INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (ADAMS) – January 29 kicked off Identity Theft Awareness Week, and Attorney General Todd Rokita is encouraging all Hoosiers to beware of cyber criminals and how to protect their personal information.
The AG’s office released the following:
“We rely heavily on technology these days, and while it often makes life easier, it also puts everyday Hoosiers at greater risk,” Attorney General Rokita said. “Cyber-attacks happen far too often, and our identities are vulnerable with any online activity. The best thing Hoosiers can do is educate themselves and stay on high alert.”
Cyber-attacks do not only affect schools and businesses. Whether it is the result of a data breach, phishing scam, or hack, identity theft can happen to anyone at any given time, including children.
According to the Identity Theft Resource Center, there were more than 353 million victims of ID theft in 2023.
The Office of the Attorney General suggests all Hoosiers read the following to avoid, detect, and respond to this crime:
Tips to protect you and your family:
Do not conduct any sensitive transactions, including purchases, on a public Wi-Fi network.
Create a unique password for each online account and change often.
Don’t click on anything in unsolicited emails or text messages.
Be careful with the information you and your family share on social media. Sharing things like pet names, schools, and family members can give scammers the hints they need to guess your passwords or the answers to your account security questions.
Place a security freeze on your credit reports to block an identity thief from opening a new account or obtaining credit in your name and keep new creditors from accessing your credit report without your permission.
Common clues someone has stolen your identity:
Bank account transactions you can’t explain.
Unfamiliar accounts or charges on your credit report.
Medical bills for services you didn’t use.
A health plan won’t cover you because your medical records show a condition you don’t have.
The IRS notifies you that more than one tax return was filed in your name, or that you have income from an employer you don’t work for.
What to do right away if your identity is stolen:
Call the companies where you know the fraud occurred.
Place a security freeze and request a free credit report with all three credit unions, Experian, Transunion, and Equifax.
Any Indiana resident can request a credit freeze free of charge. There is no fee for Indiana residents to place, temporarily lift, remove or request a new password or PIN.
Contact Attorney General Rokita’s office if you believe you are a victim of identity theft here or call us at 1-800-382-5516.
For additional tips, you may also visit identitytheft.gov, a site maintained by the Federal Trade Commission.
Comments