Identity Theft

What is identity theft?

Identity theft occurs when someone steals your identity to commit fraud. When someone steals your identity to commit fraud it can mean using personal information without your permission, such as your:

• Name;
• Social Security or Medicare number; or
• Credit card number.

Identity thieves may rent apartments, get credit cards, receive government benefits or tax refunds, or open other accounts in your name. You may not find out about the theft until you review your credit report or a credit card statement and notice accounts you didn’t open or charges you didn’t make, or until you’re contacted by a debt collector.

How can I spot identity theft?

Keep an eye out for identity theft by reading your statements from credit card companies or banks and credit unions and checking your credit reports for suspicious activity. Look closely for charges or withdrawals you did not make. Even a small charge or withdrawal can be a danger sign. Thieves sometimes will take a small amount from your checking account and then return to take much more if the small debit goes unnoticed.

Also review your free credit reports from each of the three major credit bureaus. If an identity thief is opening financial accounts in your name, these accounts may show up on your credit report. Look for inquiries from companies you’ve never contacted, accounts you didn’t open, and wrong amounts on your accounts. CLICK HERE for information about how to obtain free copies of your credit reports.

How can I avoid becoming a victim?

• Protect your Social Security number. Don’t carry your Social Security card in your wallet. If your health plan (other than Medicare) or another card uses your Social Security number, ask the company for a different number.


• Don't take the bait. Scam artists "phish" for victims by pretending to be banks, stores or government agencies. They do this over the phone, in e-mails and in the regular mail. Do not respond to any request to verify your account number or password. Legitimate companies do not request this kind of information in this way. Never give out your personal information unless you made the contact.


• Use strong passwords. Use different passwords for all your accounts. Make those passwords strong with at least eight characters, including a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols ($+r0^gh@h@). Hide them safely, and keep them handy.


• Be carful of what your share.What you share on social networks (such as your home or email address; children’s names; birth date and so on) is what tech-savvy thieves use for scams, phishing, and account theft. Don’t over share.


• Shield your computer and smartphone. Protect your personal information on your computers and smartphones. Use firewall, virus and spyware protection software that you update regularly.


• Click with caution. When shopping online, check out a Web site before entering your credit card number or other personal information. Read the privacy policy and look for opportunities to opt out of information sharing (If there is no privacy policy posted, shop elsewhere). Only enter personal information on secure Web pages with "https" in the address bar and a padlock symbol at the bottom of the browser window.


• Check your statements. Open your credit card bills and bank statements right away. Check carefully for any unauthorized charges or withdrawals and report them immediately. Call if bills don’t arrive on time. It may mean that someone has changed contact information to hide fraudulent charges.


• Check your credit reports – for free. One of the best ways to protect against identity theft is to monitor your credit history. You can get one free credit report every year from each of the three national credit bureaus. CLICK HERE to learn how.

What do I do if I’ve been a victim of identity theft?

If you are currently dealing with identity theft, there are important steps you can take right away—including closing your accounts and reporting the identity theft to the police. Visit IdentityTheft.gov (Trusted Partner Link) to learn more.