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  Learn the warning signs of credit fraud, and get the credit information you need to protect yourself. Are you already a victim? Experian can help.
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  Improve your credit by understanding basic consumer credit information: what’s in a credit report, how to check it and how often you should review it.
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WHAT IS CREDIT FRAUD?

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What is Credit Fraud?

Credit Fraud Statistics

According to a variety of sources, losses to credit card fraud and identity theft are just a fraction of the total amount of credit card spending in the United States. Studies also have indicated losses due to default far exceed those caused by fraud. From that perspective, credit card fraud and identity theft may not seem all that high, but if it happens to you, it can seem overwhelming. But, to victims of credit fraud, these statistics are terrible. Though they may be protected financially, they are forced to endure major inconvenience. Additionally, we all pay for the costs of credit fraud in the form of higher prices, higher interest rates and increased inconvenience.

Types of Credit Fraud

Credit fraud is a broad term for the use of a credit card (or any comparable type of credit) to buy goods or services with the intention of evading payment. Credit fraud includes:

Identity theft: the unauthorized use of personal identification information to commit credit fraud or other crimes
Identity assumption: long-term victimization of identification information
Fraud spree: unauthorized charges on existing accounts

Sources of Credit Fraud

Just as there are various types of credit fraud, there also are different ways that credit thieves gather your personal information:

Using lost or stolen credit cards
Stealing from your mailbox
Looking over your shoulder during transactions
Going through your trash
Sending unsolicited email
Making false telephone solicitations
Looking at personnel records

Discovering Fraud

There are several warning signs that credit fraud may be occurring:

Your credit report contains inquiries or information about accounts that you did not open
Strange charges show up on billing statements
Bills arrive from unknown or unfamiliar sources
You receive calls from creditors or collection agencies

Credit Reporting

Improve your credit by understanding basic consumer credit information: what’s in a credit report, how to check it and how often you should review it.
Credit Scores

What are credit scores, and how are they calculated? Get the answers to your credit score questions.
Preventing Fraud

Learn the warning signs of credit fraud, and get the credit information you need to protect yourself. Are you already a victim? Experian can help.
Life Events and Credit

Find out how life events affect your credit and how to build good credit for the major purchases in your life.
Credit Advice

Ask Experian

Get credit information on the hottest topics from Experian’s team.
Preapproved Credit Offers

What’s in a credit report, how can you check it and how often should you review it? Make sure your credit information is accurate and check your Experian, Equifax and TransUnion reports side-by-side with Experian’s 3 Bureau Online Credit Report.
- Mailing Lists and
  Preapproved Offers
- Opt Out
FAQs
Glossary of Credit Terms

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Personal Services

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