It might be a phone call from a collection agency, wanting back rent for an apartment you’ve never lived in. Maybe the bank refuses to renew your mortgage, citing a lien on your home you know nothing about. Or the bills just start arriving for credit cards, cell phones or other things you don’t have and didn’t buy.
However it happens, discovering that your identity has been stolen can be terrifying. There may be no way to avoid the hassles and headaches that are to come, but knowing what to do can lessen some of the anxiety.