Questions Fréquentes
À propos de Identity Theft
1 What is identity theft?
Identity theft occurs when someone uses your personal information - like your name, Social Security number, or credit card details - without permission to commit fraud or other crimes. This can result in financial loss, damaged credit, and emotional distress.
2 How do I know if my identity has been stolen?
Warning signs include: unexplained withdrawals or charges, bills for accounts you didn't open, calls from debt collectors about unknown debts, denied credit applications, IRS notices about multiple tax returns filed in your name, and medical bills for services you didn't receive.
3 What should I do if my identity is stolen?
Place fraud alerts with credit bureaus, review credit reports for fraudulent accounts, close compromised accounts, file a report with the FTC at IdentityTheft.gov, file a police report, freeze your credit, and document everything.
4 How can I protect myself from identity theft?
Freeze your credit at all three bureaus, use strong unique passwords, enable two-factor authentication, shred sensitive documents, monitor your credit regularly, be cautious with personal information online, and avoid public WiFi for sensitive transactions.
5 What is a credit freeze and how does it help?
A credit freeze restricts access to your credit report, preventing new accounts from being opened in your name. It's free to place and lift. This is the most effective protection against identity theft because lenders can't check your credit for new applications.