Posted On: September 12, 2024 by Farmers Trust & Savings Bank in: Financial Security
Identity theft can damage your finances, credit rating, and reputation, and complicate many areas of your life. Identity thieves might:
- drain your bank account.
- make purchases with your credit cards.
- open new accounts (bank, cell phone, utility, credit card, etc.) in your name.
- get identity and government documents issued with your name and their photos.
- receive medical care under your insurance.
- take out loans in your name.
- create a false criminal record for you by using you identifying information when investigated or arrested by the police.
Another growing problem is tax-related identity theft. Using your Social Security number, an identity thief might:
- file a false tax return and collect a refund.
- get a job and have earnings reported as your income.
To report a scam or fraud, contact:
- Contact your local bank
- Your local police department and state attorney general's office
- The Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov/#/ or 1-877-FTC-HELP
- The Internet Crime Complaint Center (if Internet related) at ic3.gov
- The US Postal Inspection Service (if mail related) at postalinspectors.uspis.gov or 1-877-876-2455
To report other types of fraud, visit the US Department of Justice at justice.gov/criminal-fraud/report-fraud
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