How to Manage Identity Theft

Have you ever received a late notice for an unfamiliar loan or account?

If so, you may already have been a victim of identity theft. When identity thieves take information like your Social Security number, birth date, or address, they may use it to take out loans or open new accounts in your name and then disregard payment. At this point, victims may learn that their identities have been stolen. Here are other signs that you may have become a victim of ID theft:

• You find unexplained charges, accounts, or requests for information on your credit report. There are unexpected withdrawals from your bank account or strange charges on your credit card statement.
• You receive credit cards for which you didn't apply.
• An application for credit, a loan, or mortgage is turned down for no apparent reason.
• You fail to receive bills or other mail because an identity thief has requested a "change of address" on these items.
• You receive calls from debt collectors or companies about services or merchandise you didn't purchase.