Research Guides: Be Money Smart: Identity Theft

How to Protect Yourself

Source: keepmyid.org

Below are some tips to protect yourself from identity theft:

Order your free credit reports every year:

Write:
Annual Credit Report Request Service
P.O. Box 105281
Atlanta, GA 30348-5281

Call toll free: 1-877-322-8228
Go online to: www.annualcreditreport.com
(NOT www.freecreditreport.com)

Shred personal papers, receipts and junk mail

Opt-out of prescreened credit card offers:

Call toll free: 1-888-567-8688
Go online: Opt Out Prescreen

Read credit card and bank statements immediately

Keep a record of all credit card and bank account numbers separate from your wallet.

Guard your social security number, other personal information and credit card numbers

Don't provide personal information to any caller or respond to an e-mail message unless you have initiated the transaction.
Don't reveal personal information on public phones or cell phones.
For online purchases, be sure the lock or key icon on your browser's screen is whole.

Federal Trade Commission’s Identity Theft Hotline: 1-877-IDTHEFT (438.4338)

Identity Theft Prevention Worksheet

Helpful Resources

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
Created by Congress, the CFPB provides consumers with information and resources to educate them about financial service providers and they enforce consumer financial protection laws.
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI): Identity Theft Information
From the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), this site provides general information, ways on protecting yourself, and how to report identity theft. Provides links and contact information to our nearest FBI office.
Identity Theft (Federal Trade Commission)
This site from the Federal Trade Commission offers advice on what to do right away, what to do next, as well as information on types of identity theft and safeguards to prevent identity theft.
Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC)
Their mission is to provide victim assistance, educate consumers, and "serve as a national resource on consumer issues related to cybersecurity, data breaches, social media, fraud, scams and other issues."
Internal Revenue Service: Identity Protection Information
From the Internal Revenue Service, this site provides information regarding identity theft and covers a variety of scenarios and additional resources that may be helpful.
National Criminal Justice Center
A government website that can be searched for information about identity fraud, online crimes, and how to prevent them.
Privacy Rights Clearinghouse: Identity Theft Resources
The Privacy Rights Clearinghouse (PRC) is a nonprofit consumer organization with a two-part mission: consumer information and consumer advocacy. This site provides fact sheets, videos, quizzes, speeches, and articles on identity theft & data breeches.
Office of the Attorney General Identity Theft Victim’s Kit [PDF]
This Identity Theft Victim’s Kit can help you with the process of recovering from the identity crime committed against you.
U.S. Department of Education: Identity Theft
Identity theft information and resources for situations unique to college students.
U.S. Department of Justice: Defintions & Information on Identity Theft
A website that provides general information and contact information for the fraud section.
USA.gov
You are entitled to a free credit report from each of the three credit reporting agencies (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) once every 12 months. You can request all three reports at once, or space them out throughout the year. Learn about other situations in which you can request a free credit report.

Books & E-Books from the Library

Identity Theft in the 21st Century by Sarah Machajewski
Call Number: E-Book
ISBN: 9781534560833
Publication Date: 2017-07-15
Cyber Smart by Bart R. McDonough
Call Number: E-Book
ISBN: 9781119559610
Publication Date: 2019-01-07
Why Hackers Win by Patrick Burkart; Tom McCourt
Call Number: E-Book
ISBN: 9780520300125
Publication Date: 2019-11-26