National Consumer Protection Week runs March 3rd through March 9th and according to a 2023 report from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the State of Illinois has the 9th highest number of identity theft reports in the country.
The study logged 39,314 reports of identity theft in Illinois last year, and 40% of those cases involved someone getting a credit card in another person’s name. Identities were also stolen to access bank accounts, obtain loans or receive government benefits.
“The week is a good reminder to carefully safeguard your personal information, and to have a plan of action should your identity be stolen,” says Comptroller Mendoza.
Here are some tips for preventing identity theft:
Inspect your banking statements regularly for unknown charges.
Verify that the statements in your health insurance plan match the care that you have received.
Avoid answering calls that you do not recognize. If it’s important, they will leave a message.
Avoid sharing personal information on social media such as your date of birth, email address and family member’s names. Doing so can make you more susceptible to scams.
Shred all documents containing personal and financial information before throwing away or recycling.
The three credit bureaus:
It’s important to monitor your credit history at least once a year through either Equifax, Experian or TransUnion. Each credit bureau offers one free credit report each year.
The three credit bureaus can set up a credit freeze, which restricts access to your credit report. That means you, or anyone else, won’t be able to open a new line of credit unless the freeze is lifted. You can request a credit freeze even if you haven’t been a victim of identity theft.
If you suspect fraud, you can also request a fraud alert be placed on your credit report. This will make it harder for someone to open a new account in your name. Both options are free. Contact information below:
Equifax: www.Equifax.com, 800-525-6285
Experian: www.Experian.com, 888-397-3742
TransUnion: www.TransUnion.com, 800-680-7289
Warning signs your identity has been stolen:
You receive bills for items that you didn’t buy.
You get calls from debt collectors for accounts you didn’t open.
You’re unexpectedly denied on a loan application.
You stop getting your usual mail or it seems like mail is missing.
What to do if your identity is stolen:
Call the Illinois Attorney General’s Identity Theft Hotline at: 866-999-5630.
Contact the three credit reporting bureaus and have a freeze or fraud alert initiated.
Contact your bank and credit card companies.
You may need to file a police report.
More information at: www.IdentityTheft.gov
“By taking these extra precautions, staying vigilant, and carefully reviewing your bills and accounts on a regular basis, you can save yourself the hassle and expense of fighting to get your money and your identity back,” says Comptroller Mendoza.
The Illinois Office of Comptroller offers Smart Consumer workshops covering identity theft, fraud and more to interested communities and organizations.
###
