9 warning signs of identity theft you should never ignore

Identity theft can start quietly. You may not see a drained bank account or a maxed-out credit card. The first warning could be a strange letter in the mail, an unfamiliar inquiry on your credit report or a password-reset alert you never requested.

Those little clues are easy to brush off, but catching them early can give you more time to protect your money, credit and accounts. One unusual message does not automatically mean someone has stolen your identity, so do not panic. Instead, verify...