Identity theft can
happen to anyone.
Identity thieves
look for ways – both high-tech, like lifting our passwords, or low-tech, like
stealing our mail – to get their hands on our money and personal information,
according to the Federal Trade Commission.
look for ways – both high-tech, like lifting our passwords, or low-tech, like
stealing our mail – to get their hands on our money and personal information,
according to the Federal Trade Commission.
To keep your money
and information safe, follow the advice below:
1. PERSONAL
INFORMATION
Keep documents with
personal information, like financial records or Social Security and Medicare
cards, in a safe place. Shred them before you throw them away. If you get
statements with personal information in the mail, take your mail out of the
mailbox as soon as you can.
2. SOCIAL SECURITY
Don’t share your
Social Security number with someone who contacts you. While some organizations
might need your Social Security number to identify you, they won’t call, email,
or text you to ask for it. So if someone contacts you, asks you for your Social
Security number, and says they’re from the IRS, your bank, or your employer —
it’s a scam.
3. STRONG PASSWORDS
Protect your
information online and on your phone. If you’re logging in to an online
account, use a strong password. Add multi-factor authentication for accounts
that offer it. Multi-factor authentication makes it harder for scammers to log
in to your accounts if they do get your username and password. Here are more
steps to help safeguard your online accounts.
information online and on your phone. If you’re logging in to an online
account, use a strong password. Add multi-factor authentication for accounts
that offer it. Multi-factor authentication makes it harder for scammers to log
in to your accounts if they do get your username and password. Here are more
steps to help safeguard your online accounts.
