Identity Theft. Eight Steps to take if you are a victim.

Identity Theft. Eight Steps to take if you are a victim.

You’ve spent years building, managing, and securing your financial life. But what happens if your identity is stolen? Unfortunately, it happens regularly. In 2018, over 5.5% of consumers had their identity stolen.

Identity theft is a growing concern, affecting millions of Americans each year. There are two main types: conventional identity theft, where criminals impersonate you using your personal information, and synthetic identity theft, where they combine your data with fake details to create a new identity. Methods like dumpster diving, phishing, hacking, and data breaches are commonly used to collect this information.

If you become a victim, take immediate action by contacting your financial institutions to shut down any compromised accounts. Review statements for fraudulent charges, request a copy of your credit report to spot new accounts, and file reports with the Federal Trade Commission and local police to create an official record. This will help in the recovery process and prevent further damage.

To secure your identity, place a fraud alert on your credit report and work with institutions to close fraudulent accounts. Stay vigilant and consider using identity monitoring services to catch any future suspicious activity early. These steps will help protect your financial life and reduce the risk of further identity theft.

Take a look at the 8 things you can do immediately if you’re a victim. http://bit.ly/2Wdlwap

Published On: May 31, 2019|Categories: Resource Center|

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