Types of Identity Theft
This form of identity theft occurs when someone uses another person's personal information to obtain medical services or prescriptions.
What is medical identity theft?
They are the type of mistakes made on the Dark Web that can lead the FBI back to a user - such as using the same username across sites or reusing email addresses.
What are operational security (OpSec) slip-ups or poor anonymity practices?
This type of unfamiliar activity on your bank or credit card statement may be a red flag.
What is an unauthorized charge or transaction?
This is the type of mail you should shred before throwing away, to protect sensitive information.
What is credit card offers or bank statements?
This is the first agency you should report identity theft to in the U.S.
What is the Federal Trade Commission?
When an individual uses someone else's personal information to commit a crime or avoid arrest, it is known as this type of identity theft.
What is criminal identity theft?
This encryption-based browser is commonly used to access Dark Web sites and can be traced if misconfigured or compromised.
What is the Tor browser?
If you stop receiving bills or mail unexpectedly, this may indicate someone has done this.
What is changed your mailing address without your knowledge?
You should never carry this personal government-issued document in your wallet.
What is a Social Security Card?
You should contact these three organizations to place a fraud alert or freeze on your credit.
What are the credit bureaus - Equifax, Experian, and Transunion?
This type of identity theft involves using another person's financial information to make unauthorized purchases or open accounts.
What is financial identity theft?
This kind of digital currency, often used in Dark Web transactions, can still leave trails which law enforcement can follow.
What is cryptocurrency?
You may have been a victim of identity theft if a debt collector contacts you about this kind of account.
What is an account you didn't open?
This type of password makes it harder for thieves to access your accounts.
What is a strong complex password?
Filing this official document with your local law enforcement can help support your identity theft claim.
What is a police report?
This form of identity theft targets minors, using their clean credit history to open accounts or obtain services without detection.
What is child identity theft?
Law enforcement often uses this strategy involving deceptive or undercover platforms on the Dark Web to identify criminals.
What is running undercover or "honeypot" sites/sting operations?
This free annual resource can help you spot suspicious credit activity.
What is a credit report?
When shopping online, you should make sure the website URL begins with these five letters to ensure it's secure.
What is https?
This type of alert notifies leaders to take extra precautions before opening new accounts in your name.
What is fraud alert?
This type of identity theft involves using someone's personal information to file fraudulent tax returns and claims refunds.
What is tax identity theft?
Even on anonymous networks, this kind of metadata - like IP logs or usage timestamps - can be exploited by the FBI if exposed.
What is network metadata or IP/timestamp log data?
Receiving a bill for a medical procedure you didn't have is a red flag for this type of identity theft.
What is medical identity theft?
To limit access to your personal information, avoid sharing this number except when absolutely necessary.
What is your Social Security number?
To stop new accounts from being opened in your name, you can request this action be taken on your credit file.
What is a credit freeze?