06/17/2022 | Press release | Archived content
The internet is a big place. While it's changed the world for the better - making our daily lives that much easier! - it can also be a playground for cybercriminals who would love to get their hands on our personal information.
When this happens, it can result in identity theft. While it can be scary to deal with, there are things you can do to protect yourself and recover from this type of cybercrime.
In this article, we'll tell you what identity theftis and how to recognize its various forms. We'll also go over what you can do to bounce back after your identity has been taken.
What is identity theft?
Life online presents so many cool opportunities, but it can also make us vulnerable to cybercriminals. But that doesn't mean you need to get offline. A little knowledge can go a long way in keeping you safe. It all starts with understanding what identity theftis.
Identity theftis when someone steals your personal or financial informationto commit fraud or deception, typically for monetary gain. Depending on their goals, they might take a variety of information. Unfortunately, this is something most people will experience - either directly or indirectly - at some point in their lives.
What makes identity theftreally troublesome is that the consequences can go beyond just affecting your credit score. You might experience issues while trying to get jobs, see an increase in your auto insurance rate, get a surprise tax bill, and even find out you have a criminal record! Not to mention it can cost a lot of time and money to fix.
Just as important as it is to understand what identity theftis, it's also important to know the different types of identity theftso you can keep an eye out.
Types of identity theft
You work, play, and shop on the internet every day, but you shouldn't let the fear of identity theftstop you from doing what you enjoy online. All it takes is a little information to outsmart online criminals - including knowing the different types of identity theft. They include:
How does identity thefthappen?
How does an identity thiefget your information? Any time you make a purchase, subscribe to a website, file a tax return, or do anything else online, you share your personal information. And some cybercriminals are pretty good at getting that information for themselves.
Here are a few of the most common ways thieves can get access to your data:
What personal information is generally taken when identity theftoccurs?
The type of information that hackers take during a breach can vary widely. It just depends on what information a company stores, what data the cybercriminal can access, and even the purpose of the attack. A hacker might be making a political statement or simply "showing off" their skills.
During a breach, hackers target information that can be resold on the dark web or used for identity fraud, like debit cardor credit card accounts. They might also collect data like people's full names, email addresses, passwords, Social Security numbers, and driver's licensenumbers.
How to recover from identity theft
Dealing with identity theftcan be stressful and a little bit scary, but we promise it's not the end of the world. The important thing is to be quick about it and stay alert for signs of identity theft, like:
The good news is that if you're ever the victim of identity theft, there are several things you can doto limit and reverse that damage. We'll explore these steps in the next few sections.
Contact the company where your information was stolen
Notify your credit card company, financial institution, or the business where the thief is using your data right away. For example, if the criminal is using your credit card numberto buy clothing online, contact the store immediately. They'll be able to stop any further purchases from being made.
File a police report
Banks don't like scams, either. Some banks may require you to show them a police report about your identity theftbefore they'll refund any fraudulent charges or withdrawals. Call your local law enforcementoffice to report identity theftas soon as you can.
Before speaking to an officer, though, take the time to go over all the information so you don't leave anything out. Be as detailed as possible. Let the cops know how your sensitive informationwas used and what dates and times it was used. You may want to bring a copy of your bank statementas proof.
Notify the three major credit bureaus
One of the biggest pains about identity theftis that it can affect your credit score, which can affect your ability to do things like secure a business loan or buy a house. File a fraud alertwith each of the three major credit bureaus- TransUnion, Equifax, and Experian- and let them know which activity on your credit reportis false.
File a report with the Federal Trade Commission
When you file a report with the Federal Trade Commission(FTC), they'll create a free recovery planfor you to deal with your identity being stolen. The FTCis a government organization that protects the rights of consumers. You can get started by visiting IdentityTheft.gov.
Consider investing in a comprehensive security plan
The best time to deal with identity theftis before it happens. When you sign up for all-in-one protection, like McAfee Total Protection, you'll get $1 million of identity theft protectioninsurance.
We'll also provide identity monitoring to help catch threats to your information before they get out of hand. You'll also get access to our Secure VPN and our quality antivirus and safe browsing software to protect you from threats like malware.
Browse confidently with award-winning identity protection
You deserve to live your life online and enjoy the internet the way it was meant to be. That's where McAfee can help - making the digital world a safe placefor you and your family!
We've got your back when it comes to your online identity with our identity protection service. When you sign up, we'll keep tabs on up to 60 unique types of personal data, including your financial information. We'll also notify you up to 10 months sooner than similar services if it seems like your identity has been compromised. And on top of $1 million of ID theftcoverage, you'll receive hands-on restoration support to get your identity back.
See how McAfee can help secure your personal information online and give you peace of mind. What Is Identity Theftand How Do You Recover From It?