Routinely monitor the balances of your financial accounts. Look for unexplained charges or withdrawals. Other indications of identity theft include:

• failing to receive bills or other mail, which may signal an address change by the identity thief,
• receiving credit cards for which you did not apply,
• being denied credit for no apparent reason, or
• receiving calls or letters from debt collectors or businesses about merchandise or services you did not buy.

Any of these icould be a result of a simple error, but you should follow up with the business or institution to find out.

If an identity thief is using your credit or opening new credit accounts in your name, these accounts are likely to show up on your credit report. Order a free copy of your credit report at www.annualcreditreport.com

Your credit report contains information on where you live, how you pay your bills, and whether you've been sued, arrested, or filed for bankruptcy. Your report is used by loan agencies, insurers, employers, and other businesses to evaluate your applications for credit, insurance, employment, or even renting a home, so make sure the information in your report is accurate.

If you find any inaccurate information, also check your reports from the other two credit bureaus. Note: If your personal information has been lost or stolen, you should check all of your reports more frequently for the first year.

• How You Can Safeguard Your Identity
• What to Do if it Happens To You
• More identity theft resources