Incidents of Identity Theft

As per the Federal Trade Commission, in 2023, over 1,700 residents of Maine reported incidents of identity theft. This marks a substantial uptick of almost 25 percent compared to the figures recorded in 2022.

Common Identity Theft Techniques:

Credit Fraud:
Description: Occurs when a perpetrator utilizes your personal details, such as birthdate and Social Security number, to apply for a new credit line.

Tax Identity Fraud:
Description: Fraudsters exploit your Social Security number to file a tax return, aiming to hijack your tax refund or tax credit.

Hacking:
Description: Criminals gain access to your personal information through data breaches of businesses, credit card companies, and medical offices.

Imposter Scam:
Description: Perpetrators masquerade as genuine organizations through phone calls, emails, or text messages to gain trust and coax individuals into divulging personal information.

Stealing Mail/Documents:
Description: Identity thieves’ resort to traditional methods like pilfering documents from your mail or trash, showcasing a resurgence of offline identity theft techniques. Shred your documents!

Preventing Identity Theft:

To safeguard yourself from these methods, consider implementing the following preventive measures:

By staying vigilant and taking proactive steps, you can significantly reduce the risk of falling victim to identity theft.