Key facts
- Small credit card charges ($4 or less) can be a thief testing card validity.
- Missing mail may indicate a change-of-address request filed fraudulently.
- Unexpected tax forms (1099-K, W-2) from unknown employers signal Social Security number misuse.
- New accounts or unfamiliar inquiries on a credit report are red flags.
- Explanation of Benefits for medical care never received points to insurance information theft.
- Multifactor authentication prompts not initiated by the user suggest account compromise.
Identity theft often begins with subtle, easily overlooked signs rather than immediate dramatic events. Small charges on credit card statements, unexpected mail delivery issues, or unfamiliar tax forms can be early indicators that personal information has been compromised. The Federal Trade Commission reported a significant number of credit card fraud cases, highlighting this as a common category of identity theft. Missing mail could signal a fraudulent change-of-address request, while unusual tax forms might mean someone is using your Social Security number for employment. New accounts appearing on credit reports or medical Explanation of Benefits for services not received are also critical warnings. Multifactor authentication prompts that you did not initiate are another sign of potential account takeover.