Identity Theft - Are You at Risk?
May 19, 2023
Anyone can become a victim of identity theft or fraud. Hopefully you never become a victim, but thinking it can’t happen to you only increases your risk. In 2022 alone, the Federal Trade Commission reported that 2.4 million people had filed fraud reports, including 1.1 million reports of identity theft. Almost 26% of all these cases were from adults age 30-39, with the most common method being credit card theft via social media tactics.
The amount of money people lost to fraud in 2022 also increased a huge amount, making fraud something you literally cannot afford to ignore. Thankfully, there are steps you can take to keep your private information safe and reduce the likelihood you’ll become a victim.
Quick Tips for Guarding Your Information and Money:
- DO create strong passwords.
- DO keep passwords private.
- DO set up account alerts.
- DO switch to eStatements.
- DO shred sensitive paper documents.
- DO regularly check your card activity.
- DON’T click on suspicious links.
- DON’T include account information in emails.
- DON’T overshare on social networking sites.
- DON’T use public Wi-Fi for sensitive transactions, such as online shopping.
- DON’T give out personal information to unknown callers or on calls you did not initiate yourself.
- DON’T pay or accept payment with gift cards or with checks with more than the agreed-upon price.
Remember: Honda FCU will never ask for your account information via email, text or any other electronic method, and will never call you unprompted for your account information.
Signs to Watch Out For
If you do become a victim, the damage can be minimized if you catch it early and act quickly. Some clues to remain vigilant for include:
- Withdrawals from your bank account you don’t recognize.
- Bills or other mail aren’t being delivered.
- Merchants refuse your checks.
- Debt collectors call about debts that aren’t yours.
- Unfamiliar accounts or charges on your credit report.
- Bills from medical providers for services you didn’t use.
- Health records show you reached your benefit limit when you haven’t.
- Rejected from a health plan for a medical condition that you don’t have.
- IRS notification that more than one tax return was filed in your name or you have income from an employer you don’t work for.
- Notification from a company where you do business or have an account saying there was a data breach.
What to Do If Your Information Is Compromised
To stop additional fraud if your identity has been compromised, take these steps right away:
- Call the companies where fraud occurred – ex. your bank, credit card company, insurance company, etc.
- Place a fraud alert on your credit by contacting one of the three credit bureaus. That company will alert the other two.
- Report identity theft to the Federal Trade Commission by visiting www.IdentityTheft.gov.
- You may choose to file a report with your local police department.
If you are think your information has been compromised or have any questions about how to keep your accounts safe please call us at 800-634-6632.
For more tips on how to protect yourself, check out some of our other blogs!
Related Blogs:
https://www.hondafcu.org/about-hfcu/news/stay-financially-vigilant-during-the-holidays
https://www.hondafcu.org/about-hfcu/news/scams,-frauds-and-what-you-can-do-about-them
https://www.hondafcu.org/about-hfcu/news/beware-of-payment-app-scams
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