• Failing to receive bills or other mail signaling an address change by the identity thief.

• Receiving credit cards for which you did not apply.

• Receiving calls from debt collectors or companies about merchandise or services you never bought.

• Denial of credit for no apparent reason.

You may not realize you are a victim of identity theft until you try to obtain additional credit in your name, which usually requires a check of your credit report or until a few months of nonpayment on accounts that thieves have opened assuming your identity.