Identity Theft Awareness Week: Types and methods of identity theft.

Identity Theft Awareness Week is January 27-31. This week, we’re covering all things Identity Theft and offering up ways to protect yourself.

What are the different types of identity theft?
Unfortunately, identity theft comes in many forms, and fraudsters’ methods are always evolving. Below are some types of identity theft to look out for:

• Financial identity theft. This is the most common form of identity theft, which occurs when personal information is stolen and used for a fraudster’s financial gain.
• Tax identity theft. This occurs when ID thieves use someone’s personal information to file a tax return to get a refund.
• Medical identity theft. Here, fraudsters use personal information to receive health care in someone else’s name.
• Employment identity theft. Identity thieves steal information to get a job or pass a background check.
• Child identity theft. This happens when fraudsters open credit accounts in the name of children who are under 16 who don’t yet have credit reports. Victims of this type of fraud might not realize it until they are older and go to apply for student loans or a job.
• Estate identity theft. Fraudsters will try to steal money or open accounts with the personal information of someone who is deceased.
• Criminal identity theft. Though all forms of identity theft are criminal, this kind occurs when someone gets arrested and provides someone else’s personal information to the police. This one is tricky because the victim won’t be able to detect the fraud until there are consequences, such as when a speeding ticket goes unpaid or a judge issues an order for the victim’s arrest.
• Synthetic identity theft. A combination of real and fake information is used to create new identities. For example, fraudsters can use a real Social Security number with a fake name. Those most at risk are people who don’t actively use their Social Security numbers, such as children or the deceased.

How to stop your information from being exposed
Did you know that nine out of 10 consumers have had their personal information exposed online? That can happen as part of the many large information security breaches you see on the news, when fraudsters access or hack into your emails, bank accounts, or other financial information. Or, more commonly, when you unwittingly provide that information to them through phishing, smishing, and vishing—attacks in which scammers trick you into divulging your personal information through fake emails, texts, or phone calls. Regardless of the method fraudsters try to use, here are some ways to protect yourself:

• Safeguard your computer and devices with security software.
• Stay on top of and download software and hardware updates on your devices.
• Set strong and unique passwords for all your online accounts.
• Employ multi-factor authentication on all your online accounts.
• Regularly back up your data on a hard drive.
• Never click on links or download files from unrecognizable sources.
• Never provide your financial or personal information without verifying the source.

If you receive an email, phone call, or text from a bank or company you do business with, asking for personal or financial information they should already have, do not respond! Instead, call them directly at their published number.

Want to learn more about identity theft and how to protect yourself?
This Identity Theft Awareness Week, we’re equipping you with the information you need to protect your personal information all year round. Watch for new content all week long. Visit our Identity Theft Awareness Week webpage to learn more or drop by any office to pick up a free Identity Theft brochure.

North Shore Bank and Abington Bank are here to protect you.
Your security is our priority. To learn more about ways we can help you safeguard your accounts, contact us at 877.380.2265 or stop by your nearest office.