The eight warning signs your identity has been stolen… and how to protect yourself

Reports of identity theft are increasing in the US, with more than 15 million people reporting their identities stolen in 2023.

If you’re concerned about protecting your identity in an age when hackers can quickly gain access to your passwords and breach your phone’s security, there are eight subtle signs that can help you stop cybercriminals.

Experts have stated that most identity theft protection services don’t really work because they don’t identify a problem until your accounts, finances, and credit score have been compromised.

Now there are tell-tale signs that can identify if someone is trying to access your personal information, including credit card test charges, junk emails, and issues with your streaming accounts.

By understanding what signs to look for, you can learn how to protect your identity, which can take months or years to correct.

Identity fraud cost Americans a collective $43 billion last year, including legal fees and covering fraudulent debts that were not covered or repaid by the bank or merchant, a recent study This was reported by the cybersecurity company Javelin.

Researchers found that affected consumers spent an average of ten hours resolving identity fraud, up from six hours in 2022.

“That’s a huge increase,” said Suzanne Sando, senior fraud and security analyst at Javelin AARP.

“I think it goes back to the fact that we have so many accounts. That certainly plays a role in this increase in resolution time.’

1. Unrecognized 2FA logins

If you have an online bank account, streaming service, or file your taxes electronically, you probably have two-factor authentication (2FA).

This is intended as an extra security measure that requires you to type a code that is sent to your email, by text message, or through an authenticator app, but unsolicited 2FA push notifications could mean someone is trying to access your accounts.

If you’re receiving these notifications that you didn’t ask for, it could mean someone has at least partially stolen your identity and has most of the information needed to access your accounts, as most require a password before the 2FA code.

You should take immediate action if you receive unrecognized 2FA alerts by checking your online accounts and credit reports to make sure nothing has been compromised and changing your password, according LifeHacker.

2. Problems with your streaming accounts

Some signs that your streaming account has been compromised include logging into your Spotify and hearing music that you weren’t playing or didn’t want to listen to, or if there are out-of-the-norm recommended shows and movies on your Netflix profile appear.

This activity does not necessarily mean that someone has stolen your identity, but it could mean that he or she is trying to do so.

Streaming accounts are perhaps the most unsecured, as simply going into your account settings with a password could allow someone to find your full name, home address, email address, date of birth, and more.

“(Criminals) know that most people use the same password on all their accounts,” James E. Lee, chief operating officer of the Identity Theft Resource Center, told AARP.

This information would make it easier for the person to hack into your other online accounts and steal your identity Goalkeeper Securityan international cybersecurity company.

3. Test the charges on your credit cards

Hackers typically run test charges on your credit card when they try to steal your money and identity to make sure the card is in use and to see if you notice the outgoing payments.

These charges would be in small increments, between $1 and $10, and would be done at something generic, like a bodega or an online shopping site.

“If you see a charge on your credit card that you don’t recognize, it’s important to take action right away,” said Lisa Plaggemier, executive director of the National Cybersecurity Alliance. USA today.

“Start by reviewing your recent transactions and contacting the merchant to clarify what the charges are for,” she added.

If you see these test charges, it is important to freeze your account immediately before calling the bank to cancel the credit card, issue you a new one and open an investigation into the fraudulent activity.

4. Major credit score fluctuations

Experts recommend that people check their credit scores regularly to ensure they have not changed drastically.

If your score has changed by more than a few points in either direction, it’s a clear sign that someone has stolen your identity.

Your credit score will obviously fluctuate from month to month, going up and down by different points, but it should never change so drastically.

A score that has risen, even temporarily, is a sign that someone has opened new credit cards in your name that would improve your credit rating, but this would be short-lived as it will tank after the person maxed out the credit cards and there fails to pay.

Take steps to dispute the information with the credit reporting company, explain what you think is wrong with it, and file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to open an investigation into the fraudulent activity.

5. Receiving strange junk mail

Receiving junk mail or emails could be a sign that someone is spending money under your name, inadvertently putting you on mailing lists that you otherwise wouldn’t have signed up for.

Another sign is if you start receiving email under someone else’s name, which is known as ‘synthetic identity theft’ – meaning someone has combined your personal information with made-up data to create a new identity .

If you notice this happening, check your credit reports to make sure your personal accounts or information have not been compromised.

6. Missing bank and credit card statements

If you no longer see bank and credit card statements and bills being emailed or posted to you, it could be a sign that someone has stolen your identity, according to the Federal Deposit Insurance Company.

Hackers will change the mailing or email address in your accounts so that you do not see the outgoing payments or charges.

If you notice this, log into your account to ensure you still have access and change your passwords and add any additional security such as a 2FA or verbal password.

Look for unauthorized charges or payments and contact the company’s fraud department if they have been applied to your account.

Also check that the email address and postal address in your account are still correct. If not, assume someone has stolen your identity.

7. Credit card problems

If you try to use your credit card but it gets declined when you make a purchase, your bank may have frozen or frozen the account.

This can happen if a purchase has been made for an exorbitant amount on the card or if too much unusual activity has taken place. The bank can mark this as suspicious.

Contact the bank to check why your card is not working and see if someone has taken over your account.

8. Tax Issues

A common method hackers use is tax fraud. This means they can steal your identity and file taxes on your behalf, while claiming a much higher income to get a better refund.

Signs that this has happened are if the IRS denies your application, tells you that you have already paid your taxes, if you receive an unexpected refund, or if the IRS sends you unexpected tax information.