How to tell if someone is using your identity (2024)

FAQs

How to tell if someone is using your identity? ›

Check your bank, investment, and credit card accounts for unfamiliar transactions. Flag anything and follow up with either the vendor or your bank or credit card company. Don't ignore small transactions. Identity thieves may make small purchases to test if a card or account number works before moving on to larger ones.

One of the best ways to check if someone has been using your identity is to look at your credit report. Because your credit report has information about your credit accounts and credit applications, you can tell immediately if someone has tried to use your identity.

Conduct regular credit checks to verify whether someone has applied for credit using your personal information and if so, advise the credit grantor immediately. Investigate and register for credit related alerts offered by credit bureaus. Check your bank statements regularly.

Contact the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) at 1-800-908-4490 or visit them online, if you believe someone is using your SSN to work, get your tax refund, or other abuses involving taxes. Order free credit reports annually from the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion).

Inform your bank, building society and credit card company of any unusual transactions on your statement. Request a copy of your credit file to check for any suspicious credit applications. Report the theft of personal documents and suspicious credit applications to the police and ask for a crime reference number.

Close the accounts that you know or believe have been tampered with or opened fraudulently. Use the ID Theft Affidavit when disputing unauthorized accounts. File a police report. Submit a copy of the police report to your creditors and others that may require proof of the possible crime.

Identity fraud involves someone other than yourself using your identity details. This often happens with a copy of your ID. For example, with a copy of your ID showing your name, date of birth and BSN, fraudsters can apply for a loan or set up a mobile phone contract.

How to tell if someone stole from you? ›

You should review your bank account statements regularly; if you see unknown purchases, that could be a sign that your identity has been stolen. Check credit reports. Similarly, monitor your credit reports from all three credit-reporting bureaus for any unknown accounts or inaccurate information.

There are several ways that scammers can steal your identity, including in person, online, through social media, and by phone. Scammers may: Steal your wallet or purse to get ID, credit, or bank cards. Go through your trash to retrieve bank statements or tax documents.

7. Block Access to Your Social Security Record. You can block electronic or telephone access to your Social Security record by calling the Social Security Administration at 800-772-1213. The agency offers this feature so that no one, not even you, can see or change your personal information that's on file.

Check your bank, investment, and credit card accounts for unfamiliar transactions. Flag anything and follow up with either the vendor or your bank or credit card company. Don't ignore small transactions. Identity thieves may make small purchases to test if a card or account number works before moving on to larger ones.

Reviewing your credit report

Open credit accounts – Make sure you recognize all of the credit accounts that are open under your name. If there are accounts you don't recognize, this could be a sign that someone has opened a credit card, utility, or loan using your name.

Check your Experian Credit Report

You can do this by requesting your free statutory credit report, or by signing up to CreditExpert. This will let you see if there's anything you don't recognise. If there is, we can help you query it with the lender.

Once identity thieves have your personal information, they can drain your bank account, run up charges on your credit cards, open new utility accounts, or get medical treatment on your health insurance. An identity thief might even file a tax return in your name and get your refund.

Inform your bank, building society and credit card company of any unusual transactions on your statement. Request a copy of your credit file to check for any suspicious credit applications. Report the theft of personal documents and suspicious credit applications to the police and ask for a crime reference number.

That's why it's crucial to check your credit report for any unfamiliar entries regularly. The three major credit reporting agencies – Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion – are required by federal law to provide you with a free report once a year.