Identity Theft Awareness Week 2022

Amanda H. Christensen, AFC, UMM Editor, Extension Professor

​Identity thieves have had a heyday with pandemic-related schemes and scams aimed at obtaining your information to apply for credit, unemployment benefits, file taxes, buy things, or get medical services. The good news? There are things you can do to protect yourself that I’m sharing today in honor of #IDTheftWeek. Read on!

5 signs that someone is using your identity
1. Accounts you don’t recognize on your credit report

• How to spot it: Get your free credit report at AnnualCreditReport.com. Review it for accounts you didn’t open or inquiries you don’t recognize. A new credit card, a personal loan, or a car loan will appear as a new account. A new cell phone plan or utility service — like water, gas, or electric — will show up as an inquiry
  

2. Unfamiliar transactions on your credit card or bank statement

• How to spot it: Check your credit card or bank statement when you get it. Look for purchases or withdrawals you didn’t make.
• Bonus advice: Sign up to get text or email alerts from your credit card or bank whenever there’s a new transaction. This could help you spot unauthorized or fraudulent activity on your account.

3. The IRS says it got more than one tax return in your name​

• How to spot it: A notice from the IRS that there’s more than one tax return filed in your name could be a sign of tax identity theft. So could a notice that you have income from an employer you don’t work for. 
  

4. An identity thief could use your health insurance to get medical care.

• How to spot it: Review your medical bills and Explanation of Benefits statements for services you didn’t get. They could be a sign of medical identity theft.

5. An identity thief could use your information to file a claim for unemployment benefits.

• How to spot it: A notice from your state unemployment office or employer about unemployment benefits that you didn’t apply for could be a sign of fraud.

 
If you discover any signs that someone is misusing your personal information, find out what to do at IdentityTheft.gov.