An Ever-Present Threat: Identity Theft and Fraud
Identity theft and fraud can happen to anyone. We use our data all the time: credit cards at the grocery store, social security numbers to enroll children in school, passwords to login to a website or account. Sometimes, that data can be found and used by someone with ill intentions. In our ever-increasingly digitally connected word, it’s important for advocates and clients to know what to do to protect personal data, what steps to take if identity is stolen, and different scams/fraud attempts to keep a look out for.
This month, we created a complication of recent resources and trainings centered around identity theft and fraud, including how to identify potential threats and what to do if your identity is stolen. As always, please don’t hesitate to contact us if you’re looking for more!
Being Aware Before It Happens
Online Privacy and Security
Federal Trade Commission
Use this webpage to access a variety of information about online security like using public wifi, malware, and protecting personal information; online privacy like voice assistants, website collection of information, and stalkerware; and online scams like phishing, tech support scams, and romance scams.
Warning Signs of Identity Theft
Federal Trade Commission
This resource is a brief list of warning signs that your information may have been stolen, including sings like receiving unfamiliar charges or bills, healthcare claims being denied due to conditions you don’t have, and more.
Identity Theft, Fraud and Scams
July 2024
United States Senate Federal Credit Union
This webinar overviews identity theft, fraud, and common scams. It offers warning signs that something may be false and trying to get access to your personal information. It also talks about steps to take and what to do if you experience any of these.
What To Do After
Know Your Rights
Federal Trade Commission
This webpage includes information about your rights when reporting and recovery from identity theft and fraud such as having the fraudulent information removed from your credit, stopping a debt collector from contacting you, and more. It also includes information about your rights working with credit bureaus, communicating with creditors and debt collectors, limits on financial losses, and other federal rights.
When information is lost or exposed
Federal Trade Commission
“If someone has already used your information to open a new account or make a purchase: Report it at IdentityTheft.gov and find out what to do next to recover. If an identity thief hasn’t misused your information yet: You don’t need to file an FTC Identity Theft report. Keep reading to find out what you can do to help protect yourself from identity theft.” This article includes information and useful links for key steps on protecting yourself from identity theft if your information is at risk, including specific steps based on type of information.
Child Identity Theft
June 2024
South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs
Detecting and undoing the damage from the theft of a child’s identity can be a challenge. A thief who steals a child’s information may use it for years before the crime is discovered. In this webinar, the South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs discusses the warning signs of child identity theft and ways to protect your child’s information. They talk about how to check a child’s credit report and what to do if something fraudulent is found.
Recovery Steps
Federal Trade Commission
This webpage has a check-able list to help those who may have experienced identity theft or fraud know what to do immediately, walks them through next steps, includes information for specific types of account issues (e.g. utility accounts, student loans, government benefits, etc.), and information for specific identity theft types (e.g. tax, child, and medical).
Credit Bureau Contacts
Federal Trade Commission
“Contact the three nationwide credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — to request free fraud alerts, credit freezes, active duty military credit monitoring, and opt outs from prescreened credit offers.”