How To Know if Your Identity Has Been Stolen

Some signs that indicate your identity may have been stolen include seeing charges you didn’t make on your bank account statement, new inquiries on your credit report, an unusual drop in your credit score, credit checks you didn’t initiate, your credentials being posted on the dark web and more.

Continue reading to learn more indications that your identity has been stolen and what to do if you’re a victim.

What Is Identity Theft and How Does It Happen?

Identity theft refers to stealing and using an individual’s sensitive information without their permission – typically for financial gain or other malicious purposes. This stolen data can include details like your full name, Social Security number, credit card details, bank account information and more. Threat actors use this information to pretend to be you, so they can open new accounts in your name or commit crimes.

There are several ways that identity theft can happen, some of which include the following. 

• A threat actor gains access to your account. Threat actors are able to access accounts due to weak or reused passwords, or through credentials that have been exposed in a data breach. Once a cybercriminal gains access to your account, they can gather personal information and use it for malicious purposes, such as stealing your identity.
• Your data was exposed in a breach. Data breaches occur when cybercriminals hack into databases containing sensitive information. If a company or organization that holds your personal data suffers a breach, your information could be exposed to threat actors. This stolen data might include usernames, passwords and even financial data. Threat actors can then use this information to commit identity theft.
• Malware was installed on your device. Malware, such as viruses, spyware or keyloggers, can be unknowingly installed on your computer or mobile device through malicious downloads, email attachments or compromised websites. Once installed, these malicious programs can track your keystrokes, record your online activities and gain access to your personal information, which can be used to steal your identity.
• You fell for a phishing scam. Phishing is a cyber attack in which cybercriminals send fraudulent emails, messages or links to websites that appear to be from reputable sources. They often aim to trick you into providing personal information or clicking on malicious links. If you fall for a phishing scam and end up sharing sensitive information like passwords, credit card numbers or Social Security details, the threat actor can use this information to steal your identity.

10 Signs Your Identity Has Been Stolen

Here are a few warning signs of a stolen identity. 

1. Charges you didn’t make on your bank account 

Seeing purchases or withdrawals from your bank account that you didn’t make is not just a mere inconvenience – it’s a clear warning sign that someone might have committed credit card fraud or even worse, stolen your identity. These unauthorized transactions can range from seemingly harmless charges to more significant expenses that could put you in a negative balance.

2. New inquiries on your credit report

Your credit report contains a record of companies checking your credit history, known as inquiries. If you come across unfamiliar companies making inquiries about your credit, it’s a sign that someone might be attempting to open credit cards or take out loans under your name.

3. Unusual drop in your credit score

Your credit score reflects your financial health. If it suddenly goes down for no clear reason, it could suggest someone is using your credit poorly, like missing payments or opening lots of accounts in your name. 

4. Credit checks you didn’t initiate

Receiving notifications regarding credit checks or applications that you never initiated is another telltale sign that someone could be attempting to obtain credit using your identity. For instance, you might receive an alert stating that you applied for a loan you never actually requested.

5. Finding your credentials on the dark web

The dark web is a hidden part of the internet where all kinds of illegal activity takes place such as the trafficking of stolen personal information. If you find out your personal information or passwords are being sold on the dark web, it’s a sign someone stole them and is using that information to steal your identity.

6. Unexpected medical bills

Getting bills for medical treatments or prescription drugs you’ve never received means someone might be using your identity to seek medical treatment. This is also known as medical identity theft. 

7. Used-up health insurance coverage

If your health insurance says you’ve used all your benefits, but you haven’t been to the doctor much, someone could be using your insurance for their own medical needs. You might also notice that your insurance has covered treatments you never received. 

8. Calls from debt collectors

Debt collectors are individuals who chase after unpaid bills. If they call you about debts you don’t recognize, someone might have opened accounts or borrowed money in your name.

9. Trouble signing in to your online accounts

If you suddenly can’t access your online accounts using the correct credentials, it might mean someone changed your passwords or locked you out. For example, you might not be able to log in to your social media or bank accounts even with your usual password.

10. Having a loan application denied

If an application for a loan or credit card is unexpectedly denied, it could be due to someone harming your credit by utilizing your identity to take out loans that were never repaid.

What To Do if You Are a Victim of Identity Theft

If you find out you’re a victim of identity theft, you should contact your credit issuers and banks, freeze your credit, report your stolen identity and change all of your passwords.

Immediately contact your credit card issuers and banks

As soon as you suspect that your identity has been stolen, get in touch with your credit card companies and banks. Tell them about the unauthorized transactions and ask them to block any further activity. You can get in contact with your bank by going to the website or calling the number on the back of your credit or debit card. 

Once you notify them, they’ll most likely cancel your current credit card and send you a new one with new numbers. 

Freeze your credit with each bureau

You’ll also want to contact the three major credit bureaus: Experian, TransUnion and Equifax. To request a credit freeze, you’ll need to contact each bureau separately. Freezing your credit will prevent anyone, including the thief, from opening new accounts in your name. 

You can lift the credit freeze at any time, you may just be asked a few verification questions before the freeze can be lifted. 

Report your stolen identity 

Reporting the identity theft will help you in resolving the issue and recover your stolen identity. Here’s who you should be reporting your identity theft to:

• Federal Trade Commission (FTC): You can file a complaint with the FTC by visiting IdentityTheft.gov. The FTC will provide a step-by-step guide and resources to help you recover from identity theft. 
• Police: Contact your local police department and file a report about your identity theft. Filing a report with the police might be required by institutions, like your bank, to prove that you’re a victim.
• Debt collectors: If you’re contacted by debt collectors for debts you didn’t incur, inform them that you’re a victim of identity theft. Provide them with the relevant documentation, like your FTC complaint or police report.

Change the passwords to all of your online accounts

Another important step to take after discovering you’re a victim of identity theft is immediately changing the passwords to all of your online accounts. If a threat actor was able to steal your identity, they might have also gained access to your accounts. 

On average, an individual has 100 passwords, so changing them all on your own is difficult to do. We recommend using a password manager like Keeper to aid you in quickly changing your passwords to ones that are strong and unique. 

Safeguard Your Identity From Theft

Being a victim of identity theft can be distressing, but taking the steps above can help you regain control over your personal information and finances. The key is to act quickly to minimize damage caused by the theft.

To safeguard yourself from identity theft risks in the future, it’s important to adopt proactive measures like the following: 

• Use strong and unique passwords for your accounts, as this adds an extra layer of protection.
• Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) to ensure that even if your password is compromised, unauthorized access is significantly less likely, since the threat actor would have to provide a second method of verification to access your account.
• Sign up for a dark web monitoring service that can help you stay informed about potential breaches of your personal information. A noteworthy option for dark web monitoring is BreachWatch®, which keeps an eye on the dark web for any signs of your exposed credentials and notifies you immediately when your credentials are found. 

By staying informed and taking preventative steps, you can greatly reduce the chances of falling victim to identity theft and keep your personal information safe from harm.