Unfortunately, criminals all over the world are working hard to steal people’s identity. They know that if they can convince businesses that they are somebody they are not, they can make off with a vast amount of cash. If you’re the victim of identity theft, it can have massive repercussions on your life, including being accused of crimes you did not commit.
It is essential, therefore, that you know the telltale signs to look out for, which indicates that somebody might have taken your identity or data.
You Get Turned Down For Loans Or Credit Cards
If you have a good credit score but get turned down for loans or credit cards, it could be because somebody has stolen your identity. If credit rating agencies detect that you’re currently borrowing a lot of money, they will reduce your credit score, stopping lenders from giving you money.
Also, keep an eye out for high-interest rates. This is another sign that lenders don’t trust you, perhaps because of the fraudulent activities of an identity thief.
The Authorities Reject Your Tax Return
Usually, when you submit a tax return, the tax authorities accept it at face value and never bother following it up. But when somebody has stolen your identity, you may find that the IRS takes more interest in your earnings. Often, you’ll get an injunction, especially if somebody filed a return fraudulently.
You Get Billed For Purchases You Didn’t Buy
The people behind LifeLock ID protection – a security company – talk about the risks of identity theft. They point out that anyone can fall victim to the scammers.
If you lose your wallet, for instance, you’re relying on the honesty of strangers to return it to you. But people won’t always do the right thing. Sometimes they’ll use the information in your wallet to make online purchases. Remember, you don’t always need to enter a PIN to buy stuff. Often, you can use the security code on the back, and that will suffice to convince credit card companies it is you, even when it isn’t.
Getting billed for things you didn’t buy, therefore, is a sure sign of identity theft. You need to regularly check your statements every month to make sure that you haven’t fallen foul of the fraudsters.
Household Bills Suddenly Stop Coming In The Mail
Even if fraudsters get hold of your identity information, they still need to take specific actions to convince people that they are, in fact, you. One of the first things that they do, therefore, is redirect mail to a different address so that they can prove where they live.
If you notice that your utility bills no longer come in the post, therefore, it could be an indication of identity theft. Ring up your utility provider and ask them what happened. If they tell you that you recently changed your address when you didn’t, you should speak to an identity theft expert to plan out what you should do next. Don’t leave it to chance.
