company asks to check your credit as part of an application process, such as applying for a cell phone. If you do not recognize the inquiry, contact the credit reporting agency to find out more about it.
One of the best practices you can follow is to always check your credit reports, review bank and credit card statements, and carefully scan incoming mail on a regular basis before someone steals your identity. Staying proactive when it comes to your identity could prevent hours of time and unnecessary money from being spent on getting it back if it were to become stolen.
Featured Blogs
- The Critical Role of Life Insurance in a Comprehensive Personal Finance Strategy
- A Layman's Guide to Choosing the Right Health Insurance Plan
- Flu Season Survival Guide
- Prioritizing Preventive Care in Your Wellness Journey
- DIY Disaster Preparedness Kit: Make your own disaster preparedness kit with these essentials to keep your property and family safe
- Why Supplemental Health Insurance Might Be Worth Considering
- Health Savings Account: Is It Worth It Having it?
- Protecting Your Investments: The Role of Insurance in Wealth Management
- Understanding Co-Pays vs. Coinsurance: Making Sense of Your Health Insurance Costs
- Insurance Myth Busters: Debunking Common Misconceptions about Coverage
- Understanding Your Health Insurance Deductible: Tips for Making the Most of Your Coverage
- The Evolution of Insurance: Trends and Innovations Shaping the Industry
- Healthy Habits for the Summer: Tips for Utilizing Your Health Insurance Benefits
- The Future of Work
- Emergency Preparedness: How Insurance Can Provide Peace of Mind During Crises
- Managing Chronic Conditions: How Health Insurance Can Help You Stay Healthy All Year Round
- Navigating Insurance Renewals: Tips for Reviewing Your Policies
- Aging and Our Body’s Ability to Heal Itself
- Keeping Health Insurance After a Layoff
- Waking Up to the Impact of Insomnia
- How Life Insurance Benefits Women
- What experts say about raising the retirement age
- Coverage for healthcare treatment denied? Here’s what you can do.
- Sharing the Road with Cyclists
- Buying Life Insurance for an Elderly Parent?
- Medicaid Unwinding: Your Questions Answered
- Living Your Best Life After 60
- Buying Health Insurance: A Millennial’s Guide
- Self-Love Ideas for Valentine’s Day
- Life Without Clutter
- Set Yourself Up for Success with Your Fitness Routine
- Winter Hydration – Do I Need It?
- I’m 60+; Do I Need Life Insurance?
- Why Do I Keep Breaking My New Year’s Resolutions?
- Closing Out the Year with a Smile!
- How to Enjoy a Long Layover
- 6 Cold Weather Safety Tips
- 10 Tips for Managing Cholesterol Levels
- How Much Life Insurance Do You Need Right Now?
- 3 Top Tips for Better Posture
- Building Bone Density for Seniors
- Living Outside Your Comfort Zone in Retirement
- 3 Top Habits that Lead to a Happy Life After Retirement
- Should You Insure Your Gifts?
- Everything You Need to Know When Retiring Under 65
- 7 Benefits of Slow Travel
- Utilizing Medicare Preventative Services
- The Harsh Reality of Credit Card Fees
- Keeping Your Health Insurance Affordable
- 7 Tips to Weather Challenging Periods in Your Life
- What is a Variable Annuity? 4 Key Details You Should Know
- 4 of the Best Ways to Stay Healthy this Summer
- How to Prevent Sun Damage to Your Eyes
- 3 Tips for Safer Grilling
- When the Sun is NOT Your Friend (What You Need to Know about Sun Exposure)
- Tips to Avoid Stress Eating
- Common Exercise Pains – How to Work Past Them and When to Call for Help
- Signs Your Identity Has Been Stolen (and what to do about it)
- How Does Inflation Affect Life Insurance?
- Know the Benefits of Walking
- Do Brain Food Supplements Really Work?
- Ways You Can Spend Less on Gas
- What Are Alternatives if LTC isn’t Right for You?
- 4 Tips for a Less Stressful Summer
- Veteran and Medicare Benefits Work Together
- What are the Safest States From Natural Disasters?
- How to Choose an In-Home Care Provider for Your Loved One in 5 Steps
- 7 Myths About Your Back Pain
- 5 Foods that Will Help Keep Your Mind Healthy
- Don’t Throw Away Those Used Coffee Grounds
- I’m 50 Years Old. Should I Keep My Life Insurance?
- How to Spot Government Imposters
- 5 Mistakes to Avoid When Buying a Life Insurance Policy
- Happiness Through Healthy Food
- 5 Step Checklist to Choosing a Health Insurance Plan
- 5 Creative Spring Décor Ideas
- 10 Ways to Maintain Healthy Joints
- 3 Incredible Healthcare Smart Technologies Coming Your Way
- Do I Need a Long-Term Care Plan?
- Senior Diet: To Meat or Not to Meat
- How to Take Care of Your Personal Intangible Assets
- Dream All-Inclusive Trips to Escape the Cold
- How to Get Health Insurance if You’re a Freelancer
- Safety Tips for Driving in Winter
- Ways to Locate a Lost Life Insurance Policy
- Critical Times in Life that You Need Life Insurance
- Giving and Forgiving
- Why Buy Life Insurance on Children
- Things We Are Grateful for This Year