Top Complaint to the FTC? ID Theft, Again
When it’s award season in Hollywood, being #1 is what it’s all about. But in other settings, there’s nothing admirable about coming in first. For the fifth consecutive year, identity theft is at the top of the FTC’s list of consumer complaints.
The FTC received more than two million complaints in 2012. Nearly one in five was about identity theft: the misuse of personal information like a Social Security, credit, or bank account number to commit fraud or theft.
The thieves were most likely to go after people’s wages, government benefits, tax refunds, or credit card and bank accounts. Others opened utility accounts, got medical care, took out loans, and rented apartments.
If you suspect that someone has stolen your personal information, act quickly to limit the damage.
If you think someone used your information to get a job or tax refund — or if you get a notice from the IRS indicating a problem — contact the IRS immediately.
Your credit report may show the first sign that someone has misused your information, so check your report a few times a year. You have a right to one copy of your report every 12 months from each of the three nationwide credit reporting companies. Ordering one free report every four months is a good way to monitor your file and spot errors early.
For more tips on spotting and stopping identity theft, visit ftc.gov/idtheft.
Comments
I was wondering if you had any articles about payday loans? I see sites like cashnetusa and http://www.iPayday.mobi and wonder if they are legit.
Yes, in fact, we have articles about Payday Loans and Online Payday Loans. We also have a 1-minute audio tip about payday loans.
I suffered severe ID theft after a move in 1999 that still affects me as I cannot change my SS # and it is still being used in other cities by thieves. The police considers this a civil, not a criminal matter, so nothing gets done to help ID theft victims put their lives back together. Can anyone tell me how safe it is the give your SS # over and over again to MDA-choice? I get 100's of pieces of junk mail per week even after signing up with them to stop junk mail. But it made no difference at all, and I wonder if I made a mistake giving them my SS#. Thanks, Cb
What can I do to keep a cyber stalker away. He has been on me for over a year, I did not know until after 8 or9 months, so he already has all my info. He redirects my phone to sites for his benefit, example: I go to Microsoft.com support to report my email is hacked and instead of getting direct with Microsoft, I get a Microsoft support company who first tricked me but now I am on to it. I cannot reach Microsoft.com itself, only who he will let me reach on my own phone. No one believes me my phone is hacked along with my computer. I have a hard time believing it, but I see I am constantly redirected to an improper place. I feel stalked, hacked, frauded, stolen from and terrorized. Help.
The National Network to End Domestic Violence has information about internet safety and cyberstalkers. They also have a hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE.
1 in 728 chance for a House Fire and we all have Insurance for it. 1 in 3 for ID Theft and we have NO
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