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Each year, millions of Americans report fraud and identity theft to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Criminals steal billions of dollars from consumers, making identity theft one of the fastest-growing financial crimes in the United States. To avoid financial hardship, damaged credit, and the exhaustion of legal resources, it is important to take steps to protect your identity. While it’s not always possible to prevent theft, there are many ways to reduce your risk. Knowing what to do can help you avoid becoming one of the millions of victims.

Identity thieves use a variety of methods—including cyberattacks, stolen mail, data breaches, and phishing scams—to access personal information. Understanding these tactics is the first step toward protecting yourself.

Best Ways to Protect Yourself from Identity Theft

• Use our free credit score monitoring tool; use this service to regularly check your credit and quickly detect unusual activity.
• Enable card controls, including transaction alerts and spending limits, to monitor activity in real time.
• Review your credit reports regularly.
• Set up fraud alerts by contacting your financial institution.
• Avoid carrying your Social Security card unless necessary.
• Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) on all your accounts.
• Create strong, unique passwords for every account and consider using a password manager.
• Avoid accessing financial accounts or sending sensitive information over public Wi-Fi.
• Learn to recognize phishing emails, texts, and phone calls, and never click suspicious links or provide personal information.
• Don't respond to unsolicited phone calls, text messages, or emails requesting personal or financial information.

What to do if Your Identity is Stolen

1. Contact your financial institution immediately.
2. Freeze or lock affected accounts and cards.
3. Change passwords and enable multi-factor authentication.
4. Review recent account activity and dispute unauthorized transactions.
5. Report identity theft to the FTC at IdentityTheft.gov.
6. File a police report if required for documentation or by your financial institution.

If you suspect you’ve become a victim of identity theft, contact your financial institution immediately. Acting quickly can help minimize financial losses and prevent additional fraudulent activity. While identity theft can happen to anyone, staying informed and taking preventive steps can significantly reduce risks. It is crucial to frequently check what is going on in your account and to get suspicious activity checked out right away. Keep these tips in mind to help protect yourself and your loved ones.

First Community Credit Union offers services and materials to help our members safeguard accounts. Staying proactive and reviewing your accounts regularly can help detect potential issues before they become more serious. Taking advantage of fraud alerts, account monitoring tools, and educational resources can provide an added layer of protection against scams and identity theft. To learn more about protecting yourself from fraudulent identity theft, visit our resource center.