Identity theft: what scammers can do with your details and how to fix it
Quick answer
Identity theft is when someone uses your personal or financial information without permission, for example to open credit cards, take out phone accounts or claim your tax refund. Freeze your credit, check your reports and bills, and report it at IdentityTheft.gov to get a recovery plan.
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How it works
The FTC defines identity theft as someone using your personal or financial information without your permission. They might take your name and address, card or bank numbers, Social Security number or medical insurance numbers.
With those they can:
- buy things with your credit cards
- get new credit cards in your name
- open a phone, electricity or gas account in your name
- steal your tax refund
- get a job or medical care
- pretend to be you if they're arrested
The FTC says scammers often get the information by phishing: emails, texts or calls that trick you into handing over passwords, account numbers or your Social Security number. They can also sell that information to other scammers.
How to tell it's happened: a bill stops arriving (the thief may have changed your billing address), charges or bills you don't recognize, withdrawals you didn't make, or accounts you don't recognize on your credit report.
Red flags
- Bills that stop arriving, or new bills you didn't expect
- Charges on a card or withdrawals from a bank account you didn't make
- Accounts in your name on your credit report that you don't recognize
- Anyone calling, emailing or texting to ask for your Social Security number
- A message asking you to confirm account details by clicking a link
Example message
We noticed unusual activity on your account. Confirm your name, date of birth and Social Security number at [link] to avoid suspension.
What to do
- 1
Check your bills, statements and credit reports
Look for charges, withdrawals or accounts you don't recognize. The FTC points to the free credit reports available to you.
- 2
Place a credit freeze
Contact each of the three bureaus: Experian, TransUnion and Equifax. A freeze stops anyone opening new credit in your name, and it's free to place and lift.
- 3
Add a fraud alert if you suspect fraud
A free one-year initial fraud alert tells businesses to check with you before opening an account. Contact one bureau and it must tell the other two.
- 4
Report it at IdentityTheft.gov
The FTC gives you a free personal recovery plan, pre-filled letters for credit bureaus, businesses and debt collectors, and advice for more than 30 types of identity theft.
- 5
Lock down your accounts
Use strong, unique passwords and turn on two-factor authentication. Don't give personal information to anyone who contacts you first.
Report it
Check if your details are exposed with Serus
Scammers find your number and address on data brokers and people-search sites. Serus removes them.
Why you got it
Identity thieves need your details, and many come from data breaches and from people-search sites that list your name, address, phone number and relatives. Serus finds where your information is listed and removes it where possible, and alerts you when your data shows up in a breach, so there's less for someone to work with. See what to do after a data breach.
Frequently asked
What is identity theft?
Someone using your personal or financial information, such as your name, card numbers or Social Security number, without your permission.
How do I know if someone stole my identity?
Look for bills that stop coming, charges or withdrawals you didn't make, and accounts on your credit report you don't recognize.
Does a credit freeze cost anything?
No. The FTC says freezes are free to place and lift. Contact Experian, TransUnion and Equifax.
Will credit monitoring catch everything?
No. The FTC says credit monitoring won't alert you if someone withdraws money from your bank account or uses your Social Security number to file a tax return.
Sources
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