This week is identity theft awareness week. Did you know that identity theft is the top consumer complaint reported to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) over the past years? The number of cases continue to grow.
Clues That Someone Has Stolen Your Information from Identitytheft.gov:
- You see withdrawals from your bank account that you can’t explain.
- You don’t get your bills or other mail.
- Merchants refuse your checks.
- Debt collectors call you about debts that aren’t yours.
- You find unfamiliar accounts or charges on your credit report.
- Medical providers bill you for services you didn’t use.
- Your health plan rejects your legitimate medical claim because the records show you’ve reached your benefits limit.
- A health plan won’t cover you because your medical records show a condition you don’t have.
- The IRS notifies you that more than one tax return was filed in your name, or that you have income from an employer you don’t work for.
- You get notice that your information was compromised by a data breach at a company where you do business or have an account.
If your social security number, wallet or other personal information is stolen or lost, there are steps you can take to help protect yourself from identity theft.
To report identity theft and get a recovery plan, please visit www.indentitytheft.gov.
Source: www.identitytheft.gov
