	Join or Login Community Newsletter Signup
	search go

Life Events & Financial Decisions

Resource Library

Who We Are

economic survival tips

Community


	Life Events & Financial Decisions Major Life Events Moving in With a Partner Cash Flow Management Taxes Insurance Property Ownership Retirement Planning With Your Partner Marriage Wedding Planning Joint Goal Setting Establishing Financial Accounts Filing Income Taxes Coordinating Employee Benefit Plans Reviewing Retirement Plans Having Children Pregnancy New Parents Guide Foster and Adopted Children Disabled Children Other Financial Issues Buying a Home Saving for a Home First Home Purchase Home Repurchases Home Maintenance Divorce Dividing Assets and Debts Cash Flow Management Retirement Benefits Insurance Tax Considerations Estate Planning Remarriage Communication Is Key Money Management Children and Stepchildren Child Support Issues Ex-Spouse Issues Planning for Retirement Calculate Retirement Savings Catch-Up Strategies Create a "Retirement Paycheck" Get Your Retirement Plan Back on Track Death and Dying Planning for Death Planning for a Funeral Death of a Relative Starting Off Right All About Credit Savings Start Saving Today Tax Deferred Savings Protect Your Assets with Insurance Income Tax Planning Health and Family Support Health Insurance Health Insurance Tips Addictions and Finances Disability Insurance Aging Parents Proactive Plans Costs of Caregiving Moving in with their Children Living in an Assisted Living Facility Helping a Parent Financially Death and Dying Planning for Death Death of a Relative Planning for a Funeral Wills and Estates Importance of Estate Planning Planning for Estate Taxes Wills Gifts and Inheritances Powers of Attorney Education and Careers Jobs and Benefits Career Transitions Relocation Unemployment Managing Job Benefits Retirement Savings When Planning a Job Change pt1 Retirement Savings When Planning a Job Change pt2 College Planning Saving for College Calculate College Savings Savings Plans Financial Aid Catch-Up Strategies Military Service Active Duty Deployment Financial Planning Planning a Major Purchase Buying a Home Saving for a Home First Home Purchase Home Repurchases Home Maintenance New Car Buying Used Car Buying Car Leasing Big Ticket Items Crisis and Emergencies Theft Natural Disasters Emergency Preparedness Identity Theft Terrorism Tackling Medical Expenses

Financial Tip

Give your children or grandchildren financial gifts, such as money for college.

Here are 200 great ways to make fast cash for your pocket book

He is a great list of original websites which you can gain access to site builders

home › Life Events & Financial Decisions › Crisis and Emergencies › Identity Theft


	Participate in discussions, find answers and connect with others. Join SAM Community

Related Resources

	Identity Theft Coach
	Avoid Getting Hooked By Phishers
	Identity Theft Booklet

Prevent and remedy identity theft

Send to a friend

There are many kinds of identity theft, and all involve using your personal data without your knowledge. The good news is you can reduce the risk of it happening to you.

Be Aware

The two most common forms of identity theft are:

Stealing your personal data such as name, date of birth, and social security number to purchase items, withdraw cash, or open new accounts in your name.
Using your “cloned” identity to get a job, evade law enforcement, or live as you.

Protect Your Belongings

Shred credit card bills, legal documents, and personal mail containing sensitive data.
Leave your social security card and passport in a bank safety deposit box or other safe location outside your home.
Review your quarterly social security report. If it says you earned more than you did, you might be a victim.

Guard Your Personal Information

Never give out personal or financial information on the phone unless you initiated the call and know the company.
Use a different PIN or password for each personal account, and change it frequently.
Look out for phishing, when an e-mail looks like it came from a real bank or store but is actually meant to rip you off.
Always type in a URL yourself. Some e-mail scams ask you to click a link to verify your information.
Install firewalls and anti-spyware on your computer to prevent viruses or downloads designed to steal your personal information. Visit here for software.
When making online purchases, use sites with the prefix “https,” which mean they’re secure.

Signs Your Identity Might Have Been Stolen

You notice your regular bills stop coming. An identity thief might have changed the address on your accounts.
You spot unusual activity on your credit cards.
You receive a credit card or other type of credit notice you didn’t apply for.
You receive phone calls from debt collectors on credit accounts you didn’t open.
Read more signs from the Federal Trade Commission.

Act Quickly

Most identity thieves who steal credit cards and other financial data act within the first 48 hours. If you notice any of the above, or if your wallet or purse is lost or stolen, do the following:

Immediately contact all creditors to alert them to the theft, and place your accounts on fraud alert using one of these credit reporting agencies.
File a police report.
Change all passwords on your online accounts.

If your social security number has been compromised, send an e-mail to or visit the fraud reporting bureau of the Social Security Administration.

previous (4 of 6) next