Identity Theft & Scams

Safe Amidst the Frenzy: Guarding your Identity

Watch this webinar to get the facts about how to keep your identity protected.

Identity theft can have devastating impacts on your financial and personal well-being. It is especially important for persons with disabilities and their families to be diligent about protecting their personal information. Get the facts to protect yourself.

In partnership with Experian, the Financial Resilience Center at National Disability Institute held the webinar, Safe Amidst the Frenzy: Guarding Your Identity.

Watch the webinar recording to learn more about:

  • Common ways identity theft occurs and scams to avoid
  • How to protect your personal information and stay safe online
  • Steps to take if your identity is unfortunately stolen

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How can I protect myself from identify theft?

Identity theft can happen to anyone, but there are some things you can do to help reduce the risk of your identity being stolen and to protect yourself from fraud and scams.

Be proactive!

  • Monitor checking and credit accounts monthly and your credit report quarterly.
  • Do not share your Social Security card or number.
  • Protect your trash by shredding all documents with personal information.
  • Protect your mail—incoming and outgoing.
  • Be careful on the internet with information you provide.
  • Protect ALL your passwords.
  • Limit what you carry in your wallet/purse.
  • Consider a credit freeze with the three credit reporting agencies.
  • Protect your smartphone and use a strong password with numbers, letters and symbols.
  • Safely dispose of all old electronics.
  • Beware of scams and frauds.
What are some common scams that I should be on the lookout for to protect myself and my family?

With more Americans at home and online than ever before, people are increasingly using technology to work, shop and connect socially. However, this new digital reality also provides fraudsters with fresh opportunities to target you. Scams are on the rise, as sophisticated criminals try to capitalize on our changed circumstances. Fortunately, there are ways to protect your financial and personal information and one of the first steps is to be aware of potential scams.

How can I protect my passwords?

It seems like everything requires a password these days, and it is very important to keep your passwords protected to avoid identity theft or fraudulent activities on your accounts. There are some ways to help protect and manage your passwords.

  • Use two-factor authentication whenever possible and available. This adds a second level of verification to an account log-in by requiring a pin, text or email code or even a biometric feature such as a thumbprint or face ID.
  • Use different passwords for different accounts. If you are reusing a password on multiple accounts and a hacker cracks one of them, they may try the recovered passwords on your other accounts, too.
  • Do not include personal identifiers like your phone number, name, child or pet’s name, or birth date.
  • Do not use repetitive characters or patterns (“0000,” “1234,” “1010,” etc.)
  • Set up remote tracking features, when available, for your phone, computer or tablet.
  • Consider using a unique passphrase that is easy to remember or picture in your mind, but difficult to guess.
  • Make sure that your phone, computer, tablet or other device with personal information is always protected by a pin or password.
  • Try using a password manager to maintain different and complex passwords for all your accounts.
How can I protect myself when I use social media?

Those who use social media are among the most likely to experience fraud. Individuals who have an active social media presence had a 30 percent higher risk of being a fraud victim than those who weren’t active.

However, there are ways you can help protect yourself when using social media.

  • Don’t post or provide sensitive personal information such as Social Security numbers, your address and credit card details.
  • Be careful what you post. Mentioning personal information such as anniversary dates, birthdays and hometowns can also leave you vulnerable to identity theft as information such as this may be used in setting up new accounts or password reset questions. Providing your location publicly and telling everyone you are out of town could leave your home vulnerable to break-ins.
  • Know your privacy settings. Private vs. public profiles and posts, make sure followers/friends require your approval, restrict posts from searches, etc.
  • Be cautious of tests and other links that ask personal information that could lead to hacks.
What are warning signs that my identity may have been stolen?

The impact of identity theft can be dramatic and long-term. It can cause denial of credit, loans and even public benefits, not to mention stress, anxiety, time and expense, that could be spent on recovery.  So, it is important to be diligent and aware of warning signs that may alert you that your identity could have been stolen so you may take the necessary steps to quickly protect your identity and limit theft once your information has been compromised.

A few warning signs may include:

  • You find unfamiliar accounts or changes on your credit report
  • Withdrawals from your bank account that you cannot explain
  • You don’t get your bills or other mail
  • You don’t receive a recurring deposit which is due
  • Medical providers bill you for services you did not use
  • The IRS notifies you that more than one tax return was filed in your name or that you have income from an employer you don’t work for
  • You receive a notice of unemployment insurance that you did not claim
  • You get notice that your information was compromised by a data breach at a company where you do business or have an account
Are there tips to help me and my family avoid scams related to the pandemic?

Unfortunately, there are people out there trying to take advantage of individuals during these times of financial uncertainty. Scams cover a wide spectrum including covid testing, vaccines and treatments, stimulus payments, medicare enrollment, IRS refunds and more. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Identity Theft Resource Center have put together numerous tips and resources available to help you as a consumer or a business to identify and avoid scams.

Are there tips to help me and my family avoid identity theft and scams during these uncertain financial times?

Unfortunately, there are people out there trying to take advantage of individuals during these times of financial uncertainty. Scams cover a wide spectrum including covid testing, vaccines and treatments, stimulus payments, medicare enrollment, IRS refunds and more. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Identity Theft Resource Center have put together numerous tips and resources available to help you as a consumer or a business to identify and avoid scams.

What are some steps I should take if I lose my wallet?
What should I do if I get a call claiming there's a problem with my Social Security number or account?
What do I do if I think my personal information and/or identity has been compromised or stolen?
How can I report a scam or fraud?

If the scam or fraud is related to the COVID-19 pandemic:

Contact the National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline to report any fraud related to COVID-19 (Coronavirus). You can contact the NCDF Hotline by phone or submit through the NCDF Web Complaint Form.

The NCDF is a national coordinating agency within the Department of Justice’s Criminal Division dedicated to improving the detection, prevention, investigation and prosecution of criminal conduct related to natural and manmade disasters and other emergencies, such as the coronavirus (COVID-19). Hotline staff will obtain information regarding your complaint, which will then be reviewed by law enforcement officials.

NCDF Hotline number: 1-866-720-5721

What if I have been targeted by a scam involving my mail?
What can I do to avoid becoming a victim of Medicare fraud and how do I report it if I think fraud has occurred?

Review your Medicare Summary Notices for errors and report anything suspicious to Medicare. If you think a charge is incorrect, and you know the provider, you may want to call their office to ask about it. The person you speak to may help you better understand the services or supplies you got, or they may realize a billing error was made. If you contact the provider and suspect that Medicare is being charged for health care you didn’t get, or you don’t know the provider on the claim, find out how to report fraud.

What do I do if I think someone filed for unemployment insurance (UI) payments in my name and committed fraud?

View More Resources

Employment + Unemployment

COVID-19 Stimulus

Public Benefits

Managing Money

Housing, Food + Healthcare

National Disability Institute
LifeCents

The Financial Resilience Center was developed by National Disability Institute with generous funding from the Wells Fargo Foundation.

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