How to Lock Your Social Security Number
Learn how to lock your Social Security number (SSN). Read more about what a Social Security number lock is and how to deal with a compromised SSN.
Identity theft is more commonplace since the advent of the internet, and it’s in one’s best interests to familiarize themselves with warning signs of potential identity theft, along with taking steps to better protect yourself from fraudsters in the future. Identity theft occurs when someone has access to your personal information and then uses it to open lines of credit or receive insurance, housing, or employment in your name — potentially affecting your credit reports and credit scores. Signs of identity theft include receiving odd bills for items or services you didn’t purchase, including charges on your credit card or bank statement that are not yours. Other signs include calls from debt collectors about accounts you didn’t open, unexplained withdrawals from your bank account, notifications that more than one tax return was filed in your name, or unexpected denial of credit. If any of these occur, there are many steps you should consider taking, including contacting the proper authorities and companies where the fraud has taken place to explain that you were a victim of identity theft. To help combat identity theft, you can consider placing a fraud alert on your credit reports, and consider freezing or locking your credit reports, monitor your accounts, and more.
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What Is Identity Theft Insurance?
Identity theft insurance can help you recover from some costs related to identity theft. But what is identity theft insurance, how much does it cost and why is it worth it?
What Is Unemployment Identity Theft?
Learn about unemployment identity theft, how it occurs and how to help prevent it.
What Is Synthetic Identity Theft?
Synthetic identity theft is one of the many forms of identity theft. Learn what it is and how to better protect yourself.
What is Medical Identity Theft?
Medical identity theft can be a threat to anybody. Protect yourself by learning about examples of medical ID theft, how it occurs and how to prevent it.
Identity Theft Protection for Seniors
Learn about how seniors can help protect themselves from identity theft.
What Is Employment Identity Theft?
Employers and employees alike should know how employment identity theft works—and how to protect against its damaging effects. Learn how to identify when theft happens and what steps you can take to better protect your personal and financial information.
How to Protect Yourself from Social Security Number Identity Theft
Your Social Security number can be an identity theft target. Here’s how you can help protect yourself and your Social Security number.
Rental Fraud: How to Spot and Avoid Rental Scams
Rental fraud in the form of property listing scams is becoming more common and advanced. Learn how to better spot rental scammers and report housing scams.
5 Ways to Better Protect Your Social Media Accounts from Identity Theft
Learn five ways to better protect yourself from identity theft on social media. Read more about social media safety and monitoring for identity theft.
[Video] Freezing Your Child's Credit Report: FAQ
A security freeze is one tool parents and legal guardians can use to restrict access to a minor dependent's credit report. Here are some commonly asked questions -- and answers.
8 Types of Identity Theft You Should Know
What are the most common types of identity theft? Learn more from Equifax about identity theft and what to do if your personal information is stolen.