by Luanne Kadlub
With frequent headlines about data breaches and stolen passwords affecting millions if not billions world-wide, one question we hear a lot is: How can you tell if your identity has indeed been stolen?
1st, as a preventative measure, it’s important to change passwords to all accounts on a regular basis, if not every month, at least every four to six months, regardless of what the headlines say.
2nd, you should request your free credit report from each of the three primary credit-reporting firms annually. BBB recommends spreading out the requests over the year rather than all at once. You can do this at annualcreditreport.com.
When you receive the credit reports, review them carefully. Look for inquiries from companies you haven’t contacted, accounts you didn’t open, and debts on your accounts that you can’t explain. Check that information like your Social Security number, address(es), name or initials, and employers are correct.
If you find fraudulent or inaccurate information, take steps to get it removed. Learn how by going to saveandinvest.org’s Correcting Fraudulent Information in Credit Reports at bit.ly/1og4v6T.
- Your BBB advises watching for these additional signs that ID theft may have occurred:
- You fail to receive bills or other mail. Follow up with creditors if bills don’t arrive on time. A missing bill could mean an identity thief has taken over your account and changed your billing address to cover his tracks.
- You receive credit cards you didn’t apply for.
- You’re denied credit or offered less favorable credit terms for no apparent reason.
- You get calls or letters from debt collectors or businesses about merchandise or services you didn’t buy.
Start With Trust. For more consumer tips and information, visit bbb.org.
~ Luanne Kadlub, Communications Editor, BBB Serving Northern Colorado and Wyoming. 970-488-2044, Toll Free: 800-564-0370 Ext. 135, wynco.bbb.org Start With Trust®. 8020 S. County Road 5, Ste. 100, Fort Collins, CO 80528.