How to Detect Unauthorized Credit Report Checks Without Your Permission
Any sensible person should be registered with all three primary credit bureaus and have credit monitoring on all their credit card issuers, including car and house loans. These measures help ensure that you are promptly notified if someone tries to pull your credit report without your permission. Typically, these bureaus will not permit a credit check if you have frozen your credit. Similarly, if a business cannot check your credit because of this freeze, they would inform you of the situation.
Who Can Access Your Credit Report?
When you request a copy of your credit report, you can see a list of entities that have made inquiries and accessed your credit. These entities are listed for your review. They can only view your credit report if they have your Social Security number, so it is important to be cautious about who you provide this information to, unless there is a valid reason.
A Social Security number is often required for employment or when applying for rental housing. However, if you request a copy of your credit report, you will see a detailed list of any entities that have accessed your credit report within the last year, including any employers or prospective employers who have requested your report for employment purposes within the last two years.
Monitoring Credit Reports for Unauthorized Access
It is crucial to pull all three of your credit reports and review the number of inquiries. If you recognize any entities, it is a sign that someone has checked your credit report without permission. You should be wary of unauthorized inquiries, as they can indicate potential identity theft or other fraudulent activities.
Unauthorized inquiries can be detected from a soft inquiry, where the entity merely inquires about your credit without the intent to make a lending decision. Soft inquiries are common and should not raise immediate alarms, but repeated soft inquiries over time might warrant a closer look.
A hard inquiry, on the other hand, typically indicates a more serious activity, such as someone attempting to open a new account in your name or from someone who has stolen your identity. If this is the case, you should take immediate action to secure your credit and investigate the cause of the unauthorized access.
Preventing Identity Theft and Unauthorized Access
Identity theft can occur when someone with sufficient information, including details not found in your purse or wallet, can pretend to be you and view your credit report. This illegal act is a form of identity theft and should be reported immediately. In less extreme cases, a person can check your credit report with the intent to extend credit to you. You should be especially vigilant if this happens.
To protect yourself further, consider setting up credit monitoring services. These services notify you of any changes, including inquiries, to your credit report. This monitoring can be a valuable tool for anyone concerned about identity theft or simply wanting to stay informed about the information being reported to the credit bureaus.
Conclusion
Being aware of who has accessed your credit report is crucial in protecting yourself from unauthorized use of your personal information. Regularly checking your credit reports and setting up credit monitoring can provide you with peace of mind and help you quickly address any potential issues before they become major problems. Stay vigilant and informed to safeguard your financial health.