Identity Theft – What to do if your information is stolen!
Identity theft is a growing issue world-wide, as anyone in the US who has Anthem health insurance was reminded last winter when Anthem’s databases were hacked and millions upon millions of people were affected.
That event is still being sorted out and so far I’ve heard no reports of identity theft as a result of this breach.
So, perhaps the good news is that there’s been little damage AND the event served as a wake-up call about identity theft.
So, what is identity theft, anyway? Well, according to the US Department of Justice:
The short answer is that identity theft is a crime. Identity theft and identity fraud are terms used to refer to all types of crime in which someone wrongfully obtains and uses another person’s personal data in some way that involves fraud or deception, typically for economic gain.
When someone steals your identity, they may open accounts in your name, use your credit cards for purchases, and do things in your name about which you have no knowledge.
It’s a scary thought, and identity theft is also a time-consuming challenge to untangle. Knowing where to even begin can be daunting.
That’s why I was so pleased to learn about a website created by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) that offers a very thorough, step-by-step guide to the process of dealing with identity theft if you are unfortunate enough to experience it.
Identity Theft Guide
IdentityTheft.gov is the very apt name for the site.
The information is prioritized according to action timeframes, which is very helpful when you are trying to deal with something as time-sensitive as identity theft.
The sample letters provided on the site are a huge time-saver, too. You’re sure to include all of the needed information, and there’s no need to reinvent the wheel when templates are available!
The FTC also has a second site for consumers that offers tips about preventing identity theft, along with lots of free resources, and an extensive collection of articles about identity theft.
Both of these sites (IdentityTheft.gov and ftc.gov/idtheft) save you tons of time because they provide comprehensive information in a step-by-step format that is easy to follow. Both sites also include lots of links to any additional websites or information you might need.
These are one-stop repositories for everything you need in the unfortunate even that your identity is stolen.
I certainly hope that never happens to you – but it’s a good idea to bookmark these sites, just in case!
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