Online identity theft occurs when users fall for tactics like
phishing and confidence scams
; or download malware onto their computers or smartphones that steals their information; use wireless networks that are insecure; take out money from an ATM that has been rigged with a skimming device that collections your …
How does identity theft happen online?
Identity theft occurs
when someone uses your personal identifying information and pretends to be you in order to commit fraud or to gain other financial benefits
. … Once thieves access this information, they may use it to commit identity theft or sell it on the dark web.
What are three ways that your identity could be stolen?
- Data breaches. Data breaches often make headlines, so this is one method you’ve likely heard about before. …
- Phishing. …
- Unsafe Internet connections. …
- Mail theft. …
- Dumpster diving. …
- Lost Social Security card. …
- Weak data protection.
What does a person need to steal your identity?
Identity theft begins when someone takes your personally identifiable information such as your name,
Social Security Number, date of birth
, your mother’s maiden name, and your address to use it, without your knowledge or permission, for their personal financial gain.
What are 5 ways your identity can be stolen?
- Credit Card Theft. …
- Insecure Websites. …
- Phishing. …
- Hacking. …
- Shoulder Surfing. …
- Skimming. …
- Fraudulent Credit Reports. …
- Pretexting.
How do I find out if someone has stolen my identity?
- Track what bills you owe and when they’re due. If you stop getting a bill, that could be a sign that someone changed your billing address.
- Review your bills. …
- Check your bank account statement. …
- Get and review your credit reports.
What are some examples of identity theft?
- Stolen Checks. If you have had checks stolen or bank accounts set up fraudulently, report it to the check verification companies. …
- ATM Cards. …
- Fraudulent Change of Address. …
- Social Security Number Misuse. …
- Passports. …
- Phone Service. …
- Driver License Number Misuse. …
- False Civil and Criminal Judgements.
What is the most common form of identity theft?
Financial identity theft
is the most common type of identity theft.
What is the most common method used to steal your identity?
The most common way an identity thief can acquire information from a person is
from stealing their purse or wallet
and an identity thief may take a person’s personal information from the internet.
What information does a scammer need?
name and address.
credit card or bank account numbers
.
Social Security number
.
medical insurance account numbers
.
What are the latest ways to steal identity?
- Phishing. Scammers often use phishing emails to trick victims into providing personal or financial information. …
- Smishing. …
- Vishing. …
- Fake Websites. …
- Impersonation Scams or Confidence Fraud. …
- Data Breaches. …
- Skimming. …
- Public Wi-Fi and USB Charging Stations.
How can you protect yourself against identity theft?
- 10 Ways To Protect Yourself From Identity Theft. …
- Destroy private records and statements. …
- Secure your mail. …
- Safeguard your Social Security number. …
- Don’t leave a paper trail. …
- Never let your credit card out of your sight. …
- Know who you’re dealing with. …
- Take your name off marketers’ hit lists.
What can someone do with phone number and address?
Using a people search site, someone could glean a whole lot of information on cell phone numbers, such as
any criminal records, past addresses
, social media accounts, arrests, warrants, court cases, relatives’ information, and more.
What do you do if you think your identity has been stolen?
- Contact one of the credit reporting agencies’ fraud alert departments and place a fraud alert on your credit report. …
- Tell the agency you think your identity has been stolen. …
- One call does it all. …
- Call 1-800-525-6285.
- Visit www.equifax.com. …
- Call 1-888-397-3742.
What might Identity thieves do with your identity?
Identity thieves can
steal your personal information directly
or indirectly by: Stealing your wallets and purses containing identification cards, credit cards and bank information. Stealing your mail including credit and bank statements, phone or utility bills, new checks, and tax information.
What are 2 ways that you can reduce the risk of identity theft?
- Freeze your credit. …
- Collect mail daily. …
- Review credit card and bank statements regularly. …
- Shred documents containing personal information before disposing of them. …
- Create different passwords for your accounts. …
- Review credit reports annually. …
- Install antivirus software.
