Am I Being Scammed?

Identity theft occurs when someone fraudulently obtains and uses another person’s personal information, such as their Social Security number, credit card number, or other identifying information. The goal is usually to commit fraud or other crimes under the victim’s identity. Identity theft cost US citizens and businesses about $56 billion annually. AARP research in 2023 indicated $43 billion was stolen from US citizens.

How to Detect  Identity Theft and unathorized withdrawals:

1. Credit Monitoring: Services that monitor your credit report for any changes or inquiries. Examples include Credit  Karma and Experian Credit Services. 
2. Fraud Alerts: Place a fraud alert on your credit file with the major credit bureaus.
3. Credit Freeze: Freezing your credit report prevents creditors from accessing your credit, making it harder for thieves to open accounts in your name. You can release the freeze at anytime. 
4. Annual Credit Report Review: Review credit reports from all three bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) yearly using the free resource provided by  AnnualCreditReport.com.
5. Review your medical claims charged against your healthcare insurance to verify that there are no reported procedures  with doctors and hospitals that you have never been to. 

It is important to monitor for fraud and report fraud as soon as you suspect it, to protect you rrights and reduce liability. 

The following is a list of common strategies to protect your personal information from hacking and fraudulent disclosure:

1. Strong, Unique Passwords:
   Use different passwords for each account and consider a password manager. It is important to realize that a password that is used on one account my later be known and attempted on another account, so do not use the same passwords or password template on different accounts. 
2. Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Enables an additional layer of security by requiring a second form of verification.
3. Limit Social Media Sharing:
   Avoid sharing personal information like birthdates, addresses, or other sensitive data online.
4. Shred Documents:
   Shred any documents containing personal information before disposal.
5. Secure Wi-Fi Connections:
   Use a secure network, particularly when conducting financial transactions.
6. Review Financial Statements: Regularly check credit card, bank, and other financial statements for unusual activity.

Phishing is a common method used by cybercriminals to trick individuals into sharing sensitive information such as passwords, credit card numbers, or Social Security numbers. Phishing usually happens via email, but it can also occur through text messages (smishing), phone calls (vishing), and fake websites.

1. Email Phishing: The most common form where attackers send fraudulent emails that look legitimate, often impersonating trusted organizations like banks, delivery services, or government agencies. These emails contain links to fake websites or attachments with malware.
2. Spear Phishing: A targeted form of phishing aimed at specific individuals, often containing personal information to make the message seem more convincing.
3. Smishing: Phishing through text messages. Smishing attempts may include links to fake websites or request that the user replies with personal information.
4. Vishing: Phishing through phone calls. Attackers might impersonate support representatives, bank officials, or government agents to convince the victim to reveal information or make payments.
5. Clone Phishing: Cybercriminals copy a legitimate email and replace any links or attachments with malicious versions, then send it to the victim, often appearing to come from a known contact.