How to Check for Identity Theft

Contributor

By Kristie Lorette
eHow Contributing Writer

Article Rating:

(17 Ratings)

Check for Identity Theft

Being a victim of identity theft can be emotionally and financially draining. Prevention is the key to avoiding the hassles that identity theft can bring to your life. You also need to check your financial situation on a regular basis to see if you have been a victim.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Credit card and other bills
Credit report

How to Check for Identity Theft

Step 1

Check your bill statements. Whether you receive your bills electronically or by snail mail, be sure to carefully check your bill statements every month. If you see any activity on your accounts that does not belong to you, contact the bill company immediately. If you have been a victim of identity theft, you may receive bills from companies you don't even have an account with. Again, contact these companies immediately to report that the account is not valid and does not belong to you.
Step 2

Check your bank statements. Thieves tend to be sneaky and come up with unique ways to steal your money. Whether it is stealing one of your bank checks or using your debit card number to make purchases, you need to look for unauthorized transactions on your bank statements each month also.
Step 3

Check your credit report. At least once or twice a year, you should pull and check your credit report from all three of the credit agencies: Experian, Equifax and TransUnion. Review all the personal information on all three of the credit reports. Check for accuracy of facts, as well as unauthorized credit accounts, loans or other types of transactions that do not belong to you. Report any inaccuracies to each of the credit agencies immediately.
Step 4

Be aware. The key to checking to see if you have become a victim of identity theft is to be aware. Carefully review all of your financial records on a regular basis. Make sure these records are accurate and work on correcting any inaccuracies immediately. By being active in your financial situation, you will help to ensure you do not become a victim, and if you do fall prey to an identity thief that you can head it off at the pass before it blows up into a major financial problem.

Comments

Shamontiel said

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on 10/17/2009 I interviewed a hacker for the "Chicago Defender" newspaper, and by the end of that conversation, I wanted to review everything in sight. Hackers are a trip! Anyway, good how-to piece. One I would've added was the importance of changing email passwords.

Fike said

on 10/17/2009 So true, and so easy to overlook! 5*

Diablo2 said

on 10/17/2009 Great piece of information.

frugalmomi said

on 10/17/2009 The best way is stay on top of your money . Check check check . All good advice. 5* use cash for small restaurants and places that seem like that might lose your information too .