Have you or a person you know been affected by identity theft? It is more common than you might think! Identity theft is when someone takes your name and personal information (like your social security number) and uses it without your permission.
There are many ways thieves can steal your identity. Methods like phishing emails or text messages, dumpster diving, wireless hacking through unsecured Wi-Fi, malware downloaded on malicious websites, and even stealing your mail are all ways thieves can steal your identity. So...what can you do to prevent this?
To protect your identity, it’s important to know that you should use caution when sharing your personal and/or financial information over the phone, mail, or email. Make sure the website, app, email, business, etc. is legitimate before you share any information. The more details you share, the easier it becomes for thieves to steal your identity.
Additional precautions include:
- Regularly reviewing account statements and credit reports,
- Securing your mail in a locked mailbox,
- Using strong passphrases with uppercase, lowercase, numerals and – when allowed – characters -, and
- Protecting your phone by enabling security features.
To learn more about how to protect your identity, what to do if you are a victim, and additional resources, visit our Identity Theft website.
For resources and webinars during Identity Theft Awareness Week, visit the Consumer Trade Commission website.