PHOENIX—Attorney General Kris Mayes warns Arizonans to protect themselves from identity theft on the first day of Identity Theft Awareness Week, which begins today. This week serves as an important reminder to safeguard your personal and financial information and familiarize yourself with the steps you can take to prevent becoming a victim of fraud.
“Identity theft can happen to anyone,” said Attorney General Mayes, “Safeguarding personal sensitive information like your Social Security number, bank pin, and online passwords is the first step to protecting yourself from fraud. My office is here to help if you or your loved ones have been a victim of identity theft.”
Identity theft is a serious issue that can occur when someone uses your personal or financial information – such your name, address, credit card, bank account, Social Security number, or medical insurance account – to commit various fraudulent activities without your permission such as opening lines of credit, stealing tax refunds, or filing fake health insurance claims.
Warning signs:
- Read your bills. Do you see charges for things you didn’t buy?
- Watch your bank account statement. Are there withdrawals or changes you didn’t make?
- Check your mail. Did you get a bill for an account you never opened? Or did you get a letter about an employer you don’t recognize?
- Get your credit report. Are there accounts or other information you don’t recognize?
Tips:
- Protect documents that have personal information. Keep official documents like your birth certificate, Social Security card, and account statements in a safe place. Shred any documents that reveal your personal information before you throw them away.
- Don’t share your Social Security number with someone who contacts you unexpectedly.
- Protect your information online and on your phone. Simple steps like using strong, unique passwords and two-factor authentication, avoiding accessing sensitive information on public networks, and carefully examining incoming text messages can significantly reduce the risk of identity theft.
During this Identity Theft Awareness Week, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) will offer a range of webinars and detailed information on preventing identity theft. If you suspect identity theft, report it to the FTC: for help in English, go to IdentityTheft.go and for help in Spanish, go to RobodeIdentidad.gov.
If you believe you have been the victim of consumer fraud, you can file a consumer complaint by visiting the Attorney General's website. If you need a complaint form sent to you, contact the Attorney General's Office in Phoenix at (602) 542-5763, in Tucson at (520) 628-6648, or outside the Phoenix and Tucson metro areas at (800) 352-8431.