As we spend more of our lives online – working, going to school, shopping, and more – we face an increasing risk of identity fraud. If you’re on social media, your risk is even higher. And with everything happening in the world, cybercriminals have started targeting people who want to know what’s happening with the pandemic. While the type of scam will vary, identity theft remain a threat unless we do something to stop it.
One of the first things you can do to stop identity theft is recognize the ways in which a cybercriminal might try to steal your identity – and the warning signs that suggest you might be a victim of identity theft.
How do cybercriminals steal your identity?
There are lots of ways for criminals to get your personal identifying information – the information that makes up your identity, such as your Social Security number, credit card numbers, and passwords to bank accounts — including overhearing you on the phone, buying your information on the dark web, or stealing your information by tricking you into going to a bogus website or clicking on an email link. However they get it, the results can be devastating if you’re not aware of what’s going on.
They can use your personal information to:
What should you look for?
One of your best defenses against identity theft is to catch it quickly if it happens. That means you’ll need to know what to look for. Below is a list of warning signs that indicate that you may be a victim of identity theft:
Source: https://www.iii.org/fact-statistic/facts-statistics-identity-theft-and-cybercrime
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