Identity Theft

By: Taryn Porter, Content Specialist at Cybercrime Support Network  

It’s important to stay vigilant and protect your private information online. Fraudsters are after pieces of your data like your name, date of birth, social security number (SSN), credit card information, driver’s license number, banking information, and more. If this data is breached, it can cause a multitude of issues, financial and otherwise.  

What can I do if my SSN has been compromised?  

First, be sure to notify your bank or financial institution about the theft of your personal data. Be sure to run a credit report and monitor for any unusual activity. If you notice a change, freeze your credit with Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion. To learn more about how you can report, recover, and reinforce after a cybersecurity breach, visit FraudSupport’s SSN identity theft resource page.  

How can I protect myself?  

Cybercrime Support Network (CSN) is proud to partner with organizations like The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) that work hard to fight insurance fraud and identity theft crimes. NICB has created resources like identity theft prevention tips and focus on fraud-fighting initiatives.  

Tips for keeping your personal information safe online:  

- Be wary about where you put your personal information online, especially your social security number. Don’t share your SSN unless necessary; provide other forms of identification when possible.  

- If you receive an email out of the blue requesting personal information, it is likely a phishing attempt. Never fill out personal information on a form you were not expecting to fill out.  

- Don’t post your address or your date of birth on a public platform like social media.  

- When online shopping, make sure the site is secure before entering your banking information. Check the web address for an ‘s’ at the end of “https://. This indicates a secure webpage.  

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