5 Signs Your Identity Has Been Compromised (and What to Do)
Identity theft is more common than most people realize, and it rarely announces itself. By the time many victims notice something is wrong, the damage has already been done. Accounts have been opened. Credit has been used. Personal information has moved through systems that are difficult to trace.
Knowing what to look for is the first step to catching it early. Here are five signs your identity may have been compromised, and exactly what to do if you recognize any of them.
Sign 1: Unfamiliar Accounts or Inquiries on Your Credit Report
This is one of the clearest signs of identity theft. If you pull your credit report and find accounts you don’t recognize, or see hard inquiries from lenders you never contacted, someone may be using your personal information to apply for credit in your name.
You’re entitled to a free credit report from each of the three major bureaus, Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion, through AnnualCreditReport.com. Review each one carefully, including the accounts section and the inquiries section.
Family First members can also monitor their credit score for free directly inside online banking. Any unexpected changes to your score can be an early indicator that something is off, even before a full report review. Visit home.familyfirstny.com/credit-building-solutions to learn more about the credit monitoring tools available to you.
Sign 2: Bills or Collection Notices for Things You Did Not Buy
Receiving a bill or collection notice for an account you never opened is a serious red flag. Scammers who steal identities often max out credit lines or rack up charges quickly, knowing the victim may not discover it for months.
If you receive a bill or collection call for an account you don’t recognize, don’t ignore it and don’t pay it without investigating first. Request written verification of the debt and pull your credit report immediately to see if additional accounts appear.
Sign 3: You Stop Receiving Expected Mail
If your regular mail suddenly stops arriving, including bank statements, credit card bills, or other financial documents, someone may have submitted a change of address form in your name. This is a common tactic used to redirect mail so the victim doesn’t notice fraudulent activity.
Contact your financial institutions directly if you stop receiving expected statements. You can also contact USPS to verify no unauthorized change of address has been submitted under your name.
Sign 4: You Are Denied Credit Unexpectedly
If you apply for a loan, credit card, or apartment and are denied despite having what you believe is a reasonable credit history, it may be worth digging into why. Unexpected denials can indicate that fraudulent accounts or delinquent activity you don’t know about is dragging your credit score down.
When you’re denied credit, the lender is required to tell you why and which credit bureau they used. Request a copy of the report they pulled and review it for anything unfamiliar.
Sign 5: Suspicious Activity on Your Bank or Credit Card Accounts
Small, unfamiliar charges are often a warning sign. Fraudsters frequently test stolen card numbers with small transactions before making larger ones. If you notice a charge you don’t remember, even a dollar or two, look into it before assuming it’s a merchant rounding error.
Set up account alerts through Family First online banking so you receive a notification every time a transaction hits your account. Real-time alerts are one of the most effective ways to catch unauthorized activity before it escalates.
If you see something you don’t recognize on your Family First account, call us immediately at 585.586.8225 or visit home.familyfirstny.com/cybersecurity-and-fraud for additional fraud resources.
What to Do If You Recognize Any of These Signs
Act quickly. The sooner you respond to suspected identity theft, the easier it is to limit the damage.
First, place a fraud alert with one of the three credit bureaus. Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion are required to share the alert with each other, so one call covers all three. A fraud alert requires lenders to take extra steps to verify your identity before opening new accounts.
Next, consider placing a credit freeze. A freeze prevents new credit from being opened in your name entirely and is the strongest protection available. You can freeze and unfreeze your credit for free at each bureau.
File a report with the Federal Trade Commission at IdentityTheft.gov. The site walks you through a personalized recovery plan and generates official documentation you can use with creditors and law enforcement.
Contact your financial institutions directly, including Family First, to report suspected fraud and review your accounts. Our team can help you monitor for additional activity and advise on next steps. Visit home.familyfirstny.com/cybersecurity-and-fraud or call us at 585.586.8225.
Prevention Starts With Staying Informed
Identity theft thrives in the gap between when it happens and when you find out. Monitoring your credit, setting up account alerts, and reviewing statements regularly are the habits that close that gap.
At Family First, protecting our Rochester area members from financial fraud is something we take seriously. Our cybersecurity and fraud resources page at home.familyfirstny.com/cybersecurity-and-fraud is a starting point for understanding the threats and the steps you can take to stay protected.
