Your credit can look normal while someone steals your identity

Credit monitoring can flag suspicious changes to a credit file, such as attempts to open new accounts, but a clear report does not prove that someone has not stolen or misused your identity. The article explains that criminals can target existing finances and services outside the credit reporting system, leaving victims unaware until a payment, notice or service disruption appears.

Examples include takeovers of existing bank, retirement or payment accounts; fraudulent tax or government benefit claims; medical identity theft; SIM swaps; and scams that persuade victims to send money by wire, payment app or gift card. These incidents may not affect a credit score, though unpaid medical bills could later cause financial complications, and sudden loss of mobile service may signal a SIM swap.