“`html

Protect Yourself from Identity Theft

Identity theft occurs when criminals obtain your sensitive information and use it to impersonate you, often stealing money or borrowing in your name. Because criminals can access your data through various means, you may not realize you’ve been targeted until the thief is already using your information.

Signs of Identity Theft

By learning the following telltale signs and checking for them regularly, you may be able to detect identity theft early and act before there’s significant damage to your finances or credit. Here are 10 signs of identity theft to know:

1. Unrecognized Bank or Credit Card Transactions

Unauthorized transactions on your bank or credit card accounts can indicate that criminals are using your debit or credit card to steal your money. Regularly review your transactions to spot suspicious activity right away. If you notice an unauthorized charge, contact your bank or credit card’s fraud department immediately.

2. Unfamiliar Inquiries on Your Credit Report

Unfamiliar inquiries on your credit report could indicate that a criminal has applied for credit using your personal information. Regularly checking your credit reports can help you notice unauthorized inquiries right away. If you spot a strange inquiry, contact the lender using the information included in the inquiry listing on your credit report.

3. Unexpected Bills or Statements

If you receive a bill for goods or services you never purchased, or statements from a bank or credit card account you never opened, it could be a sign of fraudulent activity. Contact the company or institution about any unauthorized transactions and report it to the appropriate authorities.

4. Missing Mail

If a regular bill, bank, or credit card statement stops arriving on its regular schedule, it could indicate an account takeover scheme. Follow up with the relevant company to find out where your bills may be going if any are missing.

5. Unexpected Drop in Credit Score

A sudden drop in your credit score with no discernible cause could be a sign of credit fraud. If an identity thief takes out a loan or credit card in your name, they’ll inevitably fail to make payments on that debt, causing your credit score to drop.

6. Denied Credit Applications

If you have a solid credit history and lenders have been willing to extend you loans or credit cards in the past, getting turned down on one or more credit applications could be a sign that criminals have damaged your credit.

7. Rejected Tax Return

If you try to file your tax return and are denied, it could be a sign of tax fraud. Criminals file fraudulent tax returns using stolen identities to steal tax refunds from victims. If this happens to you, the IRS will prompt you to complete Form 14039, Identity Theft Affidavit.

8. Debt Collectors Contact You

If you receive letters, phone calls, or emails from collection agencies seeking payment on a debt you don’t owe, it could be another sign of identity theft. A criminal may have run up a bill in your name.

9. Unusual Activity on Your Social Security Account

Because Social Security numbers are used as personal identifiers by many financial institutions and the federal government, they’re popular targets for identity thieves. Set up a free account with the Social Security Administration and check your Social Security Statement regularly.

10. Data Breach Involvement

Having your data exposed in a breach puts you at risk of being targeted by identity thieves. After a breach, your personal information could be circulated by hackers and used to open accounts in your name or commit other acts of credit and financial fraud.

How Identity Thieves Get Your Information

Identity thieves gain access to their victims’ information through a range of tactics, including:

• Data breaches
• Phishing
• Physical theft
• Social media
• Shoulder surfing

How to Report Identity Theft

To report identity theft, follow these steps:

1. Report suspected identity theft to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) by visiting IdentityTheft.gov.
2. Notify your bank, credit card company, or other financial institutions right away by contacting their fraud departments.
3. Place a fraud alert or security freeze on your credit reports at the three national credit bureaus (Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax).

Contact O1ne Mortgage for Assistance

If you need any mortgage services or have questions about protecting your financial information, don’t hesitate to contact O1ne Mortgage at 213-732-3074. Our team of experts is here to help you secure your financial future.

“`