Identity theft affects millions of people every year — and many victims don't find out until months after the damage is done. Here are the warning signs to watch for.
Warning signs you may already be a victim
- Unfamiliar charges on your bank or credit card statements.
- Bills or collection notices for accounts you never opened.
- Your credit score drops unexpectedly with no explanation.
- You're denied credit for no apparent reason.
- You receive tax documents for income you didn't earn.
- Medical bills arrive for treatment you never received.
What to do immediately if you suspect identity theft
1. Freeze your credit — Contact Equifax, TransUnion, and Experian to place a freeze. This prevents new accounts from being opened in your name.
2. Change your passwords — Start with email and banking. Use a password manager to generate strong unique passwords.
3. Review your credit report — Look for accounts or inquiries you don't recognize.
4. File a report — Report identity theft to your local authorities and the FTC at identitytheft.gov.
How to protect yourself going forward
A service like Incogni removes your personal data from data broker databases, making it much harder for criminals to find your information in the first place. Pair it with credit monitoring for complete protection.
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