Identity Theft Resources & Articles

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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.

All identity theft articles

‘Tis the season of personal info protection - LifeLock

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.

Dad and his son check their fantasy football scores after taking steps to protect their personal information.

6 tips to protect against a fantasy football data breach - LifeLock

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.

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.

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.

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.

A woman uses her laptop and wonders what to do if your identity is stolen.

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.

Two friends grab coffee after learning the answer to the question, "Is identity theft protection worth it?"

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.

Little boy dressed in ghost costume holding a pumpkin-shaped Halloween candy basket.

Could the scariest Halloween mask be… You?

Enjoy this spooky season without fear of cybercriminals using your personal information as their costume.

Woman taking happily on the phone with her white dog in hand.

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?”

Young girl sits with her grandfather and discusses identity theft.

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.

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.

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

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.

How to help prevent identity theft: 16 security tips

You can help prevent identity theft by protecting your Social Security number, using banking alerts, freezing your credit, and shredding important documents.

A picture of a child entering her information on her mother’s smartphone, potentially putting her at risk of family identity theft.

Family identity theft: A protection guide for 2023

Family identity theft can do more damage than fraud from a stranger. We’ll explain the red flags and proper responses to family fraud to help stay protected.

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.

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.

Dumpster Diving

“Dumpster Diving” – literally digging through your trash – remains a popular method for stealing large amounts of your personal information.

Online identity theft: What it Is and how it happens

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.

A man used his computer to discover how to report identity theft to the FTC, police, and more

How to report identity theft to the FTC, police + more

If someone stole your identity, you're probably wondering how to report identity theft. To learn how, follow this identity theft reporting guide.

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.

Parents spend time with their children and share advice about how to better protect their online identities.

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.

Two college students focus on a school project, knowing their identities are protected.

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.

5 Ways to Help Protect Your Child from Identity Theft

Learn the five steps you can take to help protect your children from becoming victims of identity theft.

5 child identity theft facts you need to know

In this article, we’ll share some child identity theft statistics and facts, so you can stay on the alert, recognize red flags, and help keep your child’s identity safe.

What to do if you lose your passport

Learn what to do if you lose your passport, what documents you need to gather, and how to apply for a replacement in this comprehensive guide.

A woman looks at financial information on her computer while working to recover from parental identity theft.

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.

How Common Is Identity Theft? The Latest Stats

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.

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.

What is synthetic identity theft + how does it work?

Follow this comprehensive guide to learn how synthetic identity theft works, how you can spot it, and the steps you can take to help keep your identity safe.

Military identity theft: What you need to know + tips

Learn why identity thieves target service members. Find out how military members can help protect against identity theft.

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.

5 IRS scams to watch out for in tax season

Tax season brings out scammers. Here’s what you can do to help protect against tax-related scams.

What Is Shoulder Surfing?

Shoulder surfing can lead to financial wipeout—yours. What is shoulder surfing? A dangerous sport, if you’re the victim.

6 back-to-school scams and how to avoid them

Back-to-school scams vary. Here are some common back-to-school scams, how they work, and how students and parents can help avoid them.

A man couple researchers LifeLock’s Million Dollar Protection Package on his phone while sitting on a sofa.

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.

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.

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.

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.

How to protect your Social Security number: 10 SSN tips - LifeLock

Protecting your Social Security number is smart because, in the wrong hands, your SSN might lead to various types of identity theft or fraud. These tips can help.

A man researches on his laptop how to replace a lost Social Security card.

How to quickly replace a stolen or lost Social Security card

Has your social security card been lost or stolen? Get expert advice from LifeLock on how to quickly replace it.

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.

What is personally identifiable information, and why does it matter?

Your personal information is any piece of information that could be used to identify you. Identity thieves may use PII to commit fraud. Here’s what you need to know.

How to help protect yourself against identity theft — because prevention is impossible

You may have wondered how to help protect yourself from identity theft, particularly if you know others who’ve experienced it. Learn more from LifeLock.

10 warning signs of identity theft - LifeLock

Unlike with other crimes, it’s entirely possible for you to be a victim of identity theft and not even know it. Here are ten warning signs.

What Is the Dark Web and Other Deep Web Terms

Check out this expansive glossary of terms to gain a better understanding of how the dark web works.

What Is Medical Identity Theft?

Medical identity theft occurs when someone steals your personal information and uses it to obtain medical services, treatment or drugs. Learn more.

What Is Mail Theft? Why Should I Be Aware of It?

Your mail can be a valuable target for identity thieves. Learn more about mail theft, what it is, and how to help protect yourself.

What is Ghosting? One More Form of Identity Theft

Ghosting is a form of identity theft. It occurs when someone uses the personal information of a dead person, often for monetary gain. Learn more from LifeLock.

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.

What Is Child Identity Theft?

If your 3-year-old is getting pre-approved credit card offers in the mail, you both may have a problem: child identity theft. What is child identity theft?

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.

7 Ways Identity Theft Can Happen to You

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.

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.

Warning Signs That You're a Victim of Tax Refund Identity Theft

The IRS says that if you receive one of these notices, it could be the first sign that you're a victim of tax refund identity theft.

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.

7 Things to Know About Your New Medicare Card

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.

Why Teens Are at Risk for Identity Theft

Identity theft is more common among kids, teens and college students than any other age group.

Steps to Help You Recover from 5 Kinds of Identity Theft

If you are a victim of identity theft, you need to take action—and quickly. Learn some of the steps to consider as you take on the task of restoring your identity.

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.

Seniors: Victims of 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.

Seniors at Risk for ID Theft

According to the National Crime Prevention Council, senior citizens are more at risk to be targeted by telemarketing scams than other age groups.

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.

5 Reasons Why a Credit Freeze Isn’t Enough to Help Protect Against Identity Theft

Did you know a credit freeze may not prevent identity theft? Learn about the different ways your personal information can be used after a breach and what steps you can take to help prevent identity thieves from doing so.

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.

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.

Is Identity Theft Protection Worth It or Not?

It's an important question: Is identity theft protection worth it? No one can stop ID theft, but credit and identity theft monitoring services can help.

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.

Who Are the Biggest Targets for 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.

Reporting Identity Theft to Police: Steps to Take and Things to Know

If someone steals your identity, you’ll probably want to know how to report identity theft to police. You can find that information here.

3 Ways to Help Protect Against Medical ID 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.

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.

15 Facts You Have to Know About 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.

What to Do If Your Identity Is Stolen: 14 Steps

If you become a victim of identity theft, you should take immediate steps. Here’s what you need to do.

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.

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.

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.

Dropbox Not Hacked, But Your Account May Have Been Compromised

Dropbox said no breach had happened on its servers. “Your stuff is safe. The usernames and passwords…were stolen from unrelated services, not Dropbox.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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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ID Theft Resources

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