Identity theft is real and serious. Millions of Americans have their
identity stolen annually, and it's the fastest-growing crime in the U.S.
according to the FBI.Given those numbers, it's fair to say that everyone should assume their identity will be stolen at some point. That doesn't mean you shouldn't try to protect it, but just know it probably won't be enough.
Most ID theft victims don't even realize their identity is stolen until weeks or months after the fact. That's especially true if the thieves go after your investments or equity in your house. By the time you notice, it can take months with lots of paperwork and phone calls to recover, and you'll lose an average of $1,400.
That means you need to get into the habit of regularly checking your life for signs of identity theft. The faster you can catch identity theft, the easier it is to resolve.
With that in mind, here are some things you can look for that are dead giveaways.
1. Unknown charges
Seeing an unexpected or unknown charge on your bank account or credit card statement is a big red flag. It means a crook might have your number and is making purchases.Even small charges should be taken seriously, since thieves tend to buy and sell information for multiple people in packages called "fullz." A thief getting your information in a "fullz" is going to test it out to see how much attention you're paying.
If you ignore the small charges, that just lets them know they can start making bigger charges and opening new cards in your name. You definitely want to put a stop to it early.
You should also be looking at any medical insurance or other insurance statements that come through. Insurance fraud is a big deal because most people don't bother to check it.
2. Credit report
Your credit report is one of the best ways to spot potential problems. It can tell you if someone is taking out a loan in your name, starting a second mortgage, or even just running your information.Look for credit checks from businesses you don't remember visiting and accounts you never started. Also, look for inaccuracies in your personal information, such as the wrong address, birth date or marital status.
Getting your credit report is simple. You're entitled to a free credit report once a year from each of the three reporting agencies - Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. I recommend requesting a report from one company every four months. That should be enough monitoring for anybody.
To get your credit report, head over to AnnualCreditReport. Remember, the service is free. If you're asked to pay, you aren't in the right place.
3. Unusual mail
Your mail can give you some unexpected clues about identity theft - and no I'm not talking about email. For example, if you start getting catalogs in your mail box with a different name, that means someone is using your address at stores.Medical solicitations for procedures you don't need and medicines you don't take could mean someone is using your medical insurance.
Sudden increases in your car insurance rate could be a clue that your credit score has dropped.
You also want to keep an eye out for what you aren't getting. If credit card and bank statements suddenly stop arriving, then thieves might have redirected your mail. It's simple with a change of request form at the Post Office.
When thieves start receiving your mail, they have access to your bank and credit card statements. They can also get their hands on pre-approved credit card offers and open accounts in your name. By the time you notice anything is wrong, the criminals have already done serious damage.
Preventing a mail redirect scam is difficult. But you can lower your odds of becoming a victim by stopping junk mail like pre-approved credit card solicitations. This app makes it simple.
If you notice a drop in mail, contact the Post Office, your bank, your credit card company and other similar companies immediately. Verify your address and find out where it was changed. It also might turn out that someone is stealing your mail after it's delivered.
In that case, you might want to set up a camera to watch your mailbox and nab them in the act - I sell some great models here.
