How can you tell if your identity has been compromised?

It is very important that our members know how to tell if their identity has been compromised.  We want to make sure that you know the warning signs, so we made the following list for you:

1. Surprise! You’re denied. If your credit card is denied, find out why—especially if you always pay on time and haven’t reached your spending limit. Don’t shrug it off and assume your card will work the next time; investigate immediately.
2. Unexpected increase in an account balance. This could be a sign that someone made changes in your name and went shopping, hoping to leave you with the bill.
3. Unauthorized inquiries. If you see inquiries on your credit reports that you didn’t initiate, that’s a sign someone might be trying to open credit in your name.
4. Sudden drop in credit score. An unexplained drop in your credit score is a sign someone is using—and trashing—your credit.
5. Mysterious new account. The sooner you notice unauthorized accounts opened in your name, the faster you can shut them down.

Bottom line: Review your credit reports regularly. You can order one free credit report a year from each of the “big three” credit reporting agencies—Equifax, TransUnion, and Experian—at annualcreditreport.com. And keep an eye on your credit score. Ask at SIU Credit Union for help, or visit myfico.com. Finally, contact one of the credit bureau fraud units about placing a fraud alert on your file. Find contact and phone numbers at ftc.gov/identitytheft.