Identity theft happens when someone uses your personal or financial information without your permission. This information can include:
- Name and address
- Credit card or Social Security numbers
- Bank account numbers
- Medical insurance account numbers
You may not know that you experienced ID theft immediately. Beware of these warning signs:
- Bills for items you did not buy
- Debt collection calls for accounts you did not open
- Information on your credit report for accounts you did not open
- Denials of loan applications
- Mail stops coming or is missing from your mailbox
How to protect yourself from identity theft
No one is immune to identity theft, but there are some things you can do to lower your risk of becoming a victim, including:
- Do not answer phone calls, texts, social media messages, or email from numbers or people you do not know.
- Do not share personal information like your bank account number, Social Security number, or date of birth.
- Collect your mail every day, and place a hold on your when you will be on vacation or away from your home.
- Review credit card and bank account statements. Watch for and report unauthorized or suspicious transactions.
- Don’t use public Wifi to log into your bank account or credit card account.
- Store personal information, including your Social Security card, in a safe place. Do not carry it in your wallet.
- Open up a Chambers Club checking account, which includes Total Identity Monitoring at no extra charge (separate enrollment required).
Concerned about your privacy? Let us help you reduce your risk of identity theft.
Source: usa.gov/identity-theft