How do I check if someone is using my name?

To determine if someone is using your name, which often points to identity theft, regularly monitor your personal and financial accounts for any suspicious activity. Vigilance across various aspects of your financial and personal life is key to detecting unauthorized use of your identity.

Key Areas to Monitor for Identity Theft

Identity theft can manifest in many forms, from financial fraud to medical or tax-related schemes. Regularly checking the following areas can help you detect if someone is misusing your personal information.

1. Your Credit Reports

Your credit report is a detailed history of your borrowing and repayment habits, as well as accounts opened in your name. It's one of the first places to look for signs of identity theft.

• What to Look For:
  • Unfamiliar Accounts: Credit cards, loans, or other lines of credit you didn't open.
  • Hard Inquiries: Inquiries from creditors you don't recognize. These often occur when someone applies for credit in your name.
  • Incorrect Personal Information: Mismatched addresses, misspelled names, or unknown employers.
  • Public Records: Bankruptcies or liens you're not aware of.
• How to Check: You are entitled to a free copy of your credit report from each of the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) once every 12 months. You can access these reports through AnnualCreditReport.com. Consider staggering your requests (e.g., one every four months) to monitor your credit throughout the year.

2. Your Bank and Financial Statements

Reviewing your bank, credit card, and investment statements is critical for catching fraudulent transactions.

• What to Look For:
  • Unauthorized Transactions: Small charges you don't recognize, or large withdrawals.
  • New Accounts: Bank accounts, credit cards, or lines of credit opened in your name without your consent.
  • Changes to Account Information: Updates to your address, phone number, or email on existing accounts that you didn't initiate.
  • Missing Payments: Statements for accounts you thought were closed or never opened.

3. Unusual Mail or Communications

Unexpected mail or communications can be a red flag that someone is using your name or attempting to.

• What to Look For:
  • Bills for Unknown Services: Statements for medical procedures, utility services, or subscriptions you never used.
  • Debt Collection Notices: Demands for payment on debts you didn't incur.
  • Pre-Approved Credit Offers: Mail addressed to someone else at your address, or an unusual volume of offers for you.
  • Benefit Statements: Letters about unemployment benefits, welfare, or other government aid you didn't apply for.

4. Your Tax Returns

Tax identity theft occurs when someone uses your Social Security number to file a fraudulent tax return and claim a refund.

• What to Look For:
  • Rejected E-Filed Returns: Your e-filed tax return is rejected because someone else already filed using your Social Security number.
  • IRS Notices: Receiving an IRS notice about income you didn't earn, a tax return you didn't file, or a balance due for a tax year you know you paid.
  • Unexpected Tax Transcripts: Receiving tax documents for employers you never worked for.

5. Your Medical Statements

Medical identity theft involves someone using your personal information to obtain healthcare services, prescription drugs, or to make false claims with your insurer.

• What to Look For:
  • Bills for Services You Didn't Receive: Charges for doctor's visits, procedures, or prescriptions you didn't undergo.
  • Unfamiliar Diagnoses: Your medical records contain diagnoses or treatments that aren't yours.
  • Reached Benefits Limits: Being told you've reached your insurance benefits limit when you know you haven't used many services.
  • New Prescriptions: Notifications for prescriptions filled under your name that you didn't order.

6. Your Social Security Statements

Your Social Security statement provides a summary of your earnings history and estimated benefits. Regularly reviewing it helps ensure your record is accurate.

• What to Look For:
  • Unfamiliar Employers: Listings of employers you never worked for.
  • Earnings Discrepancies: Earnings amounts that don't match your actual income.
  • Multiple Employers: If you only had one job but your statement shows earnings from several.
  • Benefits You Didn't Apply For: Notices about Social Security benefits being paid out under your name that you didn't apply to receive.
• How to Check: You can create an account at the Social Security Administration website to access your statements online at any time.

Proactive Steps to Protect Your Identity

Beyond regular monitoring, taking proactive measures can significantly reduce your risk of identity theft:

• Set Up Fraud Alerts: Place a fraud alert on your credit file. This requires businesses to verify your identity before extending credit.
• Consider a Credit Freeze: A credit freeze restricts access to your credit report, preventing new credit accounts from being opened in your name.
• Monitor Online Presence: Use search engines to periodically search your name and see what information is publicly available.
• Secure Personal Information: Shred documents with sensitive information, use strong unique passwords for online accounts, and be wary of phishing attempts.

What to Do If You Suspect Identity Theft

If you discover any signs that someone is using your name, act quickly:

1. Contact Creditors/Institutions: Immediately notify any banks, credit card companies, or other institutions where fraudulent activity has occurred. Close affected accounts.
2. Report to the FTC: File a report with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at IdentityTheft.gov. This report is crucial for disputing errors and helps law enforcement.
3. File a Police Report: Consider filing a police report, especially if you know how your identity was stolen or if creditors require one.
4. Place Fraud Alerts/Freezes: Set up fraud alerts or a credit freeze with all three major credit bureaus.

Summary of Key Checks