Identity theft is a fast growing crime in the United States. ID thieves have many creative ways to steal key information such as your Social Security number, driver’s license number and date of birth. Thieves steal your data and will open new accounts, file fake tax returns, rent and buy property in your name and use your insurance information to receive medical care.
Identity Theft Complaints
“According to the Federal Trade Commission’s “Consumer Sentinel Network Data Book,” the most common categories for complaints last year (2021) were identity theft, imposter scams (a subset of fraud), online shopping and negative reviews. Government documents or benefits fraud was most prevalent in identity theft cases — more than 406,000 people reported that someone submitted a fraudulent government document under their name. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues in 2021, the FTC continues to send out warnings of scams targeting Americans working and studying from home. According to the FTC, fraudsters are still at work creating scams perpetuating virus-related fear. Texts and robocalls concerning vaccines, COVID-19 cures and antibody tests are prevalent.
According to the U.S. government, the IRS and Equifax, common COVID-19-related scams in 2021 include:
- Economic impact payment theft
- Scammers impersonating government officials
- Delivery scams
- Fake COVID testing, vaccine and treatment scams
- Unemployment benefits fraud
- Fake charities made to look like real charities that deal with the COVID-19 pandemic” https://www.consumeraffairs.com/finance/identity-theft-statistics.html
Protecting yourself is valuable to your financial credibility and also provides peace of mind. Although no one person can entirely control whether they will become a victim, there are certain actions you can take to minimize your risk.
Identity theft protection will not stop fraud from occurring, but will help keep an eye out for fraud. There are several services where ID theft protection comes into play.
Credit Monitoring
Credit monitoring services can notify you if changes happen to your credit information.
- Credit score drops
- New account appears on your report
- Someone opening an account in your name
- Unauthorized loan or credit card applications using your personal information
- Changes to credit limits
Identity Monitoring
Identify monitoring services can alert you if your personal data is sold on the internet.
- A change of address request
- Crimes falsely reported in your name
- Attempts to take over existing credit cards or bank accounts
Identity Recovery
Identity recovery services offer help after an identity theft happens. If someone has used your personal information to commit fraud, recovery services can assist in getting it back. Some of these services are:
- Assist in repairing your credit report
- Share identity theft reports with the credit bureaus
- Work with creditors to dispute accounts and charges
TRI-PAC IdentiTheft Offered at Wendle Ford
There are many identity theft programs available to assist in your protection. TRI-PAC IdentiTheft sets itself apart by handling the recovery and restoration of your identity for you…GUARANTEED.
Here’s some of what TRI-PAC IdentiTheft can do for you.
- Identity theft recovery
- 100% recovery
- Personal Recovery Agent will be assigned to your case
- Your Recovery Advocate will fill out all the forms and contact parties involved
- Post recovery follow-up for one year
- Credit monitoring
- Provides alerts for changes in your credit report
- Cyber/internet monitoring
- Searches the internet for questionable use of your identity
Would you like some help in securing your identity? Feel free to contact us online or call Kevin Parker with our finance department at (509) 598-2670 and start protecting yourself today.
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