How to Protect Against Identity Theft and Fraud
Detect and Prevent Misuse of Personal Information by ID Thieves
Here's how to track you accounts and protect your confidential information from misuse by identity thieves.
Here's how to track you accounts and protect your confidential information from misuse by identity thieves.
The last thing we should have to worry about during these difficult times is identity theft and fraud. Unfortunately, regularly reported data breaches such as the one affecting nearly 8,000 business owners who applied for emergency loans and stories about stimulus check and unemployment benefits fraud, show that anybody could be at risk at any time.
Depending on what information is exposed or taken in a data breach, consumers could be victims of many different types of identity theft and fraud. Here are steps you can take to protect yourself, whether your information was compromised in high profile breaches or not.
Protect Existing Accounts
With a credit or debit card number, a thief can access existing bank and credit accounts for in-person transactions.
Safeguard Future Accounts
With just your name and Social Security number (SSN), an ID thief can open new accounts, including cell phone, credit card, loan, and utilities accounts.
Tax Refund and Stimulus Fraud
With a full name, birthdate, and SSN a thief can attempt to file your taxes, claim your tax refund, and claim your COVID-19 stimulus payment.
Unemployment Benefits Fraud
The New York Times reported on thieves claiming unemployment benefits using stolen Social Security numbers. File for your unemployment insurance benefits before thieves do.
Social Security Benefits Fraud
With a full name, birthdate, and SSN, a thief can try to open a “my Social Security” (MySSA) account in your name and change your direct deposit information to his or her own checking account. Coupled with other information that can easily be found online, such as place of birth, a thief can also try to claim your benefits over the phone.
Health Care Services/Medical Benefits Fraud
With a full name, birthdate, SSN (and sometimes an existing health insurance account number), a thief can attempt to receive benefits and services in your name. Sign up for online accounts with your health care and insurance providers to periodically check for any fraudulent services on your statements.
Other Fraudulent Activity
With a full name, birthdate, SSN, and driver’s license number (which can be turned into a fake license card), a thief can attempt numerous types of fraud, such as applying for a job, getting insurance, renting a home, or even committing crimes in your name. There are many other consumer reporting companies, besides the three big credit bureaus, that specialize in collecting particular information, including your check writing, employment, insurance claims, and tenant histories.
Check your free annual consumer reports with companies that specialize in collecting information often misused by criminals.
Phishing
With just a phone number or email address, a thief can use “phishing” scams to attempt to collect more information needed to commit any of the above more severe crimes.
Resolving Identity Theft
Visit Identitytheft.gov, the government’s official website that will walk you through clear checklists of actions you can take to report and recover from different types of fraud.
Click here for more tips to protect yourself from identity theft and fraud.