Identity Theft

Identity theft happens when someone steals your personal information, like your Social Security number, banking details, or login credentials, and uses it to commit fraud in your name.

This can include:
– Opening credit cards or loans
– Accessing your bank accounts
– Filing fake tax returns
– Making purchases or draining your funds

Once your identity is stolen, the damage can take months (or years) to repair: prevention is your best protection.

Look for these red flags:

Phishing Scams	Fake emails or texts trick you into sharing login info
Data Breaches	Your info is exposed when a company’s system is hacked
Mail Theft	Thieves steal bank statements, pre-approved offers, or checks
Skimming	Devices at ATMs or gas pumps capture your card info
Public Wi-Fi	Hackers steal data on unsecured networks
Social Engineering	Scammers trick or manipulate you into revealing private details

 

Protect Yourself from Identity Theft

– Use strong, unique passwords
– Never share personal info over email, phone, or text
– Shred sensitive mail before discarding it
– Monitor your accounts and sign up for alerts
– Limit what you carry, don’t keep your Social Security card in your wallet
– Review your credit report regularly at AnnualCreditReport.com
– Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA)
– Set up credit freezes or fraud alerts with the credit bureaus
– Use secure connections (HTTPS) and avoid public Wi-Fi for financial activity