Victims find out that the Identity Theft or Fraud happened when the damage had been already done.  In many cases, though, the Victims may not find out that the crime had been committed for many months or years!  How is it possible? 

Well, many times, the thieves steal your personal information with the sole purpose of obtaining credit, making purchases or signing up for services in your name.  If you are vigilant about your credit history and finances, you will catch it fairly quickly.  However, there are times when you information such as Social Security Number is stolen for the purpose of obtaining a job here in the United States by illegal immigrants.   Actually, they are not the ones stealing it- they purchase SSNs and Driver’s license on the black market for about $100.00.  However, the illegal immigrants know exactly what they are doing; therefore, in my book, they are committing a crime.  I can’t really blame them for it as the life here in the US is full of opportunities unlike where they are coming from.  Every person age 25 and over gets his/her Social Security Statement annually, about 3 months prior to their Birthday.  So check your statement for any unusual earnings.  After all, you don’t want to have any problems with the IRS.    

If you apply for credit and get denied, make sure to request a copy of your credit report.  The entity which denies your application based on your credit history must be able to provide you with a copy of the credit report used to make a decision. 

What if you get contacted by a collections agency or a collection representative of your creditor inquiring about your delinquent account?  You know for a fact that you are current on everything, you keep track of everything and you have records to prove it.  There are cases in which the thieves run up the debt and file bankruptcy under the victim’s name.  Talk about finding out too late.

Some people find out they have been victimized when they receive notification of a delinquent utility, cell phone, or telephone account that does not belong to them.  Or may discover long distance calls on their telephone bill they never made. 

Make sure to monitor your money, mail, your credit and credit reports.  I know it is time consuming, but it will reduce the risk of becoming a victim.