The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is a US government agency committed to consumer protection. Filing an identity theft report with the FTC alerts them that fraud has taken place with your personal information. Your FTC report will come in handy later when you report fraud to the police and c...
The most commonly reported scam was impostor fraud, in which a thief poses as your bank, financial institution, a government agency, or other reputable organization to steal your money or identifiable information. Nearly $2.7 billion was reported stolen in 2023 from impostor scams alone.1 Be ...
Social Security numbers and banking information, by sending an official-looking email. Spoofing involves doing much the same thing with caller ID, so that the number appears to be that of a trusted company or government agency.
Almost every worldwide government agency responsible for identity theft issues will tell you the same thing: The first step to fighting identity theft is to minimize the risk. What is Identity Theft? Identity theft is a crime whereby criminals impersonate individuals, usually for financial gain. In...
In these scams, criminals reach out via emails, texts, or phone calls — claiming to be from a government agency or company you trust. For example, you might receive a text from your bank claiming your account has been hacked and that you need to “verify” your identity. ...
be hit with financial identity theft involving unauthorized accounts, tax identity theft, medical identity theft, and even criminal identity theft. Children aren't immune either; cybercriminals have been known to steal a minor’s Social Security number to apply for various kinds of government ...
If you receive one of these forms from an employer or government agency that you didn’t work for, it’s a sign that your identity has been stolen. What to look for: When you receive an IRS notice, check that: The employer’s name, address, and ZIP code are correct. The employee’...
Sometimes those phishing for your personal data will call and present themselves as a representative from a company you normally do business with or as a member of a government agency (like the FBI or FDIC). They’ll ask for your personal information or immediate payment on a bill you might...
Identity theft -- when someone uses such personal data to do anything from fraudulently opening a new bank account to fooling the police -- is a crime on the rise in prominence, and in recent years, prevalence. The Bureau of Justice Statistics, the government agency crunching numbers for the...
The FTC is a government agency with a fraud department set up especially for identity theft reports. You can report your case on their website, by phone or via e-mail. They will give you a confirmation number and often connect you with a local police contact designated for your situation....