Identity Theft
Identity Theft is a major issue and it takes everyone working together to protect your information. We’re here to help. Warning Signs of Identity TheftWhat Do Thieves Do with Your Information?Once identity thieves have your personal information, they can drain your bank account, run up charges on your credit cards, open new utility accounts, or get medical treatment on your health insurance. An identity thief can file a tax refund in your name and get your refund. In some extreme cases, a thief might even give your name to the police during an arrest. Clues That Someone Has Stolen Your Information
If your wallet, Social Security number, or other personal information is lost or stolen, there are steps you can take to help protect yourself from identity theft. What information was lost or exposed?Social Security NumberIf a company responsible for exposing your information offers you free credit monitoring, take advantage of it. Get your free credit reports. Check for any accounts or charges you don’t recognize. Consider placing a freeze. A credit freeze makes it harder for someone to open a new account in your name. If you place a freeze, be ready to take a few extra steps the next time you apply for a new credit card or cell phone – or any service that requires a credit check. Try to file your taxes early — before a scammer can. Tax identity theft happens when someone uses your Social Security number to get a tax refund or a job. Respond right away to letters from the IRS. Don’t believe anyone who calls and says you’ll be arrested unless you pay for taxes or debt — even if they have part or all of your Social Security number, or they say they’re from the IRS. Continue to check your credit report. You can order a free report from each of the three credit reporting companies once a year. Online login or passwordLog in to that account and change your password. If possible, also change your username. If you can’t log in, contact the company. Ask them how you can recover or shut down the account. If you use the same password anywhere else, change that, too. Is it a financial site, or is your credit card number stored? Check your account for any charges that you don’t recognize. Debit or credit card numberContact your bank or credit card company to cancel your card and request a new one. Review your transactions regularly. Make sure no one misused your card. If you have automatic payments set up, update them with your new card number. Check your credit report, see information below. Bank account informationContact your bank to close the account and open a new one. Review your transactions regularly to make sure no one misused your account. If you have automatic payments set up, update them with your new bank account information. Check your credit report, see link below. Driver's license informationContact your nearest motor vehicles branch to report a lost or stolen driver’s license. The state might flag your license number in case someone else tries to use it, or they might suggest that you apply for a duplicate. Check your credit report, see link below. Children's personal informationRequest a credit freeze for your child. (not offered in all states) A credit freeze will make it difficult for someone to use your child’s information to open accounts. To place a freeze, follow the specific instructions for each credit bureau:
No matter what state you live in, you can check to see if your child has a credit report. Each bureau has specific instructions for these requests:
If a credit bureau has a credit report for your child, the credit bureau will send you a copy of the report. Use the instructions provided with the credit report to remove fraudulent accounts. Review the Federal Trade Commission’s information on Child Identity Theft. Cybersecurity Tips8 TIPS TO BE MORE CYBERSECURE
Additional resources about identity theft and being safe online: |