Staff writer · Identity Theft & Fraud Prevention

Desmond Okafor

21 articles, newest first.

Identity Theft & Fraud Prevention
Breach Letter Received? The Sources Can't Rank Freeze Against Alert.
The sources reviewed here do not settle which step comes first, so this guide explains how the tools differ, a sensible order for deciding, and the scam signs to watch for.
Desmond OkaforNov 3, 2026
Identity Theft & Fraud Prevention
Someone Used Your Name: What to Do First
Report the theft through the federal site at IdentityTheft.gov, then work through the accounts, credit bureaus and tax records in that order.
Desmond OkaforOct 31, 2026
Identity Theft & Fraud Prevention
What to Do First After Identity Theft, and How to Spot the Follow-Up Scam
Report the theft at IdentityTheft.gov, close the compromised accounts, and freeze your credit, then watch for callers posing as the FTC.
Desmond OkaforOct 23, 2026
Identity Theft & Fraud Prevention
Identity Theft and the Police: Where a Report Fits, and Where It Doesn't
The federal report and your accounts come first on the CFPB's checklist, and a local police report is a useful addition, not a stated universal requirement.
Desmond OkaforOct 16, 2026
Identity Theft & Fraud Prevention
Freezing a Child's Credit Without Getting Lost in the Process
A child usually has no credit file, but a thief can create one, so a parent should search for a report first and then freeze each bureau separately.
Desmond OkaforOct 9, 2026
Identity Theft & Fraud Prevention
A Child's Credit File Should Be Empty. If It Isn't, Ask Why
A credit report in a minor's name is a flag, not proof of theft. A parent can ask each of the three bureaus to check for one.
Desmond OkaforOct 1, 2026
Identity Theft & Fraud Prevention
Extended Alerts Are Unclear in the Sources. Start With These Steps
Federal guidance confirms fraud alerts are one protective step after identity theft. The extended version's details were not in the sources reviewed, so start with the confirmed steps.
Desmond OkaforSep 24, 2026
Identity Theft & Fraud Prevention
The Active Duty Alert: A Verification Signal, Not a Lock
A free credit-file notice can make new-account fraud harder for servicemembers who are away, but it does not freeze credit or stop every application.
Desmond OkaforSep 17, 2026
Identity Theft & Fraud Prevention
The Call From the Government Is Probably Not From the Government
Imposters borrow the authority of federal agencies to rush you into paying or handing over personal details, and a few checks before you respond will usually expose them.
Desmond OkaforSep 9, 2026
Identity Theft & Fraud Prevention
The Jury Duty Warrant That Doesn't Exist
Every version of this call follows the same script, and the way it asks to be paid gives it away.
Desmond OkaforSep 2, 2026
Identity Theft & Fraud Prevention
The Charity Prize Call That Is Really a Scam
A friendly call about a sweepstakes win tied to a charity you already support is built to lower your guard. Hang up and check it yourself.
Desmond OkaforAug 26, 2026
Identity Theft & Fraud Prevention
A Letter About a Claim You Never Filed
Unemployment benefit fraud often starts with mail you did not expect, so knowing the warning signs and the official reporting route matters.
Desmond OkaforAug 19, 2026

Desmond Okafor

Breach Letter Received? The Sources Can't Rank Freeze Against Alert.

Someone Used Your Name: What to Do First

What to Do First After Identity Theft, and How to Spot the Follow-Up Scam

Identity Theft and the Police: Where a Report Fits, and Where It Doesn't

Freezing a Child's Credit Without Getting Lost in the Process

A Child's Credit File Should Be Empty. If It Isn't, Ask Why

Extended Alerts Are Unclear in the Sources. Start With These Steps

The Active Duty Alert: A Verification Signal, Not a Lock

The Call From the Government Is Probably Not From the Government

The Jury Duty Warrant That Doesn't Exist

The Charity Prize Call That Is Really a Scam

A Letter About a Claim You Never Filed