According to the Federal Trade Commission, there were nearly 1.4 million reports of identity theft in 2021. Our increasingly digital lives allow cybercriminals to find new ways of putting our information and identities at risk daily.
Your personal information could include your full name, home address, email address, online login and passwords, Social Security number, driver’s license number, passport number, or bank account number. Once thieves access this information, they may use it to commit identity theft or sell it on the dark web.
To help prevent identity theft, follow these guidelines:
n Create unique passphrases for each account and device. A strong passphrase should be 15 characters long and include letters and numbers. Change your password if you suspect your account has been compromised.
n Never give out your personal information. Never give this information to anyone you don’t know, especially on phone calls you didn‘t initiate.
n Only carry what you absolutely need in your wallet. Leave your Social Security card, Medicare card, and debit and credit cards in a safe place at home.
Monitor your banking and credit card statements frequently, along with your credit reports and your mail. If you suspect you have fallen victim to identity theft, report it immediately to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service at ehome.uspis.gov/mailtheft/idtheft.aspx.
— Corporate Information Security Office,
Chief Information Security Officer
and Digital Solutions, 7-14-22.
