How to Recognize Identity Theft and What to Do if You Become a Victim

Protecting your identity has become increasingly important as society becomes more digital. Since each situation is unique, the appropriate actions will vary depending on the case. Practical advice tailored to your circumstances is also available in the Suomi.fi guide: Were You Affected by a Data Leak or Breach?

7 Signs That You May Be a Victim of Identity Theft

If you notice any of these signs, it’s important to act quickly to stop the identity theft:

1. You receive a bill or debt collection letter for a product or service you did not purchase
2. You receive a notification (text message, phone call, email, or letter) about a service you did not order
3. There is an unrecognized charge on your bank account
4. You receive loan application forms that you did not request
5. Your loan application is denied, even though your credit rating is in good standing
6. You stop receiving mail from current service providers, such as your phone operator or magazine subscription. You may also receive a notification about a change in your address details.
7. You are notified of a credit check, even though you have not made any recent purchases

Source: Asiakastieto: 7 Signs That You Are a Victim of Identity Theft

If you notice any of these signs, promptly contact the bill senders and the police. Below are more tips for various situations.

If Your Personal Information Is Being Misused for Fraud

1. If necessary, set up a credit freeze
2. Verify your address information with the Digital and Population Data Services Agency and the Post Office, and correct your details if needed. Set up address disclosure restrictions if necessary
3. Gather evidence (such as order confirmations and related messages), contact the police, and file a crime report
4. Contact the organizations targeted by the fraud (for example, stores where items are ordered using stolen personal information) and file complaints about the orders if needed
5. If needed, submit a contact request to Victim Support Finland

If Your Personal Information Is Used for Harassment or Bullying

1. Request the removal of fake profiles or false messages from social media, search engines, and other services
2. Verify your address information with the Digital and Population Data Services Agency and the Post Office, and correct your details if needed. Set up address disclosure restrictions if necessary
3. If your social media or other online accounts have been hacked, read more here: Your Social Media Account Has Been Hacked – Here’s What to Do
   1. Change your password
   2. Some online services allow you to view all active logins. Close any active sessions through the service’s settings
   3. Enable two-factor authentication if possible
   4. Verify that the email address used for password recovery is correct
   5. Request assistance from the service provider if necessary to restore your account
4. Gather evidence (such as screenshots), contact the police, and file a crime report if necessary
5. If needed, submit a contact request to Victim Support Finland

If Your Payment Card Information Is Misused

1. Immediately block your payment card through the card-blocking service and report the misuse to your bank or card issuer
2. Record details of unauthorized transactions and, if necessary, file a crime report with the police
3. Request corrections from your card issuer for unauthorized charges
4. If an unauthorized payment was made through a third-party payment service (e.g., PayPal) or an online store, contact the service provider to report the issue and request a refund
5. If needed, submit a contact request to Victim Support Finland

Additional practical tips: Suomi.fi Guide: Were You Affected by a Data Leak or Breach?

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