Identity Theft

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The following is summarized from the U.S. Federal Trade Commission Identity Theft website, identitytheft.gov.

WHAT IS IDENTITY THEFT?

Identity theft occurs when someone appropriates your name, social security number, credit card numbers, or other bits of personal information without your knowledge to commit fraud or other crimes.

HOW TO MINIMIZE THE RISK OF IDENTITY THEFT

The Federal Trade Commission recommends the following steps to minimize the risk of identity theft.

HOW TO DETECT ACTIVITIES THAT MIGHT BE ATTEMPTS TO STEAL YOUR IDENTITY

NOTE: Starting Sept. 21, 2018, free credit freezes and year-long fraud alerts are available due to a new federal law.

For additional information, visit the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Blog at: https://www.consumerfinance.gov/about-us/blog/free-credit-freezes-are-here/

HOW TO REPORT IDENTITY THEFT

If you suspect that your personal information has been used to commit fraud, the FTC recommends that you take immediate action and keep a record of your conversations and correspondence. The FTC further suggests that the following actions are appropriate in almost every case.

TO FIND PROVIDERS IN CONNECTICUT’S COMMUNITY RESOURCES DATABASE
Search by service names:
Identity Theft Reporting/Recovery Programs

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SOURCE: Federal Trade Commission Identity Theft website; Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Blog
PREPARED BY: 211/jm
CONTENT LAST REVIEWED: July2023