The Signs of Identity Theft and What To Do if You’re a Victim

If early signs of identity theft are missed, the time needed to solve financial and credit-related problems caused by the fraud goes up — along with the severity of the crime.

What are the signs that someone has stolen your personal information?

• You see withdrawals from your bank account that you can’t explain
• You don’t get your bills or other mail.
• Merchants refuse your checks.
• Debt collectors call you about debts that aren’t yours.
• You find unfamiliar accounts or charges on your credit report.
• Medical providers bill you for services you didn’t use.
• Your health plan rejects your legitimate medical claim because the records show you’ve reached your benefits limit.
• A health plan won’t cover you because your medical records show a condition you don’t have.
• The IRS notifies you that more than one tax return was filed in your name, or that you have income from an employer you don’t work for.
• You get notice that your information was compromised by a data breach at a company where you do business or have an account.

What should you do if you are a victim of identity theft?

If someone has stolen and has used your personal information its important to act quickly to limit the damage.  IdentityTheft.com (https://www.identitytheft.gov) is the federal government’s one-stop resource for identity theft victims. The site provides streamlined checklists and sample letters to guide you through the recovery process.

Visit the National Identity Theft Victims Assistance Network to learn more.