Is Your Identity At Risk? Look For These Key Signs

With today's 'always on,' 24/7 online availability, identity theft can happen at any point in time. And individuals may only realize it’s been stolen once it’s too late. 

Don’t let identity theft impact you: stay on top of these warning signs that your information could be in danger.

Getting calls from creditors or debt collectors

You probably get calls from unknown phone numbers, but do you listen to the voicemail afterwards? You might want to start. Random calls from creditors or debt collectors could be a sign that a scammer has made purchases on your behalf. It’s worth going out of your way to answer or return calls from legitimate sources, which could help you better know the status of your identity.

Discovering unfamiliar charges on your bank statements

If you believe someone has made purchases on your behalf, you will want to check your bank statements for verification. Even small, inexpensive charges you might not recognize could indicate identity theft.  If you receive physical statements in the mail, consider changing them to electronic delivery, as the ability to view them at any time can help you recover your identity more quickly if it were to be stolen.

Discovering new credit accounts or inquiries

It’s crucial to review your complete credit history and credit report at least once per year. Any unauthorized inquiries, especially a hard pull on your credit, could be a sign of identity theft.

Note: A hard credit pull occurs when a lender accesses your credit file with your permission as part of the credit application process for a credit card, loan, etc.

Consumers are required to receive notice if a hard pull is being performed, so if you discover a hard pull and believe you did not receive notice, dispute the inquiry with the company listed and the three reporting agencies.

Note: Consumers are entitled to receive a free copy of their credit report once every 12 months from all three reporting agencies.

There are many factors when it comes to keeping your identity secure. While protecting your social security number, bank statements, and personal information is essential, your passwords are just as important. Use these tips to strengthen your passwords and reduce your risk of identity theft.

  • Use at least 12 characters. A 12-character password takes 62 trillion times longer to crack than a six-character password.
  • Include capitalization, numbers, and symbols to make your password more complex.
  • Use passphrases: As@nemploy33,ur@membr2! (As an employee, you’re a member too!)

If you believe you’re a victim of identity theft, contact your financial institution and file a report with the Federal Trade Commission immediately.