How can I tell if I am a victim of identity theft?
Monitor both your financial and public record information and look for any of these occurrences:
- Receiving credit cards for which you did not apply
- Being denied credit for no apparent reason
- Receiving calls or letters from debt collectors or businesses about merchandise or services you did not buy
Although any of these indications could be a result of a simple clerical error, you should not assume that there's been a mistake and do nothing. Always follow up with the business or institution to find out. You can also review your credit report for indications of fraudulent activity.