Identity Theft & Fraud Prevention
The scams that target families and older relatives, the warning signs and what to do if one gets through.
By text
Kitchen-table money tips by text
Short money tips on credit, saving and staying safe from scams, about one a day.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
By text
Kitchen-table money tips by text
Short money tips on credit, saving and staying safe from scams, about one a day.
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