Fraud/Identity Theft

What is Identity Theft?

Identity theft occurs when someone uses your personal identification information, like your name, Social Security number or credit card number, without your permission to commit fraud or other crimes. Here are some ways you can protect yourself:

Shred financial documents and paperwork with personal information before you discard them. Don’t carry your Social Security card in your wallet or write your Social Security number on a check. Give it out only if absolutely necessary or ask to use another identifier. Don’t give out personal information over the phone, through the mail, or on the internet unless you know who you are dealing with.

Never click on links sent in unsolicited emails; instead, type in a web address you know. Keep your anti-spyware and anti-virus software up-to-date. Visit OnGuardOnline.gov for more information.

Don’t use an obvious password like your birth date, your mother’s maiden name, or the last four digits of your Social Security number.

If you’re going on vacation or a business trip, call your credit card company(s) and let them know where you’re going and for how long.

Think you might be a victim?

Check out these important steps from the Federal Trade Commission: Browse Recovery Steps

8 Ways to Stop an Identity Thief

More than 15.4 million Americans were victims of identity fraud last year, according to Javelin Strategy & Research. The American Bankers Association is offering eight tips to help consumers protect their information and avoid becoming a victim.

“Identity fraud continues to be a major problem for consumers,” said Doug Johnson, ABA’s senior vice president of payments and cybersecurity policy. “Fortunately, there are ways consumers can protect themselves, like being cautious about what information they share and who they share it with, especially online.”

ABA suggests following these eight tips:

AARP Scam Alerts

1. November
   1. Investment Scams

      We’ve all received the pitch — that one investment opportunity that sounds just too good to pass up. But 99.99% of the time, passing it up is exactly the right thing to do. Investment fraud siphons billions of dollars from investors every year. Here’s how to spot a phony investment opportunity coming your way.
      
      Avoid any investment where you have to “act now.” If the scammer can convince you to engage before you take the time to do any research or think more critically about the offer, they get your "investment" money. Also be wary of investment pitches that uses phrases such as "incredible gains” or "breakout stock pick.” According to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission these phrases suggest high risk and possible fraud.

   2. Online Shopping Scams

      Thanks in part to worldwide supply chain delays the holiday shopping season has started earlier than ever, with shoppers trying to scoop up top gift items before they disappear. That means the online shopping scam season has officially begun.
      
      Here are the two simple steps you can take to stay a step ahead of the grinch this holiday shopping season.
      
      Type, but don’t click. The safest place to shop online is with retailers you trust and by typing their url into your web browser is much safer than clicking on a link you find in an email or web search. Also, avoid deals that you know are too good to be true, even if the offer comes from a friend. Scammers are experts at hacking social media accounts and one of the first things they do is send out fake offers to victim’s friends and family.

   3. Veterans Scams
      

      Their time in service to protect our country is over. Now it's our turn to protect our veterans from scams. Veterans deserve our gratefulness, our respect and praise. Here's what they don't deserve: attempts to take advantage of their service. Yet every day, scammers attempt to defraud our veterans of their hard-earned benefits, steal their identity, or take their savings.
      
      These frauds include seeking donations for fake charities claiming to serve our nation’s veterans (always research before giving); targeting veterans with fake employment opportunities (it’s a scam if you have to pay to get the job or provide sensitive personal information); and offers of free cash from little-known government grant programs (the federal government doesn’t hand out grants to individuals).

2. October
   1. Cyber Security Awareness Month

      As our lives become increasingly dependent on technology, more personal and business information is kept on internet-connected platforms, which can become a gold mine for criminals. October is National Cyber Security Month and AARP is joining federal law enforcement partners to encourage consumers to be cyber secure throughout their homes and businesses.
      
      Here are some key steps. Create strong and unique passwords for all accounts (or use a password manager to do it for you).  Opt-in to multi-factor authentication at every opportunity (where you receive a code on your device and share the code back to prove it’s you). Back up your data. Make sure all your devices are operating on the latest software. These steps are a good start to keep you cyber secure.

   2. Becky from Medicare

      For the past few months thousands of robocalls have been hitting U.S. phone lines claiming to be “Becky, from Medicare.” And trust us, this is a conversation you’ll want to skip.
      
      A target will receive a prerecorded call from “Becky from Medicare” and is asked to press 1 to talk to a representative to learn about free genetic testing. For those who interact with Becky (or one of her friendly colleagues), she’ll claim they are eligible for genetic testing to screen for diseases that Medicare will pay for. They will ask for the target’s Medicare number and mailing address to send a test kit with instructions.
      
      This is a scam, pure and simple. All these crooks want is your Medicare number so they can bill Medicare for tests, devices – whatever their flavor of the day. These fraudulent charges cost Medicare billions each year.

   3. Smart Homes Need Smart Security
      

      Smart homes can bring all of our systems, devices and even appliances online. If this is a route you’re taking, know that smart homes need smart security.  
      
      When setting up a new device, be sure to adjust the privacy and security settings. For any device that has a default password, change it, and do so again periodically. All of your passwords should be unique and complex. Avoid connecting your email or calendar to smart home devices, along with any other apps that store sensitive information. Also, set up each device so that any new software update uploads automatically. Updates often contain patches to protect against newly discovered vulnerabilities.

   4. Medicare Open Enrollment Scams

      It’s open enrollment season, which also means it’s Medicare fraud season. Eligible beneficiaries have until December 7 to shop for the best deal for their health care dollar. Unfortunately, some of the deals out there won’t be deals at all.
      
      Just like in other years, Medicare scams spike during open enrollment season with scammers posing as insurance providers calling and emailing about free gifts or limited time offers. These scams are designed to capture information to bill Medicare for bogus services and treatment.
      
      Be suspicious of anyone who calls, emails or visits you promoting a Medicare plan. Legitimate health plans can only contact you if you’ve requested information. Don’t give personal information to anyone who calls or visits out of the blue and always review your Medicare summary notice or explanation of benefits statement for fraudulent charges.

3. September
   1. AARP Impostor Scams

      One of the most effective things that criminals can do to gain your confidence is impersonate an organization that you do business with and trust. Sadly, no one is immune from this. Not even AARP.

      Recently, the AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline has been receiving calls about a scam involving phone calls from someone claiming to be with "AARP Security Systems" (or something similar sounding). We are told the first question they ask is whether you own your home and then they hang up.

   2. "Smishing”

      As more of us catch on to scam calls to our smartphones and block them or don’t answer them, scammers have taken to texting. “Smishing” is the term of art: SMS + phishing. Just as scammers phish by casting a wide net with email, so they do with smishing.

      The same things that we suggest in order to avoid phishing attacks apply to smishing.  But texts live in this space of immediacy – scammers know we are likely to respond much faster to a text than an email. To thwart their efforts, take a pause and consider the message. Is this really my bank, or Amazon, or PayPal, or the IRS texting me? Don’t click links – access the company or agency in a way you know to be safe and see if there’s an issue. Otherwise, don’t engage.

   3. Grandparent Scams
      

      Criminals know that fear is the best motivator, and nothing drives fear more than a loved one in trouble. This is why scams targeting grandparents seem never to go away.

      If someone calls claiming to be your grandchild, or some authority calling about your grandchild who is in trouble or danger, it’s most likely a scam. It’s certainly a scam if the caller directs you to send money fast to resolve the problem. Your best move is to hang up and call your grandchild or reach out to family who would know his or her whereabouts.

   4. Utility Scams
      

      Utility scams heat up as the temperatures rise (and when they fall), so much so that the Federal Trade Commission ranks utility impostors among the top reported scams. In this one, you typically get a call, email or text saying your account is past due and you must pay immediately, or they will cut off your power.  Another tactic is the “utility” claiming you overpaid your bill, and they request your bank account information to issue a refund. Utility scammers can also show up at your door after a power outage or severe storm offering to get your power back on for a fee.

      Utility companies typically don’t do business this way. Any unusual communication from your utility should raise a flag. Disengage and contact your provider at a number you know to be legitimate (off of a recent statement, for example). Chances are you’ll learn that there is no problem to address.

Be a fraud fighter! If you can spot a scam, you can stop a scam.

Report scams to local law enforcement. Visit the AARP Fraud Website for more information on fraud prevention.

The Federal Trade Commission and American Bankers Association have posted a helpful infographic on Fake Check Scams.

Click here to view the Fake check Scam Infographic.