Prevent Identity Theft
Here is some information I've been collecting about preventing identity theft with links to websites with further information.
ARE YOU A VICTIM OF IDENTITY THEFT?
If you think you are the victim of identity theft go immediately to IdentityTheft.gov to report it and develop a recovery plan.
This is serious - you have a lot to lose!
IdentityTheft.gov is the federal government’s one-stop resource for identity theft victims. The site provides streamlined checklists and sample letters to guide you through the recovery process.
In cases where it is appropriate, file a complaint with the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center.
Please Note If you found this page you must have some security concerns. Take what you find here for what it is worth and carry on with your research - don't stop with what you find here. This page is nothing more than some information I've come across that I want to keep for my own use and is not at all inclusive and may not even be accurate.
Sources of Information on Identity Theft
- Visit ftc.gov/idtheft for prevention tips and resources.
- The FTC Consumer Information website has a ton of information on privacy, identity, online security and much much more.
- Internet Crime Complaint Center page on Internet Crime Schemes describes many schemes involving identity theft and what to watch out for.
Something to watch out for these days is phishing scams. Here's a Comparitech.com article that describes how they work and what to look for: https://www.comparitech.com/blog/information-security/common-phishing-scams-how-to-avoid/
Stop Unsolicited Mail, Phone Calls, and Email
Get Your Free Credit Reports
It's a good idea to check your credit report now and then to make sure there is nothing on it that looks suspicious or shouldn't be there.
The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) requires each of the nationwide credit reporting companies — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — to provide you with a free copy of your credit report, at your request, once every 12 months. Read this FTC article about how this program works and how to order your free credit report from AnnualCreditReport.com, the only authorized source of free credit reports in accordance with the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act (FACT Act). Never provide personal information to any other company or person for requesting free annual credit reports under the FACT Act. AnnualCreditReport.com will not approach consumers via email, telemarketing or direct mail solicitations.
Tags: Government