How often should I monitor my credit report for signs of identity theft?

Monitoring your credit report for signs of identity theft is an important part of protecting yourself in Illinois. Generally, you should review your credit report at least once a year. It is important to look for any suspicious activity, such as accounts that you do not recognize, incorrect personal information, and credit inquiries from sources that you do not know. Additionally, if you have been a victim of identity theft or suspect someone is using your identity, you should review your credit report more frequently. In Illinois, you have the right to obtain a free credit report from each of the three credit reporting bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) once a year. It’s a good idea to spread out the reports to review each one every four months. You can obtain your free reports online, by mail, or by phone. Because credit reports are maintained by individual companies, you may need to contact each one directly to request a report. Once you have received your credit report and reviewed it for any suspicious activity, you should report any unauthorized activity to the creditors and contact the major credit bureaus to alert them of the fraud. If you are an Illinois resident who is a victim of identity theft, you should file a report with the Illinois Attorney General’s Office. Additionally, you can contact the Federal Trade Commission and your local law enforcement agency to file a report.

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How often should I monitor my credit report for signs of identity theft?

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