Identity Theft: What It Is, How to Prevent It, Warning Signs and Tips

What is Identity Theft?

Identity theft occurs when someone obtains and uses your personal information without your permission. This can take various forms, including:

1. Financial Identity Theft: The thief uses your personal information to make unauthorized purchases, open credit accounts, or take out loans in your name.
2. Criminal Identity Theft: The thief provides your information when they are arrested, leading to a criminal record in your name.
3. Medical Identity Theft: The thief uses your personal information to obtain medical services, prescription drugs, or file fraudulent insurance claims.
4. Tax Identity Theft: The thief uses your information to file fraudulent tax returns and claim refunds.
5. Child Identity Theft: The thief uses a child’s personal information, often going unnoticed for years.

How to Prevent Identity Theft:

1. Secure Personal Information: Keep important documents like Social Security cards, passports, and financial statements in a secure place, preferably locked.
2. Use Strong Passwords: Create strong and unique passwords for online accounts, and consider using a password manager.
3. Be Cautious with Personal Information: Be careful about sharing personal information, especially online or over the phone.
4. Monitor Your Financial Statements: Regularly review bank and credit card statements for unauthorized transactions.
5. Shred Sensitive Documents: Shred any documents containing personal information before disposing of them.
6. Use Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Enable 2FA for your online accounts whenever possible.
7. Secure Your Mail: Collect your mail promptly, and consider a locked mailbox if possible.
8. Be Wary of Phishing Scams: Be cautious of unsolicited emails or messages asking for personal information.

Warning Signs of Identity Theft:

1. Unfamiliar accounts or charges on your financial statements.
2. Receiving bills or collection notices for debts you don’t owe.
3. Being denied credit or loans unexpectedly.
4. Unexpectedly low credit scores.
5. Notices from the IRS about multiple tax returns filed in your name.

What to Do If You’re a Victim:

1. Contact Authorities: Report the identity theft to your local police department and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at IdentityTheft.gov.
2. Notify Financial Institutions: Contact your banks, credit card companies, and other financial institutions to report the theft and freeze or close affected accounts.
3. Check Credit Reports: Request and review your credit reports from the major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) to identify unauthorized accounts or inquiries.
4. Set Up Fraud Alerts: Place fraud alerts on your credit reports to make it harder for thieves to open new accounts in your name.
5. Monitor Your Accounts: Continuously monitor your financial statements for suspicious activity.
6. Correct Errors: Dispute any fraudulent information on your credit reports.
7. Consider an Identity Theft Protection Service: Some companies offer services to monitor your credit and assist in case of identity theft.
8. Change Passwords: Change the passwords for your online accounts and enable 2FA where possible.
9. File an Identity Theft Report: If the identity theft is severe, consider filing an identity theft report with the FTC and creating an Identity Theft Report for use with creditors and businesses.

Identity theft can have severe and long-lasting consequences, so it’s crucial to take steps to prevent it and respond promptly if you suspect you’ve become a victim. Regular monitoring of your financial accounts and credit reports can help you detect any suspicious activity early on.

Reporting identity theft is crucial to mitigate the damage and help law enforcement agencies investigate and potentially apprehend the culprits. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to report identity theft:

1. Contact Local Law Enforcement:

• The first step is to report the identity theft to your local police department. Visit your nearest police station or call their non-emergency line. Be prepared to provide all the details and any evidence you have related to the identity theft. They will create a police report, which is essential for resolving the issue.

2. File a Report with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC):

• Visit the FTC’s official website at IdentityTheft.gov or call them at 1-877-ID-THEFT (1-877-438-4338). This website provides a step-by-step guide to help you report and recover from identity theft. The FTC will provide you with an Identity Theft Affidavit that you can use to dispute fraudulent accounts and transactions.

3. Contact the Three Major Credit Bureaus:

• Notify the three major credit reporting agencies—Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion—about the identity theft. Request that they place a fraud alert on your credit reports, which will make it more challenging for the thief to open new accounts in your name. Here are their contact details:
  • Equifax: Visit Equifax’s website or call 1-800-525-6285.
  • Experian: Visit Experian’s website or call 1-888-397-3742.
  • TransUnion: Visit TransUnion’s website or call 1-800-680-7289.

4. Report to Financial Institutions:

• Contact your banks, credit card companies, and any other financial institutions where you have accounts affected by the identity theft. Inform them of the situation, report unauthorized transactions, and request to freeze or close affected accounts. They will guide you through their specific procedures for resolving fraud.

5. Check Your Credit Reports:

• Obtain copies of your credit reports from all three major credit bureaus and review them for unauthorized accounts or inquiries. Dispute any fraudulent information directly with the credit reporting agencies.

6. Monitor Your Accounts:

• Continue to monitor your financial statements, credit reports, and any other relevant accounts closely for any further suspicious activity. Report any new signs of fraud promptly.

7. Keep Detailed Records:

• Maintain a record of all communications and documentation related to the identity theft, including police reports, correspondence with financial institutions, and copies of your credit reports.

8. Consider Additional Steps:

• Depending on the severity of the identity theft, you may want to consider additional measures such as setting up a credit freeze, changing your passwords, and using identity theft protection services.

9. Report to Other Relevant Authorities:

• If your identity theft case involves specific types of fraud, such as tax identity theft, contact the appropriate agencies. For tax-related issues, report the incident to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

10. Be Patient and Persistent:

• Resolving identity theft can be a lengthy process, so be patient and persistent. Continue to follow up with law enforcement, creditors, and credit bureaus until the issue is fully resolved.

Remember that reporting identity theft promptly is crucial to limit the damage and protect your financial well-being. Act quickly to minimize the impact on your credit and personal finances.

When you report identity theft, several important actions and processes are set in motion to address the issue and help you recover from the crime. Here’s what typically happens when you report identity theft:

1. Initial Report:
   • You’ll start by reporting the identity theft to your local law enforcement agency, usually at your nearest police station or by filing a report online or over the phone. They will document the incident and create an official police report.
2. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Report:
   • You’ll also file a report with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). This can be done through the FTC’s website at IdentityTheft.gov or by calling their toll-free number at 1-877-ID-THEFT (1-877-438-4338). The FTC provides resources and guidance to help you through the recovery process.
3. Identity Theft Affidavit:
   • The FTC will provide you with an Identity Theft Affidavit. This document is crucial for disputing fraudulent accounts and transactions with creditors, financial institutions, and credit reporting agencies.
4. Fraud Alerts:
   • You’ll request that the three major credit reporting agencies—Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion—place fraud alerts on your credit reports. These alerts notify creditors and lenders to take extra precautions before opening new accounts in your name.
5. Contacting Financial Institutions:
   • You’ll reach out to your banks, credit card companies, and other financial institutions where you have accounts affected by the identity theft. You’ll report the unauthorized transactions, and they will guide you through their specific procedures for resolving the fraud, which may include freezing or closing accounts.
6. Disputing Fraudulent Information:
   • You’ll review your credit reports from the three major credit bureaus to identify any unauthorized accounts, inquiries, or other suspicious information. You’ll dispute these items with the credit reporting agencies by providing them with the Identity Theft Affidavit and supporting documentation.
7. Monitoring and Follow-Up:
   • You’ll continue to monitor your financial statements, credit reports, and any other relevant accounts for any new signs of fraudulent activity. You’ll report any additional suspicious activity promptly to law enforcement, creditors, and credit bureaus.
8. Resolution and Recovery:
   • Over time, with the help of law enforcement and the steps you take, the identity theft issues will be resolved. Unauthorized accounts and transactions will be investigated, and fraudulent information will be removed from your credit reports.
9. Preventative Measures:
   • Throughout the process, you should take steps to prevent future identity theft, such as changing passwords, using two-factor authentication, and being cautious with your personal information.
10. Legal Action:
    • In some cases, law enforcement may conduct investigations to identify and apprehend the identity thief. If they are successful, criminal charges may be filed against the perpetrator.

It’s important to note that resolving identity theft can be a complex and time-consuming process. You may need to be patient and persistent as you work through the various steps and continue to monitor your financial accounts and credit reports. Additionally, keeping thorough records of all communications and documentation related to the identity theft is crucial throughout the recovery process.

What is the best identity theft protection service?

1. LifeLock: LifeLock offers a range of identity theft protection services, including credit monitoring, dark web monitoring, and identity restoration assistance. They also provide a Million Dollar Protection™ Package, which includes reimbursement for stolen funds and expenses related to identity theft.
2. IdentityForce: IdentityForce offers comprehensive identity theft protection, including credit monitoring, social media identity monitoring, and advanced fraud monitoring. They also provide a 100% identity recovery guarantee.
3. Identity Guard: Identity Guard offers credit monitoring, social security number monitoring, and dark web monitoring. They also provide identity theft insurance coverage and a dedicated case manager to help with identity restoration.
4. Experian IdentityWorks: Experian’s IdentityWorks service provides credit monitoring, dark web surveillance, and identity theft resolution support. They offer both individual and family plans.
5. MyIDCare: MyIDCare focuses on identity theft recovery and resolution services. They offer identity theft insurance and a team of experts to help restore your identity if it’s compromised.
6. ProtectMyID: ProtectMyID, offered by Experian, provides credit monitoring, identity theft insurance, and fraud resolution support. They offer plans for both individuals and families.

When choosing an identity theft protection service, consider the following factors:

• Coverage and Services: Review the services offered by each provider and ensure they meet your specific needs. Common features include credit monitoring, dark web monitoring, identity restoration support, and insurance coverage.
• Cost: Compare the pricing of different plans and choose one that fits your budget. Some providers offer individual and family plans, which can be more cost-effective for households.
• Customer Reviews: Read reviews and ratings from other users to gauge the reputation and customer satisfaction of the service.
• Ease of Use: Evaluate the user interface and ease of navigation of the service’s website or app.
• Identity Theft Insurance: Check the coverage and limits of identity theft insurance offered by the service. This can provide financial protection in case of identity theft-related expenses.
• Customer Support: Consider the quality and availability of customer support, especially if you need assistance with identity restoration.
• Compatibility: Ensure the service is compatible with your devices and operating systems.
• Free Trial: Many identity theft protection services offer free trials. Take advantage of these trials to test the service before committing to a subscription.

Remember that no identity theft protection service can guarantee 100% protection against all forms of identity theft. However, they can provide valuable tools and resources to help you monitor your identity and respond promptly if suspicious activity is detected. It’s essential to choose a service that aligns with your security needs and provides peace of mind.