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Education

Is someone using your personal or financial information to make purchases, get benefits, file taxes, or commit fraud? That’s identity theft.

What To Do Right Away

Step 1: Call the companies where you know fraud occurred.

  • Call the fraud department. Explain that someone stole your identity. Ask them to close or freeze the accounts. Then, no one can add new charges unless you agree.
  • Change logins, passwords, and PINs for your accounts.

Step 2: Place a fraud alert and get your credit reports.

  • To place a free fraud alert, contact one of the three credit bureaus. That company must tell the other two.
  • Experian.com/help 888-EXPERIAN (888-397-3742)
  • TransUnion.com/credit-help 888-909-8872
  • Equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services 1-800-685-1111
  • Get updates at gov/creditbureaucontacts.
  • Get your free credit reports from Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Go to com or call 1-877-322-8228.
  • Review your reports. Make note of any account or transaction you don’t recognize. This will help you report the theft to the FTC and the police.

Step 3: Report identity theft to the FTC.

  • Go to IdentityTheft.gov, and include as many details as possible.  Based on the information you enter, IdentityTheft.gov will create your Identity Theft Report and recovery plan.

Tips to Avoid Frauds and Scams

Consumers should always exercise caution when it comes to your personal and financial information. The following tips may help prevent you from becoming a fraud victim.

  • Be aware of incoming email or text messages that ask you to click on a link because the link may install malware that allows thieves to spy on your computer and gain access to your information.
  • Be suspicious of any email or phone requests to update or verify your personal information because a legitimate organization would not solicit updates in an unsecured manner for information it already has.
  • Confirm a message is legitimate by contacting the sender (it is best to look up the sender’s contact information yourself instead of using contact information in the message).
  • Assume any offer that seems too good to be true, is probably a fraud.
  • Be on guard against fraudulent checks, cashier’s checks, money orders, or electronic fund transfers sent to you with requests for you to wire back part of the money.
  • Be wary of unsolicited offers that require you to act fast.
  • Check your security settings on social network sites. Make sure they block out people who you don’t want seeing your page.
  • Research any “apps” before downloading and don’t assume an “app” is legitimate just because it resembles the name of your bank or other company you are familiar with.
  • Be wary of any offers that pressure you to send funds quickly by wire transfer or involve another party who insists on secrecy.

Beware of disaster-related financial scams.  Con artists take advantage of people after catastrophic events by claiming to be from legitimate charitable organizations when, in fact, they are attempting to steal money or valuable personal information.

The American Bankers Association (ABA) recommends the following online safety tips.

  • Keep your computers and mobile devices up to date.
  • Establish strong passwords and PINs.
  • Watch out for phishing scams and bogus website links.
  • Keep personal information private.
  • Secure your internet connection.
  • Shop safely and read privacy policies.