6 Signs of Identity Theft

The most common indicators that you’ve been hacked

As technology gets more sophisticated by the day, so do hacking techniques, as there are currently several ways hackers can stealthily steal your data. And being a victim of identity theft can dramatically hurt your finances – which is why it’s essential to be alert to the signs.

Unfamiliar login alerts

Something as trivial as login notifications can be a warning sign of suspicious activity. If the time, place, or device are unfamiliar, you should investigate further. On a related note, setting up two-factor authentication and creating stronger passwords are great ways to further protect your accounts.

Unexpected bank transactions

Even the smallest of unknown transactions could be a red flag, as thieves usually withdraw just a couple of dollars as a test. Since most people make many payments and transactions per month, spotting the ones you don’t recognize can be tricky. That’s why it’s essential to keep track of all your transactions and make sure you are familiar with the name of every retailer. If you spot any anomalies, be sure to contact your bank to freeze your account immediately.

Suspicious letters in the mail

Identity thieves can sometimes target their victims by changing their postal address. Not getting your usual bills or receiving bills for services you know nothing about are a big warning sign – as is suddenly receiving mail addressed to another person. Moreover, if you usually receive your bank statements through the mail and suddenly stop getting them, get in touch with your bank as someone might be stealing from you.

Tax return problems

Tax-related theft is also common, as criminals may use your Social Security number to claim your tax refunds as their own. If you try to file your income tax return and it gets rejected for being already filed, you might be a victim of identity theft. In this case, immediately report the situation to the IRS. A good tip is also to file your taxes as quickly as possible to give hackers fewer opportunities.

Being denied credit

Another clue is when you ask for a new credit card or bank loan and it unexpectedly gets rejected. The same logic applies to credit score drops, as an identity thief might be opening new accounts in your name. In either case, get hold of a major credit bureau to further investigate the situation.

Calls from unknown debt collectors

This is an obvious warning sign but still worth mentioning. Being harassed by debt collectors asking for unpaid bills you don’t recognize can be a scary experience. It’s important to keep calm and take the situation seriously: contact your credit card company as soon as possible to dispute fraudulent activity.

How to protect yourself from identity theft

As mentioned before, you should always keep an eye on your bank statements and other transactions but this won’t 100% guarantee your safety. Monitoring your credit score is also a must, except it might already be too late by the time you check it. For that reason, we recommended setting up a credit alert using a monitoring service like IdentityIQ‘s MyScoreIQ. This software also offers other anti-theft features, such as monitoring the dark web for your leaked data.

Additionally, it is vital to use a VPN when surfing the web, especially if you often use public Wi-Fi, since you’re repeatedly exposing your information. You should also change your passwords regularly and use different ones for each of your accounts. If you think you won’t remember all your passwords, a password manager like 1Password will keep them in a private vault, providing you with a hassle-free experience.

What to do when identity theft occurs

If you have the misfortune of being a victim of identity theft, there are a few procedures you can follow to recover your losses. Immediately reporting the case to the police and the Federal Trade Commission can help a lot. And in more complicated situations, you can try talking to an attorney to deal with debt collectors and straighten out your financial problems.

If you’re already subscribed to an identity theft protection service you can luckily avoid all this by using a recovery plan like the one provided by Identity Guard. With its insurance policy, you can be partially or fully refunded. On top of this, a dedicated case manager will help you and your family get back on track.