How should I use my credit report to find signs of identity theft? What should I look for?

If you find inaccuracies or suspicious activity on your credit reports, notify the credit bureau as soon as possible by telephone and in writing. If you are a member, call our Customer Support immediately. Here’s what you should look for:

  • Make sure all the information in your report is correct and up to date. Incorrect personal information such as an address, SSN, variations of your name (i.e. Jr. and Sr.), and employers could be a sign of identity theft.
  • Look for other warning signs: any accounts you didn’t open or apply for, and any debts you don’t recognize on legitimate accounts.
  • Check for inquiries from creditors you don’t know about. Banks and credit card companies will look at your credit reports before opening an account, so an inquiry could be a sign that someone is trying to open accounts in your name. However, banks and credit card companies often inquire about consumers’ creditworthiness to target their marketing efforts, so it’s possible that an inquiry is not related to identity theft.
Updated on October 21, 2020

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