Identity fraud on your credit report usually leaves clear, telltale signs. Here are reliable indicators and steps to confirm them directly from your credit records. Core signs on your credit report

• Unfamiliar accounts or loans listed in your name that you did not open
• Hard inquiries from lenders you did not authorize or apply with
• Balances or delinquencies on accounts you don’t recognize
• Personal information (address, employer, SSN) that is incorrect or has changed without your awareness
• New credit inquiries or account openings occurring around the same time as a suspicious tax refund, medical bill, or debt collection activity

What to do if you suspect identity theft

• Obtain your free credit reports from the three major bureaus (you’re entitled to a free annual copy from each, and you can request them more often if you suspect fraud). Review each report for unfamiliar accounts, inquiries, or personal data changes.
• Place a fraud alert or consider a credit freeze:
  • Fraud alert: This makes lenders take extra steps to verify your identity before opening new credit in your name. It’s free and typically lasts one year (renewable).
  • Credit freeze: This restricts access to your credit report, making new accounts harder to open. It’s free in many places and can be lifted temporarily if you’re applying for credit.
• Dispute fraudulent items with the credit bureau and the affected creditors. Clearly identify what’s inaccurate, provide any supporting documentation (police report, identity theft affidavit, etc.), and follow up until the items are corrected or removed.
• File a police report for identity theft and keep a copy. You can also file an official identity theft report with the FTC and use their ID Theft Affidavit when working with creditors.
• Monitor your accounts and set up alerts for new activity. If possible, enroll in a credit monitoring service or enable alerts with your banks and lenders.
• Check for related issues beyond credit reports, such as tax documents, mail delivery problems, or unexpected bills, which can be additional theft signals.

Practical tips to reduce risk going forward

• Use strong, unique passwords and enable multi-factor authentication on financial accounts.
• Regularly review bank and card statements, not just credit reports.
• Consider a privacy audit: verify that your personal details (mailing address, contact numbers, employment) are current only where you expect them to be.
• Be cautious of phishing emails, fake calls, and other scams attempting to harvest your data.

If you’d like, share your location and I can tailor official resources and contact steps for your country or region, including the appropriate credit bureaus and government consumer protection agencies.