Incidents of identity theft have skyrocketed by nearly 600% in the last two decades.1 Just in 2022, there were more than one million reports of identity theft in the U.S.2 So how can individuals protect themselves?
In this guide, learn about identity theft, how to report it, ways to help stay protected, and common scams to look out for.
Identity theft refers to a type of crime where an individual's personal information is stolen and fraudulently used by someone else for financial gain or other malicious purposes. It normally includes one or more of the following occurrences:
There are a variety of ways identity theft can happen. Lost personal items, nefarious digital schemes and scams, and even eavesdropping can all pose a risk. While tactics and risks may vary, here are some common examples to be aware of:
It’s important to note that the above examples are not all-encompassing. Criminals may use other tactics, like telemarketer and imposter scams or hacking personal accounts, to steal personal information and carry out identity theft.
Once a thief has stolen someone’s personal information, there are various activities they may attempt to engage in. Here are some examples:
Looking for potential strategies for identity theft protection? There are proactive steps individuals can take to help protect themselves from potential fraud:
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There are several steps someone can take when reporting identity theft. Some general actions to take to report fraud are:
In addition to the above ways to report identity theft, here are some more possible strategies to keep in mind when someone’s identity has been stolen:
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