Identity Theft - Fraud - Scams
If someone steals and uses your personal information, you should report it to the Federal Trade Commission by filing an Identity Theft Report at identitytheft.gov.
If you have been contacted by the Social Security Administration and you suspect it to be a scam, please report it to the Social Security Administration at oig.ssa.gov.
Identity Theft
How can identity theft affect me?
Identity theft can damage your finances, credit rating, and reputation, and complicate many areas of your life. Identity thieves might:
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 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 photo.
- receive medical care under you insurance.
- take out loans in your name.
- create a false criminal record for you by using your identifying information when investigated or arrested by the police.
- file a false tax return and collect a refund.
- get a job and have earnings reported as your income.
Robocalls
If you answer the phone and hear a recorded message instead of a live person, it's a robocall. If you’re getting a lot of robocalls trying to sell you something, odds are the calls are illegal. Many are also probably scams. Here’s what you need to know about robocalls and what you can do about them.
Are robocalls legal?
A robocall trying to sell you something is illegal unless the company trying to sell you something got written permission, directly from you, to call you that way. To get your permission, the company must be clear it’s asking to call you with robocalls, and it can’t make you agree to the calls to get a product or service. If you give permission, you have the right to change your mind later. A few types of robocalls are allowed under FTC rules without your permission, like political calls about candidates running for office or charities asking for donations. Keep reading for more examples. If you’re getting a lot of robocalls trying to sell you something, odds are the calls are illegal. Many are also probably scams.
Why do I get so many robocalls?
It's cheap and easy for scammers and telemarketers to make robocalls over the internet from anywhere in the world. Scammers use caller ID spoofing technology to hide their actual phone number and instead make it look as if the call is coming from a legitimate phone number. For example, they can trick one into thinking that they are getting a call from a government agency, business, or even someone from your local area.
How can I know if a robocall is a scam?
If someone is already breaking the law by robocalling you without permission, there’s a good chance it’s a scam. At the very least, it’s a company you don’t want to do business with. Don’t rely on your caller ID. Scammers can fake the name and number that shows up, making it look like a call is from a government agency like the IRS or a local number. That’s called spoofing. To read about how to avoid a government impersonator scam, please click HERE. You can watch out for common phone scams like government impersonator scams. If someone calls you out of the blue and asks you to hand over personal information or wire money or pay with a gift card, it’s a scam.
What kinds of robocalls are allowed without my permission?
Under FTC rules, some robocalls don't require your permission: Messages that are purely informational, debt collection calls, political calls, calls from some health care providers, messages from charities.
How can I get fewer robocalls?
Call-blocking and call-labeling solutions can help you get fewer illegal robocalls. The call-blocking or call-labeling option you choose will depend on whether you’re getting calls on a cell phone, traditional landline, or home phone that makes calls over the internet. For information on how to block unwanted calls, click HERE.
What should I do if I get an illegal robocall?
Hang up. Don't press any numbers. The recording might say that pressing a number will let you speak to a live operator or remove you from their call list, but it might lead to more robocalls instead. Report the call to the FTC at DoNotCall.gov. Report the number that received the call, the number on your caller ID, and any number you’re told to call back. Also report the exact date and time of the call if you know it. Knowing all this information helps the FTC track down the scammers behind the call. Even if you think the number on your caller ID is fake, report it. The FTC analyzes report data and trends to identify illegal callers based on calling patterns. The FTC takes the illegal callers’ phone numbers you report and releases them to the public each business day. This helps phone companies and other partners that are working on call-blocking and call-labeling solutions. Your reports also help law enforcement identify the people behind illegal calls. To register your number with the National Do Not Call Registry, please click HERE.
Are robocalls legal?
A robocall trying to sell you something is illegal unless the company trying to sell you something got written permission, directly from you, to call you that way. To get your permission, the company must be clear it’s asking to call you with robocalls, and it can’t make you agree to the calls to get a product or service. If you give permission, you have the right to change your mind later. A few types of robocalls are allowed under FTC rules without your permission, like political calls about candidates running for office or charities asking for donations. Keep reading for more examples. If you’re getting a lot of robocalls trying to sell you something, odds are the calls are illegal. Many are also probably scams.
Why do I get so many robocalls?
It's cheap and easy for scammers and telemarketers to make robocalls over the internet from anywhere in the world. Scammers use caller ID spoofing technology to hide their actual phone number and instead make it look as if the call is coming from a legitimate phone number. For example, they can trick one into thinking that they are getting a call from a government agency, business, or even someone from your local area.
How can I know if a robocall is a scam?
If someone is already breaking the law by robocalling you without permission, there’s a good chance it’s a scam. At the very least, it’s a company you don’t want to do business with. Don’t rely on your caller ID. Scammers can fake the name and number that shows up, making it look like a call is from a government agency like the IRS or a local number. That’s called spoofing. To read about how to avoid a government impersonator scam, please click HERE. You can watch out for common phone scams like government impersonator scams. If someone calls you out of the blue and asks you to hand over personal information or wire money or pay with a gift card, it’s a scam.
What kinds of robocalls are allowed without my permission?
Under FTC rules, some robocalls don't require your permission: Messages that are purely informational, debt collection calls, political calls, calls from some health care providers, messages from charities.
How can I get fewer robocalls?
Call-blocking and call-labeling solutions can help you get fewer illegal robocalls. The call-blocking or call-labeling option you choose will depend on whether you’re getting calls on a cell phone, traditional landline, or home phone that makes calls over the internet. For information on how to block unwanted calls, click HERE.
What should I do if I get an illegal robocall?
Hang up. Don't press any numbers. The recording might say that pressing a number will let you speak to a live operator or remove you from their call list, but it might lead to more robocalls instead. Report the call to the FTC at DoNotCall.gov. Report the number that received the call, the number on your caller ID, and any number you’re told to call back. Also report the exact date and time of the call if you know it. Knowing all this information helps the FTC track down the scammers behind the call. Even if you think the number on your caller ID is fake, report it. The FTC analyzes report data and trends to identify illegal callers based on calling patterns. The FTC takes the illegal callers’ phone numbers you report and releases them to the public each business day. This helps phone companies and other partners that are working on call-blocking and call-labeling solutions. Your reports also help law enforcement identify the people behind illegal calls. To register your number with the National Do Not Call Registry, please click HERE.
Beware of Tactics
Identity thieves continue to use simple, time-tested methods to steal your identity. Avoid these everyday dangers.
Mail Theft
"Shoulder surfers" observe your actions or eavesdrop to steal personal information. They look over your shoulder or stand close by and may use a camera phone to record you.
Mail Theft
- Use a locking, security mailbox if possible, or consider renting a P.O. box at the post office.
- Put outgoing mail into a postal mailbox (located outside the Plainview Post Office and by Bennett's).
- Shred unwanted documents containing personal information and all unsolicited credit card or loan offers.
- Invest in high-quality cross-cut shredder. Thieves can piece together papers shredded into horizontal strips.
"Shoulder surfers" observe your actions or eavesdrop to steal personal information. They look over your shoulder or stand close by and may use a camera phone to record you.
- Shield keypads with your hand or body before entering PINs, passwords, or card numbers.
- Avoid sharing personal information over the phone in public. If you must, use a low voice and shield your mouth.
- Minimize what you carry in your wallet, especially payment cards.
- Never carry your Social Security card unless absolutely necessary.
- Don’t carry PINs or account passwords with you; memorize them or keep them safely locked up at home.
Stay away from Scams
Running a scam or fraud is another time-tested method for identity thieves. They may contact you in person; by phone/robocall, postal mail, or email; or through the Internet (including on social media) to try to trick you into giving out personal information. Follow these tips to stay safe.
- Stay aware of current scams. Watch or read the news. The nation's consumer protection agency, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), offers information and tips on current scams.
- Before divulging personal information to anyone, know with whom you're dealing. Independently verify any information provided. Fine the physical address and phone number of who contacted you by yourself. Don't trust email addresses given by unknown people. Search online for a company's name and website. Read through the site, and read any online reviews of the person or business.
- Never reply to messages asking for personal information, whether the message was sent over the phone or by email, text message, or through an ad. Do not call phone numbers or click on links contained in these messages.
- Never send money or account information in reply to notices that you won a prize or lottery.
- Give only to established charities.
- Don't fall for pressure tactics. Never react quickly or impulsively to offers or requests.
- Be wary of "imposter" scams in which a scammer pretends to be someone close to you or an entity you're likely to question. Fraudsters pretend to be family members, friends, love interests, government agencies, or companies, often trying to get personal information.