What is identity theft?

What is identity theft?

Identity theft is when someone steals your personal information, like your name or bank details, and pretends to be you. This can cause problems for you.

To protect yourself, you can:

• Keep your personal information safe.
• Use strong passwords online.
• Be careful who you share your information with.
• Check your bank statements for anything strange.

How do bad people steal someone's identity?

What do bad people need to pretend to be you?

Sometimes, bad people try to act like someone else. This is called stealing an identity. They might want to get money or trick others. To do this, they need some things:

• Your full name
• Your address
• Your date of birth
• Your credit card numbers
• Your bank account details
• Your social security number (or National Insurance number)

Be careful and keep this information safe!

If you need help with reading or understanding, ask a friend or adult to explain. You can also use tools like reading apps that speak the words out loud.

What are signs of identity theft?

Identity theft is when someone else uses your personal details to pretend to be you. Here are some signs that this might be happening:

• Unexpected bills: You get bills for things you didn't buy.
• Strange charges: There are charges on your bank statement that you don't recognize.
• Credit troubles: You find it hard to get credit or loans because of problems on your credit report.
• Missing mail: Your mail, like bank statements, goes missing.

To help you, you can:

• Use a password manager to keep your passwords safe and unique.
• Check your bank statements regularly for unknown charges.
• Get a free credit report once a year to check for any issues.
• Be careful about sharing personal information online or over the phone.

What happens if someone steals my identity?

If someone steals your identity, they pretend to be you. This can cause problems. They might take your money or buy things in your name. This could make it hard for you to get a loan from a bank. It might also take a long time to fix these problems.

To stay safe, you can:

• Use strong passwords on your accounts.
• Keep your personal information private.
• Check your bank and credit card statements regularly.

If you need help, ask a trusted person or find a helper online.

What to Do If Someone Uses Your Information

If you think someone is pretending to be you, tell an adult you trust. They can help you.

You can also call a special number for help. They will know what to do.

Use a notebook to write down what happens. This will help you remember.

Keep your information safe. Ask someone to show you how.

How can I stop people from stealing my identity?

Your identity is your personal details. This means things like your name, address, and bank details. Identity theft is when someone uses these details to pretend to be you.

Here are some easy ways to protect your identity:

• Keep your details private. Do not share them with strangers.
• Make strong passwords. Use letters, numbers, and symbols.
• Shred important papers before you throw them away.
• Check your bank statements to make sure everything is right.

If you need help, you can ask a friend or an adult you trust.

What is a data breach?

A data breach is when secret information is not safe anymore. It can happen when someone gets into a computer without asking.

Here is how you can stay safe:

• Use strong passwords.
• Change your passwords often.
• Be careful when sharing personal details online.

Using a password manager can help keep your information safe.

What is phishing?

Phishing is when someone tries to trick you into giving them your personal information, like passwords or bank details. Be careful with emails or messages from people you don't know. They might pretend to be someone you trust.

You can use tools like spam filters to help keep phishing emails out of your inbox. Always ask an adult if you're unsure about something online.

How does watching your credit help keep your identity safe?

Watching your credit is a way to keep your personal information safe. It means checking to see if anyone is using your name without asking.

Here are some ways watching your credit can help:

• Alerts: If someone tries to open a new account in your name, you get a message.
• Checking for mistakes: You can find and fix any wrong information quickly.
• Keep an eye on changes: You see if your credit score goes up or down.

For more help, you can use tools to watch your credit for you. Also, ask someone you trust to help you understand the information.

How does a password manager help keep your identity safe?

A password manager keeps track of your passwords.

Here is what it can do:

• Remembers your passwords for you.
• Makes strong passwords that are hard to guess.
• Keeps your passwords safe and locked up.

By doing this, a password manager helps stop bad people from pretending to be you.

Here are some tips to use a password manager:

• Use it to make and save all your passwords.
• Make sure your master password is strong and easy for you to remember.
• Check that the manager has a lock symbol (it means it is secure).

This makes sure your online identity stays safe and protected.

Does insurance pay if someone steals your identity?

Can You Stop Identity Theft from Happening?

No, you cannot stop identity theft completely. But you can make it harder for thieves.

Here are some tips to help:

• Keep your personal information safe. Do not share it with anyone you do not trust.
• Use strong passwords. Try to use letters, numbers, and symbols.
• Watch your bank and credit card statements. Look for charges you did not make.
• Install antivirus software on your computer.
• Be careful when using public Wi-Fi. It’s easy for others to see what you do online.

If you think someone has stolen your identity, ask for help. You can talk to a trusted adult or contact the police.

What is a credit freeze?

How long does it take to fix identity theft?

Identity theft is when someone steals your personal information to pretend to be you. Fixing it can take a long time, sometimes weeks or even months. Here are some tips to help:

• Tell your bank and credit card company. They can help protect your money.
• Contact the police to report the theft.
• Check your bank and credit card statements for any strange charges.
• Use identity theft protection services if you need extra help.

Remember, getting help from a trusted adult can make the process easier.

What is synthetic identity theft?

Synthetic identity theft is when a thief makes a fake identity using real and fake information. They might use a real person's social security number with a made-up name. This way, they make a new, fake person.

Here are some tips to stay safe:

• Check your bank statements often to spot anything strange.
• Look at your credit report to make sure everything is correct.
• Use strong and different passwords for your online accounts.
• Be careful about giving out your social security number.

If you find something wrong, tell someone you trust or get help from a bank worker or the police.

Why is my Social Security Number important for stopping identity theft?

Your Social Security Number is like a special code just for you. It's very important because:

• It helps people know who you are.
• It can keep your money and information safe.
• Thieves can't pretend to be you if they don't have your number.

Here’s how you can keep your Social Security Number safe:

• Only share it with people you trust.
• Keep it in a safe place, not in your wallet.

If you need help, you can ask a trusted friend or a family member.

Who should I tell if someone steals my identity?

What happens to your credit score if someone steals your identity?

Identity theft is when someone uses your personal information, like your name or bank details, without asking.

This can hurt your credit score. A credit score is a number that shows if you are good with money.

If someone steals your identity, they might spend your money or take loans in your name. This can make your credit score go down.

To help protect your credit score, you can use tools like credit monitoring services. These tools keep an eye on your credit score and can tell you if something strange happens.

If you think someone has stolen your identity, it's important to tell a trusted adult and get help right away.

What are identity recovery services?

Identity recovery services help people fix problems if someone steals their personal information. These services make sure no one uses your name, money, or personal details without asking.

Some tools that can help are:

• Getting alerts when someone tries to use your information.
• Talking to experts who tell you what to do next.

If you need help, ask a grown-up or a friend you trust.