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An active-duty alert is a notice that eligible service members have the right to add to their credit reports. These alerts instruct lenders to verify the applicant’s identity before processing loans or credit applications made in the service member’s name. How Does an Active-Duty Alert Work? An active-duty alert is a special kind of fraud […]
What Is an Active-Duty Alert? Read More »
Identity theft and related fraud take many forms, and in 2023, these crimes racked up losses of more than $10 billion in the U.S., according to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Familiarity with these scams can help you recognize them before you or a loved one become a victim—or minimize the damage if your personal
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Employment identity theft happens when someone uses your Social Security number or other personal identifying information for employment purposes. Identity thieves may use your identity to get a job they aren’t qualified for or collect wages using your Social Security number. Employment identity theft can cause you problems with the IRS or wreak havoc with
What Is Employment Identity Theft? Read More »
If you’ve been victimized by identity theft, you may want to fill out an identity theft affidavit. An identity theft affidavit is a form that provides information about yourself and the identity theft to creditors, credit reporting agencies and the IRS. What Is an Identity Theft Affidavit? A victim of identity theft can complete an
What Is an Identity Theft Affidavit? Read More »
Fraudsters deceive people to steal money and valuable information—and some of them are quite successful. In the U.S., consumers lost over $10 billion to fraudsters and scammers in 2023 alone, a 14% increase from the losses in 2022, according to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). With a focus on financial fraud, let’s dive into the
Medical identity theft happens when someone uses your personal information to get medical care. They might buy medical devices, order prescription drugs or even have their provider bill your insurance company for a medical procedure. Getting everything corrected can be time-consuming and stressful. Additionally, medical identity theft could be dangerous when it results in errors
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Identity theft is when someone steals your personal information and uses it without your permission. Fraudsters may use your information to access your financial accounts, open bank and credit card accounts, file tax returns and more. In 2023 alone, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) received more than 1 million reports of identity theft. There’s no
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Your stolen driver’s license number can be the key that helps unlock all sorts of fraud, such as opening financial accounts in your name or creating fake IDs. Whether it’s stolen in a data breach or out of your wallet, it can wreak havoc on your finances. Here’s what to do if someone steals your
What Should I Do if My Driver’s License Number Is Stolen? Read More »
Americans lost more than $10 billion to fraud last year, according to data from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). That’s a 14% increase from 2022. And certain types of fraud are growing at an even faster pace: Losses to investment scams grew nearly 21% year over year, with consumers’ reported losses totaling over $4.6 billion
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Media reports and social media posts increasingly warn of a scheme you may not be familiar with—the “say yes” scam. So what is the “say yes” scam? A caller poses a simple question in hopes of prompting you to respond with the word “yes.” If you answer, it can lead to more calls from scammers
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Artificial intelligence (AI) has certainly caused a shakeup in recent years, and people are finding all sorts of ways to use AI to improve their lives. Unfortunately, scammers and fraudsters also are using AI to enhance their schemes. Experian’s Future of Fraud forecast for 2024 warns that AI could make it easier for people to
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Banking apps are meant to simplify your financial life, but there are vulnerabilities to keep in mind. Some scammers develop fake banking apps designed to grab your personal or financial information and then commit fraud. Before you use a banking app like Venmo, Zelle or Cash App, be sure to verify that the app is
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Credit card shimming is a technique used by identity thieves to steal credit card data. It’s done by placing a small device on a payment terminal that scans your card’s microchip and stores card information. Data from the device can then be downloaded and used to commit fraud. While shimming is a common threat, especially
What Is Credit Card Shimming? Read More »
The importance of cybersecurity is increasing as cyberattacks become more prevalent and the damage they cause increases. Whether you manage finances online, have social media profiles or want to keep your personal information private, implementing a few cybersecurity best practices can help. What Is Cybersecurity? Cybersecurity refers to the wide range of processes and tools
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There’s no shortage of ways for identity thieves to steal your personal information so they can gain access to your existing accounts and open new accounts in your name. While there’s no foolproof way to avoid becoming a victim of identity theft, staying alert and taking proactive steps to protect your information can make it
How Does Identity Theft Happen? Read More »
Perhaps the biggest purchase you’ll ever make is a house, representing an investment that’s likely worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. Given how much value our homes hold, it’s no wonder some crooks target homebuyers for real estate identity theft in hopes of reaping loads of money. Real estate identity theft can put you in
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If you’re a parent who’s worked hard on improving your credit, you may wonder if your child also has their own credit report. Typically, minors haven’t built credit and don’t have their own credit reports yet. But that’s not always the case. Your child under 18 can potentially have a credit report in certain scenarios,
Does My Child Have a Credit Report? Read More »
Identity theft is widespread. In 2022, the Federal Trade Commission received 1.1 million consumer complaints about identity theft, with credit card fraud making up the biggest category. Yet far more people, an estimated 15.5 million U.S. adults, were victims of identity fraud in 2022, according to Javelin Strategy & Research. In some cases, identity theft
What Is Identity Theft Insurance? Read More »
Hackers might be able to break into computers, but well-trained attackers can trick you into willingly giving them information and money. These types of tricks are commonly called social engineering. When a person or company says they got hacked, there’s usually an element of non-technical trickery involved. Learning how to detect various types of social
What Is Social Engineering and How Can You Protect Yourself? Read More »
Generally speaking, it’s probably a bad idea to borrow money from a stranger on the internet. While it rarely might be possible to safely get financial help or a loan, a stranger’s offer to lend you money could also be the first step of a more complex scam. It might be just as easy—and much
Is It Safe to Borrow Money from Strangers Online? Read More »