The Identity Theft Resource Center found that 85% of identity theft victims they surveyed found out their information had been compromised through a negative event. Depending on what information an identity theft perpetrator has appropriated, there are effects to your credit, finances or your personal identity. Knowing the signs of compromised information will help you identify whether you have fallen victim to identity theft perpetrators and get it resolved immediately.

Credit or Financial Identity Theft Signs

Once an identity theft perpetrator has your credit or financial information, credit lines or funds available in an account can be drained through electronic debits and fraudulent charges. The same information can also be used to generate new accounts. If they have a “key” (SSNs or license numbers), the opportunity to abuse your credit or financial history is even greater.

Some signs of Credit or Financial fraud with your identity include:

• Purchases or automated payments appearing on credit card statements or account statements you never made
• Entire balances of bank accounts being withdrawn;
• All available credit on a credit card being charged or withdrawn as a cash advance
• New bank accounts or credit lines in your name that you never opened
• Loans or Mortgages in your name for which you never applied
• Statements or bills for fraudulent purchases or credit lines sent to you

The effects of these fraudulent credit or financial activities can be disastrous to your credit, and can include:

• Collection activity being initiated against you for defaulted payments and lines of credit
• Denial of credit, loan or mortgage applications not approved
• Liens or other legal action taken against you by creditors who are demanding payment

Personal Identity Theft Signs

Although it is usually not differentiated from credit or financial fraud, identity theft can also lead to fraudulent activities related to employment, taxes, obtaining a home, or criminal acts. A perpetrator can go beyond exploiting your credit and financial capabilities and assumes your identity entirely, practically living as if you. Identification cards and documentation may even be taken in your name, but with a different individual. Signs may include:

• Receiving items in the mail regarding jobs you never held, or their related income taxes
• Forwarded mail from addresses in which you never lived, or information sent to you about an apartment you never rented
• Jobs or addresses listed on your credit report that don’t belong to you
• Warrants for you arrest found during a routine traffic stop for crimes in which you were not involved

The effects can be even more traumatic, as there may be more legal ramifications than with credit or financial fraud:

• Evictions proceedings against you
• Audits enacted by the Internal Revenue Service
• Criminal charges or investigations in which you are a suspect

If you have noticed any of these signs of potential identity theft in your accounts, credit reports, or in the mail, please see “Identity Theft Solutions”

References

Federal Trade Commission: Facts for Consumers: Taking Charge: Fighting Back Against Identity Theft

Privacy Rights Clearinghouse. How Many Identity Theft Victims are There? What is the Impact on Victims?

Federal Trade Commission. DETECT: Identify Suspicious Activity