Identity Theft
Protect your identity and personal information
Identity Theft happens when someone uses your information to get money or buy things. They may rob your bank account, take out a credit card in your name, buy things online in your name, or take your government benefits. In 2010,
- 19% of identity theft came from government documents and benefits fraud
- 15% came from credit card fraud
- 10% came from bank fraud
- 4% came from loan fraud.
Who can it happen to?
Anyone. In 2010, there were more than 725,087 fraud-related complaints, with over $1.7 billion in losses. More than 27,000 people reported losses over $5,000.
What Can You Do About It?
- Maintain your $1 Million Identity Theft Insurance with IdentitySmart and get these benefits:
- Reimburse you the cost of re-filing loans for grants and making corrections to your records
- Lost wages earned for time taken off work to amend a stolen record and identity
- Legal defense fees
- Restoration services to notify credit bureaus of your fraud, help review your files to look for fraud, and notify your creditors, and credit card companies of the fraud
- Unauthorized electronic fund transfer for funds transferred without your consent
- Be careful where you use your Social Security number and other personal information.
- If you are an IdentitySmart member, and your identity is compromised, contact our Identity Theft Hotline at 1-866-IDHelp-2 (1-866-434-3572) within 90 days.
Privacy Protection Tips:
- Guard your identity carefully by monitoring your credit information, public records, and bank statements for irregular activity.
- Don't use the same password for your email, bank, Facebook, and other personal accounts. When you login to check or manage your account, don't click "stay signed in" unless it's on your personal computer and you don't intend to sell it or let others use it. And make sure you create a strong password that blends letters, numbers, and capital letters.
- Be careful with your Social Security number, and only provide it if absolutely necessary. Don't carry your Social Security card, military ID, Medicare, or other cards that have your Social Security number on them unless you need them.
