ID Theft Resources

Your identity is worth a lot to you — and to identity thieves. That’s why identity thieves prey on your personal information to commit crimes and make money. Learn how to help protect against ID theft or recover from it, whether you’re at home or on the road.

Trending identity theft articles
Is identity theft protection worth it in 2024, really?
No one can stop identity theft, but identity theft protection services can help. Read our guide to learn why the best identity theft protection services are worth getting.
October 19, 2023 ·7 min read
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How common is identity theft in 2024? 24 identity theft statistics
Find out how common identity theft is, areas and ages affected most by identity theft, and other identity theft statistics.
April 08, 2024 ·6 min read
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How to prevent identity theft: 19 security tips
Learn how to prevent identity theft and protect your personally identifiable information with these security tips.
April 03, 2024 ·12 min read
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How to recover from identity theft in 11 steps
Are you a victim of identity theft? Our guide walks through each step of identity theft recovery and offers prevention tips for the future.
February 13, 2024 ·7 min read
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All identity theft articles
How to report identity theft to the police and FTC
If you’re wondering how to report identity theft to the police, follow along with our step-by-step guide.
December 06, 2024 ·8 min read
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Is identity theft protection worth it in 2024, really?
No one can stop identity theft, but identity theft protection services can help. Read our guide to learn why the best identity theft protection services are worth getting.
October 19, 2023 ·7 min read
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The growing threat of identity theft and what can you do about it
Gen Threat Labs’ recent report has revealed a sharp rise in cyberattacks aimed at stealing personal information.
September 04, 2024 ·4 min read
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What to do if your identity is stolen: 12-step guide
Follow this 12-step guide to learn exactly what to do if your identity is stolen, from contacting relevant companies to placing a freeze on your credit report.
October 16, 2023 ·10 minutes
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10 steps to take if your wallet is lost or stolen
What should you do if your wallet is lost or stolen? Take these steps to minimize damage and prevent financial or identity fraud.
May 26, 2023 ·3 Minutes
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Credit monitoring vs. identity theft protection: What’s the difference?
Do you know the difference between ID theft protection & credit monitoring? Find out now and learn more about which one may be best for you.
March 11, 2024
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What is data privacy and why is it important?
Data privacy is as important for private individuals as it is for companies. Learn how to keep your personal information safe online.
May 26, 2023 ·3 Minutes
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What happens if you lose your Social Security card?
If you lose your Social Security card, helping to protect yourself against identity theft matters most. Find out how to replace your lost or stolen SSN card here.
July 13, 2023
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What is identity theft insurance + is it worth it?
Learn about identity theft insurance, what it usually covers, how it works, and where to get it, so you can decide if it's worth buying.
October 06, 2023 ·11 Minutes
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What is medical identity theft? + Prevention tips for 2024
Medical identity theft occurs when someone steals and uses personal medical information to file false claims. Learn how to protect your medical identity today.
September 07, 2023 ·7 min read
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Account takeover attacks (ATO) and prevention tips
Account takeovers happen when hackers strongarm their way into accounts to steal money, information, or services.
February 19, 2024 ·9 min read
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Tax scams: 15 IRS scams and how to avoid them
Our beginner-friendly guide breaks down 15 of the most common tax scams and tips on how to avoid them.
April 02, 2024 ·15 min read
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How common is identity theft in 2024? 24 identity theft statistics
Find out how common identity theft is, areas and ages affected most by identity theft, and other identity theft statistics.
April 08, 2024 ·6 min read
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Child identity theft: How to protect your child
A child’s safety is a parent’s top concern. But what about their identity? Read this guide to learn how to keep your child's identity safer.
May 03, 2024 ·8 min read
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Victims of identity theft: Who is targeted and why?
Discover who the most common victims of identity theft are, why they’re targeted, and how you can protect yourself.
May 17, 2024 ·7 min read
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How to Replace a Social Security Card in 3 Steps
Need to get a new Social Security card? Learn how to replace your Social Security card in 3 steps, whether online, in person, or via mail.
June 26, 2024 ·6 min read
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12 Ways Identity Theft Can Happen to You
Learn the ways someone can steal your identity through phishing, data theft, and more. And find out what to do about it.
July 31, 2024 ·12 min read
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What to do if you lose your passport
Learn what to do if you lose your passport. Read our guide to learn what documents you need to gather and how to apply for a replacement.
August 20, 2024 ·7 min read
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Family identity theft: A protection guide for 2025
Family identity theft can often do more damage than fraud from a stranger. Stay protected by learning about family fraud and signs of family identity theft.
September 09, 2024 ·8 min read
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How to recover from identity theft in 11 steps
Are you a victim of identity theft? Our guide walks through each step of identity theft recovery and offers prevention tips for the future.
February 13, 2024 ·7 min read
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How to check if someone is using my identity
Learn how to check if someone is using your identity and the steps to take to protect yourself from identity theft by reading this guide.
November 06, 2023 ·12 min read
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What is data privacy? The complete guide
Data privacy is the practice of safeguarding your data. Learn about what data privacy is and why privacy is important for everyone.
September 20, 2024 ·10 min read
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How to prevent identity theft: 19 security tips
Learn how to prevent identity theft and protect your personally identifiable information with these security tips.
April 03, 2024 ·12 min read
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How to lock your Social Security number
Learn how to lock your SSN, when to lock or unlock it, and what to do if your SSN is compromised—all in our guide.
July 30, 2024 ·11 min read
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What to do if someone has your Social Security number
Learn what to do if someone has your Social Security number, including how to report fraud and how to secure your identity.
September 19, 2024 ·14 min read
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What is personally identifiable information (PII)?
Learn what personally identifiable information (PII) is, why it’s important, and how to protect yours in our guide.
September 09, 2024 ·5 min read
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What is synthetic identity theft and how does it work?
Learn how to stop fraudsters from using your personal information for synthetic identity theft.
November 28, 2024 ·6 min read
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Military identity theft and how to protect our service members
Can military identity theft happen to you? Learn how to protect against it with these warning signs and steps to take if you're a victim.
November 14, 2024 ·3 min read
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How to keep your information safe from data-stealing malware
Here’s what you need to know about it and how you can help protect your data from cybercriminals.
November 19, 2024 ·5 min read
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Veteran scams and how to protect yourself
Are you a veteran at risk of scams? Discover common types of veteran scams and learn how to protect yourself.
November 08, 2024 ·4 min
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What to do if someone has your Social Security number
Learn what to do if someone has your Social Security number, including how to report fraud and how to secure your identity.
September 19, 2024 ·14 min read
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5 Ways Hackers Can Steal Your Identity
Stay informed about the latest identity theft news and stories about what law enforcement and elected officials are doing to protect consumers from becoming victims.
October 12, 2016 ·3 Minutes
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Why Teens Are at Risk for Identity Theft
Identity theft is more common among kids, teens and college students than any other age group.
July 22, 2014 ·3 Minutes
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What Is Criminal Identity Theft?
Stay informed about the latest identity theft news and stories about what law enforcement and elected officials are doing to protect consumers from becoming victims.
August 25, 2017 ·3 Minutes
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Avoid identity theft traps in the utility bill setup process
Identity thieves will continue to use utility setup scams to steal. Protecting your personal and financial information is paramount.
August 31, 2023 ·3 min read
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4 Lasting Effects of Identity Theft
The impact of identity theft can last for months or years. In this article, we’ll discuss the 4 different ways victims can be affected by identity theft.
February 04, 2021 ·3 Minutes
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5 Kinds of ID Theft Using a Social Security Number
It is important to know what criminals can do with your social security number so you know how to recognize red flags. Learn more from LifeLock.
November 30, 2017 ·3 Minutes
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Dumpster Diving
“Dumpster Diving” – literally digging through your trash – remains a popular method for stealing large amounts of your personal information.
February 04, 2021 ·3 Minutes
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Can Your Identity Be Stolen With Only a Name and Address?
Stay informed about the latest identity theft news and stories about what law enforcement and elected officials are doing to protect consumers from becoming victims.
November 28, 2017 ·3 Minutes
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LifeLock’s Million Dollar Protection™ Package: What is it and what does it cover?
Everything you need to know about LifeLock's Million Dollar Protection™ Package, including what it covers and how it can help protect you and your family from the fallout from identity theft.
February 23, 2023
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If You’re Recovering From Parental Identity Theft, Read This First
Child identity theft is leaving many young adults with crippled finances. Restoring your identity can take time, but recovery is possible.
August 07, 2023
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Online safety advice parents should share with their kids
So you’ve got a young person ready to go out into the world? Don’t miss these tips you can pass on to help them stay cybersafe.
August 17, 2023 ·5 min read
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How one woman found herself in debt she didn’t create
Learn how one woman became a victim of identity theft. Understand the practical steps for safeguarding your personal information.
July 10, 2024 ·2 min 31 seconds
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15 types of identity theft plus examples
Learn about 15 of the most common types of identity theft, how to detect them, and tips for defending yourself.
October 22, 2024 ·11 min read
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Carding: What is it and how can you avoid it?
Carding is a type of fraud in which a thief steals credit card numbers and uses them to buy prepaid gift cards.
March 06, 2020 ·3 Minutes
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Identity Theft vs. Identity Fraud - What's the Difference?
Learn about the difference between identity theft and identity fraud. Be prepared and find out how you can help protect yourself with LifeLock.
May 30, 2018 ·3 Minutes
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How to Report Identity Theft to the Credit Bureaus
Identity theft affects millions of Americans every year. Learn how to notify the credit reporting agencies of identity theft and what to expect once you do.
January 02, 2018 ·3 Minutes
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How long does it take to recover from identity theft?
How long it takes to recover from identity theft depends on how much damage criminals cause, how many accounts they’ve hacked, and how many illegal purchases they’ve made.
September 02, 2022 ·3 Minutes
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How a Silent Phone Call Could Lead to Identity Theft
Stay informed about the latest identity theft news and stories about what law enforcement and elected officials are doing to protect consumers from becoming victims.
September 01, 2015 ·3 Minutes
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Debit vs. Credit Card ID Theft
Most credit card companies allow 90 days for a victim to report an unauthorized transaction, while banks generally require a two-day notice for unauthorized debit card purchases.
October 31, 2013 ·3 Minutes
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Child Identity Theft by a Parent: What You Need to Know
Stay informed about the latest identity theft news and stories about what law enforcement and elected officials are doing to protect consumers from becoming victims.
December 14, 2017 ·3 Minutes
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Check-date fraud: Date your checks “2020” — here’s why
If you don’t date your checks by using the full four-digit year in 2020, you could increase your chance of becoming a victim of check fraud.
January 10, 2020 ·3 Minutes
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Q&A: Is It safe to sign in with Google or Facebook?
Should you use social logins such as Facebook to sign into your accounts? For privacy and security reasons, it's probably best to stick with a good old-fashioned email or username and password.
September 02, 2022
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Starting college? Don’t major in identity theft
Ready to earn your minor in online safety? Here’s our study guide for avoiding identity theft while in college.
August 25, 2023 ·3 min read
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About the time I got on the phone with a scammer
Phone scams are more sophisticated than ever, a lesson I learned best when I found myself on the phone with a scammer
September 25, 2023 ·3 min read
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Six things someone could learn about you from your wallet
You’ve lost your wallet. How worried should you be? Maybe quite a bit. It all depends on what’s inside it.
September 27, 2023
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Ghost stories: Identity theft of people who have passed away
The last thing you want to think about during your time of grief is fraud. Learn how to protect your loved one’s name and legacy.
October 13, 2023
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Could the scariest Halloween mask be… You?
Enjoy this spooky season without fear of cybercriminals using your personal information as their costume.
October 27, 2023 ·4 min read
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Four words that may get you scammed
You never really know who or what is on the other side of that call. Make sure you know what to do when asked, “can you hear me?”
October 31, 2023 ·5 min read
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Navigating the dangers of online gaming
As gifting season draws closer, new games and consoles might appear under the tree. Familiarize yourself with the dangers of online gaming to help everyone stay safe while they play.
November 03, 2023 ·7 min read
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6 tips to protect against a fantasy football data breach
Fantasy sports aren’t immune from data breaches. But you can take steps to protect your information if your league is hit by a breach.
November 17, 2023 ·3 min read
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‘Tis the season of personal info protection
The holiday season is a time of joy and sharing. We gather with our loved ones to exchange gifts, swap stories, and break bread. However, as we embrace the spirit of giving, there's one aspect of our lives that we must cling to: our identity.
November 30, 2023 ·6 min read
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Cracking the code: How scammers piece together your identity in the digital age
What are the unintended consequences of shared data? See how seemingly anonymized information can be deciphered by digital detectives on the wrong side of the law.
December 14, 2023 ·5 min read
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Carders and cashers are tag-teaming to steal your identity. Don’t let them
When your credit card numbers are being traded on the dark web, ignorance is not bliss. Learn about carders, cashers, and your identity.
December 19, 2023 ·5 min read
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The dangers of fake tax preparer scams
This tax season, watch out for scams where fraudsters posing as professional tax preparers and steal personal and financial information.
February 20, 2024 ·3 min read
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W-2 Phishing Scam: What It Is and How To Help Protect Against It
Get advice from LifeLock about W-2 phishing scams and how to help protect against them. Learn steps you can take to help avoid hackers getting your personal information through a W-2 phishing scheme.
March 06, 2024 ·3 Minutes
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That misdelivered email or letter could come back to bite you
Misdelivered mail or email can be the result of an innocent mistake. But before you trash it, shred it, or return to sender, take a closer look. It could be a sign that you’re being scammed or targeted for identity theft.
January 11, 2024 ·6 min read
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Stop leaving your personal information lying around in public
Using digital devices for work and play can leave parts of our identity out for the taking in public. Here are some new habits to help keep your personal information safe in public.
March 27, 2024 ·3 min
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A Day in the Life of a Restoration Specialist
Learn about prevention tips and LifeLock's 100% guarantee.
June 17, 2024 ·2 min 31 seconds
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Just married? A guide to changing your name safely
How to unravel the safe steps to change your name seamlessly and be aware of the pitfalls on the road to your wedding day.
June 19, 2024 ·5 min read
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Your personal information is in more places than you think
Explore where your personal information is stored and learn how to protect it.
July 12, 2024 ·3 min 8 seconds
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Spot passport scams before it’s too late
Learn how to identify and avoid passport scams to keep them from derailing your vacation plans.
July 26, 2024 ·2 min 43 seconds
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Get schooled: 8 ways to avoid college student identity theft
College student identity is more common than you think. Learn the warning signs and how to avoid falling victim to identity theft with our comprehensive guide.
July 28, 2024 ·3 min 43 seconds
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Avoiding the trap of financial hardship loan scams
Discover how to protect yourself from financial hardship loan scams.
August 13, 2024 ·2 min 43 seconds
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Is Your Small Business a Big Target for Identity Thieves?
As a small business owner, you may think identity thieves wouldn’t be interested because you’re not a giant corporation with a lot of money and information.
February 04, 2021 ·3 Minutes
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How to Remove Personal Information From the Internet
If you’re ready to help protect your identity, here’s how to remove personal information from the internet.
October 10, 2019 ·3 Minutes
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What can someone do with your social security number?
What can someone do with your social security number? Learn what can be done with your SSN and how to protect yourself from identity theft.
October 11, 2024 ·2 min 43 seconds
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The identity theft credit repair process + tips to lower your risk
Learn strategies for identity theft credit repair to safeguard your financial well-being. Discover steps to fix your credit after identity fraud.
October 04, 2024 ·15 min read
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Interested in learning more?
Identity Theft Recovery
If someone steals your identity, you could face costs and hassles. Find out what to do to help restore your personal and financial life, and your good name.
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Fraud
Identity thieves can profit from your personal information by committing identity fraud in your name. Learn how to spot and help protect against identity theft.
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Internet Security
You want your online activity to have protection. That goes for shopping, banking, and having fun. Learn more about internet security from LifeLock.
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Data Breaches
If your information is exposed, a data breach can lead to identity theft. Learn what to do if you’re affected by a data breach.
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LifeLock Blog Home
Read our expert tips and advice to help protect yourself from identity theft. Learn about data breaches, fraud, credit, and internet security from the pros at LifeLock by Norton.
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Disclaimer: The content on this site is meant to provide general educational information to consumers. The topics covered in particular articles do not necessarily reflect whether a certain type of crime, fraud, or threat may be covered by the Norton and/or LifeLock offerings. Remember that no one can prevent all identity theft or cybercrime, and that LifeLock does not monitor all transactions at all businesses. Please review complete Terms during enrollment or setup.

 

 

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