Understanding and Preventing Identity Theft: A Comprehensive Guide

Identity theft is a serious issue that affects millions of people every year. In 2023 alone, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) received over 1 million reports of identity theft. This crime involves someone stealing your personal information and using it without your permission, often to access your financial accounts, open new bank and credit card accounts, file tax returns, and more. While it’s impossible to completely protect yourself from identity theft, being informed about how it happens and how to prevent it can significantly reduce your risk.

What Is Identity Theft?

Identity theft occurs when someone steals your personal or financial information and uses it without your permission. This can include your name and address, driver’s license, passport, Social Security number, credit card or bank account numbers, and health insurance account numbers. Due to the nature of technology and the internet, your personal information is always at risk. If you’re not carefully monitoring your credit file, you may not notice you’ve been victimized until the damage is already done.

Types of Identity Theft

There are several types of identity theft, but three of the most common are financial, medical, and child identity theft. Each type involves different methods and can have various impacts on your life.

Financial Identity Theft

Financial identity theft involves unauthorized access to existing financial accounts or the creation of new accounts in your name. For example, a thief may steal your wallet or purse and use your credit card to make purchases, obtain your bank account details and drain your accounts, or get ahold of your Social Security number and open a new credit card in your name or file a fraudulent tax return.

Medical Identity Theft

With medical identity theft, a criminal may see a health care provider, buy prescription drugs or medical devices, and submit insurance claims to Medicare or your health insurance company without your permission. Typically, this occurs if a criminal gets their hands on your personal information, such as your name, Social Security number, and health insurance ID.

Child Identity Theft

Identity thieves engage in child identity theft when they use the personal information of a minor to obtain credit, find employment, or engage in other illegal activities in the child’s name. Child identity theft can be particularly pernicious because children typically have no need to check their credit reports, allowing the theft to go undetected for several years.

How Does Identity Theft Happen?

There are several different ways identity thieves can get ahold of your personal and financial information. Here are some of the most commonly used methods:

• Data breaches: A data breach happens when someone gains access to an organization’s consumer data without authorization. The most common types of information stolen in data breaches include full names, Social Security numbers, and credit card numbers.
• Unsecure browsing: Sharing information on an unsecure website or a website that’s been compromised by hackers can put your sensitive information directly in the hands of a thief.
• Dark web marketplaces: The dark web is a hidden network of websites that aren’t accessible by normal browsers. Hackers may steal your information and sell it on the dark web rather than using it for themselves.
• Malware: Malware is malicious software designed to wreak havoc. Fraudsters may use malware to steal your data or spy on your computer activity without you knowing.
• Credit card theft: If a thief can gain access to your credit card information, they can use it to make unauthorized purchases. Common ways credit card theft occurs are through data breaches, physical theft, credit card skimmers, and online retail accounts where card information is stored.
• Mail theft: Identity thieves have been combing through the mail to find documents that hold personal information long before the internet existed. Bank and credit card statements and any other document you send or receive through the postal system can be intercepted and used to gain access to your data.
• Phishing and spam attacks: Some scammers use email, text messages, and other forms of electronic communication to steal your sensitive information. The phishing message often looks like it’s coming from a reputable source and asks victims to open a malware-infected attachment or to visit a spoof website and give up one or more types of information.
• Wi-Fi hacking: If you use your computer or phone on a public network—airport, department store, or coffee shop Wi-Fi, for example—hackers may be able to eavesdrop on your connection. If you type in a password, bank account or credit card number, Social Security number, or anything else, an eavesdropper can easily intercept it and use it for their own purposes.
• Mobile phone theft: Smartphones are a treasure trove of information for identity thieves, especially if your apps allow you to log in without a passcode or biometric authorization. If someone manages to steal and unlock your phone, it could allow them to view the information found in your apps, as well as in your emails, text messages, notes, and more.

How Do I Know if My Identity Has Been Stolen?

Depending on the type of identity theft, there may or may not be immediate or blatant signs that you’ve been victimized. Here are some common indicators of potential identity theft:

• Credit card charges or bank account withdrawals you don’t recognize
• An unfamiliar credit account on your credit reports
• Bills for an account you didn’t open
• Collection calls for a debt you don’t owe
• Recent credit inquiries when you haven’t recently applied for credit
• A sudden drop in your credit score
• Unfamiliar medical bills or explanation of benefits letters
• Expected mail goes missing
• Duplicate return alert when filing your tax return

How Identity Theft Can Affect You

Identity theft can have severe ramifications on your credit and financial situation. Here are just a few examples:

What to Do if Your Identity Is Stolen

If you suspect that you’ve fallen victim to identity theft, it’s crucial to act quickly to limit the potential damage. Here are some general guidelines for what to do if your identity is stolen:

• Contact your bank or credit card issuer: Whether or not you have confirmation that your account information has been compromised, contact your credit card issuers and bank immediately. You may be able to lock your accounts to prevent the identity thief from accessing them; also be sure to report unauthorized purchases, if applicable.
• Review your credit reports: Double-check your credit reports with the three credit bureaus (Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax) to confirm any type of unusual activity and get help dealing with the theft. You have the right to dispute fraudulent accounts directly with the credit bureaus.
• File an identity theft report: Reach out to the FTC to file a report. The agency will provide steps you need to take and paperwork to file reports—including how to deal with police reports—and help you dispute fraudulent charges.
• File a police report: Remember, identity theft is a crime, so it’s also a good idea to contact your local law enforcement agency and report it. While local authorities may not be able to do much, they can take reports and be on the alert for suspicious behavior that could involve your name or address.
• Freeze your credit or set up a fraud alert: If you find something is amiss on your credit reports, you have the right to freeze your credit report or set up a fraud alert, which notifies lenders that you’ve been a victim of identity theft so they can take extra measures to verify your identity when they get an application for credit in your name.
• Protect your child’s identity: If you suspect your child is a victim of identity theft, you can check if your child has a credit report. Then you can consider adding a fraud alert or security freeze to protect them.

Being a victim of identity theft is a harrowing experience. It can take months and many hours of filling out forms and working with agencies and businesses to recover your identity once it is stolen. As such, it’s important to be alert and to respond promptly when you believe identity theft has occurred.

How to Protect Yourself from Identity Theft

While there’s no surefire way to prevent all forms of identity theft completely, there are some steps you can take to make it harder for criminals to access your information and use it for nefarious purposes. Here are some tips on how to protect yourself from identity theft:

Safeguard Your Devices

Use a non-generic passcode and biometric authorization, such as fingerprint or facial recognition software, to secure your mobile devices and computers. Also, be sure to routinely check for and install regular software updates to your devices. Updates include software patches designed to close up weak points in security, so putting off updates can leave you vulnerable.

Use a Password Manager

These days it’s not uncommon for people to have online accounts with hundreds of different websites. A password manager not only makes it so you don’t have to remember individual passwords but also ensures that your login credentials for each account are strong and unique.

Protect Personal Documents

If possible, opt for electronic statements instead of paper statements on all of your accounts so you don’t risk leaving sensitive information in your mailbox. Also, be sure to check your mail daily instead of leaving it exposed for days, and shred any documents that contain personal details once you no longer need them.

Watch Out for Phishing Scams

If you receive an email or text message saying you owe money, telling you to open an attachment, or asking for personal information, be skeptical. Check the sender’s email address and the URL, and do not click any links in the message. If you think the message may be legitimate, contact the company separately using contact information on a bill or the company’s website.

Don’t Share Information Over the Phone

If someone calls you and asks for personal or financial information, it could be a sure sign of fraud. Before providing any details, ask the caller for a callback number, then search for it online to see if it matches the customer service number of the company supposedly calling you. Keep in mind, the IRS and other government authorities will not call you and ask for your personal information over the phone.

Check Your Credit Reports Regularly

With Experian’s free credit monitoring service, you can get real-time alerts when changes are made to your Experian credit report. You’ll also get free access to check your FICO® Score and Experian credit report anytime, making it easier to watch out for unfamiliar activity.

Be Vigilant When Online

When using public Wi-Fi networks, consider using a virtual private network (VPN) to keep your internet connection private and secure. Also, if you’re visiting a website, check the URL to see if it’s secure—the URL should start with HTTPS. Even if it’s secure, though, research websites you don’t recognize to find out if they’re legitimate.

Consider Identity Theft Protection Services

If you want an extra level of protection against identity theft, consider signing up for an identity theft protection service. These services can add an extra level of protection and help you spot possible signs of identity theft early. Experian’s identity theft protection service offers identity theft monitoring, dark web surveillance, assistance with fraud, and ID theft insurance, among other features.

Diligence Pays Off

Recognizing the signs of identity theft and taking steps to prevent it can save you heartache, stress, and loss. As you monitor your credit regularly, watch out for suspicious transactions, accounts, and notifications, and act fast when something is off. If you’re diligent, you’ll be in a better position to catch identity theft early before it ruins more than just your day.

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