Identity Theft Awareness Week: Protect Yourself and Your Loved Ones
Identity Theft: A Growing Threat
Identity theft is a serious crime that can have devastating financial and emotional consequences. Thieves can use your personal information to open credit cards, take out loans, or make purchases in your name. They can also use your Social Security number to file fraudulent tax returns or use your medical insurance to pay for their own medical care.
How to Protect Yourself
There are several things you can do to protect yourself from identity theft, including:
- Keep your personal information confidential. Never share your Social Security number, credit card numbers, or other sensitive information with anyone you don't know and trust.
- Be careful about what you post online. Don't share your full name, address, phone number, or other personal information on social media or other public websites.
- Use strong passwords and change them regularly. Your passwords should be at least 12 characters long and include a mix of upper and lower case letters, numbers, and symbols.
- Shred any documents that contain your personal information before you throw them away.
- Monitor your credit reports and bank statements regularly for any unauthorized activity.
What to Do If You're a Victim of Identity Theft
If you believe you've been a victim of identity theft, take the following steps immediately:
- Contact the fraud department of the credit bureaus and ask them to freeze your credit so that no one can open new accounts in your name.
- Contact your bank and credit card companies and let them know that your identity has been stolen.
- File a police report with your local police department.
- Contact the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at IdentityTheft.gov or 1-877-438-4338.
Identity theft is a serious crime, but it is one that you can protect yourself from. By following these tips, you can help reduce your risk of becoming a victim.
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