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You’re at high risk
We found your personal information on the dark web and on data broker sites.
Up to $3M Reimbursement for identity theft, with up to $1M for Stolen Funds†††
$10K Scam Reimbursement7
Scam Support
Credit, Checking and Savings Activity Alerts: Unlimited Accounts
Credit & Payday Loan Lock2
Credit Monitoring:
3 Bureau1
Automatic Data Broker Removal8
Dark Web Monitoring
Priority 24/7 Customer Phone Support
LifeLock Total
No one can prevent all cybercrime or prevent all identity theft.
- Price valid for introductory term. After that, your price will renew at the standard price.
- Your subscription begins immediately after your transaction is complete. A payment method is required at sign-up for trials, and you will be charged at the end of your trial, unless canceled first.
- Prices are subject to change and may be charged up to 35 days prior to renewal. Cancel here or contact Member Services.
- Restrictions apply. Automatically renewing subscription required. If you're a victim of identity theft and not satisfied with our resolution, you may receive a refund for the current term of your subscription. See lifelock.norton.com/guarantee for complete details.
††† Up to $1 million coverage for Lawyers and Experts included with all plans. Reimbursement and expense compensation vary according to plan. Insurance benefits are issued by third parties. See lifelock.norton.com/legal for policy info.
1 Bureau Monitoring and Monthly Credit Report and Score / 3 Bureau Monitoring and Monthly Credit Report and Score.
2 Credit Lock cannot prevent all account takeovers, unauthorized account openings, or credit file inquiries. Deactivates if you downgrade or cancel your subscription.
7 Scam protection coverage as part of identity theft benefits is currently available to all customers residing in the United States, including U.S. territories and the District of Columbia, with the exception of residents of New York. Gen Digital is not a licensed insurance producer. Benefits under the Master Policy are issued and covered by HSB Specialty Insurance Company. You can find further details and exclusions in the summary of benefits.
8 After setup, automatic data broker removal service scans and requests removal every 90 days.
You’re at medium risk
We found your personal information on data broker sites.
Up to $1.2M Reimbursement for identity theft, with up to $100K for Stolen Funds†††
$5K Scam Reimbursement7
Scam Support
Credit, Checking and Savings Activity Alerts:
5 Accounts
Credit & Payday Loan Lock2
Credit Monitoring:
3 Bureau1
Automatic Data Broker Removal8
Dark Web Monitoring
Priority 24/7 Customer Phone Support
LifeLock Advanced
No one can prevent all cybercrime or prevent all identity theft.
- Price valid for introductory term. After that, your price will renew at the standard price.
- Your subscription begins immediately after your transaction is complete. A payment method is required at sign-up for trials, and you will be charged at the end of your trial, unless canceled first.
- Prices are subject to change and may be charged up to 35 days prior to renewal. Cancel here or contact Member Services.
- Restrictions apply. Automatically renewing subscription required. If you're a victim of identity theft and not satisfied with our resolution, you may receive a refund for the current term of your subscription. See lifelock.norton.com/guarantee for complete details.
††† Up to $1 million coverage for Lawyers and Experts included with all plans. Reimbursement and expense compensation vary according to plan. Insurance benefits are issued by third parties. See lifelock.norton.com/legal for policy info.
1 Bureau Monitoring and Monthly Credit Report and Score / 3 Bureau Monitoring and Monthly Credit Report and Score.
2 Credit Lock cannot prevent all account takeovers, unauthorized account openings, or credit file inquiries. Deactivates if you downgrade or cancel your subscription.
7 Scam protection coverage as part of identity theft benefits is currently available to all customers residing in the United States, including U.S. territories and the District of Columbia, with the exception of residents of New York. Gen Digital is not a licensed insurance producer. Benefits under the Master Policy are issued and covered by HSB Specialty Insurance Company. You can find further details and exclusions in the summary of benefits.
8 After setup, automatic data broker removal service scans and requests removal every 90 days.
Good news!
We didn’t find your personal information across millions of records or on public data sources.
Up to $1.05M Reimbursement for identity theft, with up to $25K for Stolen Funds†††
Identity Restoration Specialists
Credit, Checking and Savings Activity Alerts:
2 Accounts
Credit & Payday Loan Lock2
Credit Monitoring:
2 Bureau1
Automatic Data Broker Removal8
Dark Web Monitoring
Breach Alerts
24/7 Customer Phone Support
Lifelock Core
No one can prevent all cybercrime or prevent all identity theft.
- Price valid for introductory term. After that, your price will renew at the standard price.
- Your subscription begins immediately after your transaction is complete. A payment method is required at sign-up for trials, and you will be charged at the end of your trial, unless canceled first.
- Prices are subject to change and may be charged up to 35 days prior to renewal. Cancel here or contact Member Services.
- Restrictions apply. Automatically renewing subscription required. If you're a victim of identity theft and not satisfied with our resolution, you may receive a refund for the current term of your subscription. See lifelock.norton.com/guarantee for complete details.
††† Up to $1 million coverage for Lawyers and Experts included with all plans. Reimbursement and expense compensation vary according to plan. Insurance benefits are issued by third parties. See lifelock.norton.com/legal for policy info.
1 Credit features require successful setup, identity verification, and sufficient credit history by the appropriate credit bureau. Credit monitoring features may take several days to activate after enrollment.
2 Identity Lock cannot prevent all account takeovers, unauthorized account openings, or credit file inquiries. Deactivates if you downgrade or cancel your subscription.
8 After setup, automatic data broker removal service scans and requests removal every 90 days.
Avoiding the trap of financial hardship loan scams
Financial hardship loan scams aim to trick vulnerable victims into sharing personal information, leaving them exposed to financial losses or account takeovers. Learn how they work and get tips to avoid them. Then, join LifeLock to help protect your personal information and detect signs of fraud or identity theft.
Times are tough, and scammers are taking advantage by offering fake financial hardship loan programs. Scammers have created entities like the Financial Hardship Department to sound legitimate, preying on people looking for debt relief. The reality is that there is not an official agency with that title that can bail you out of debt. With the credit card debt hitting a record $1.13 trillion, identity thieves are on the lookout for those who are vulnerable.
What is the Financial Hardship Department scam?
The Financial Hardship Department scam is a fraudulent scheme where scammers pose as a legitimate entity offering financial relief. They target individuals in financial distress, promising easy solutions that are too good to be true.
How the Financial Hardship Department scam works
Scammers target financially struggling individuals through robocalls, phishing, and smishing. They offer financial relief options, but their true intent is to steal personal information or gain access to your devices through malware. These fraudulent messages ask you to verify information, contain malicious links or downloads, or direct you to a spoofed homepage to capture more personal details. Offers often include pre-approved loans or no credit checks.
Phishing emails from "The Financial Hardship Department" are a red flag—they're not real. Unsolicited offers with too-good-to-be-true conditions and a sense of urgency to act are common traits of these scams. They may also ask for upfront fees to process the loan application, request wire transfers, or demand personal information. Scammers might even text you a link to download an application form.
How to Spot Financial Hardship Loan Scams
- Unsolicited offers: Emails and messages from "The Financial Hardship Department" that you didn't request.
- Too good to be true: Promises of easy money with no credit checks or upfront fees.
- Urgency: Pressure to act quickly on the offer.
- Requests for personal information: Demands for upfront fees, personal details, or wire transfers.
- Malicious links: Links to download application forms or verify information.
Tips to avoid financial hardship loan scams
- Verify the source: If you receive an unsolicited call, email, or text, do not provide any personal information immediately. Research the organization independently. Look up their official website or contact number and verify their legitimacy.
- Guard your information: Never share personal details like your Social Security number, bank account, or credit card information unless you are certain of the recipient's identity. Be cautious of callers who pressure you to make quick decisions or share information urgently.
- Use trusted resources: If you need financial assistance, seek out reputable organizations or government programs. Contact them directly using verified contact information. Utilize financial advisors or non-profit organizations that offer free or low-cost debt counseling.
- Stay informed: Keep abreast of common scams and new fraud tactics. Websites like the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) regularly update information on current scams. Subscribe to identity theft protection services like LifeLock to monitor and safeguard your personal information.
What to do if you fall for a financial hardship loan scam
- Change your passwords: Immediately update your passwords.
- Freeze your credit: Contact credit bureaus to place a freeze on your credit.
- Notify financial institutions: Inform your bank and credit card companies.
- Monitor your accounts: Regularly check for unauthorized transactions.
To boost your financial security, consider a comprehensive identity protection service like LifeLock. With advanced monitoring and expert support, LifeLock helps by alerting you of potentially suspicious activity and providing restoration support to resolve identity theft if it happens to you.
FAQs About Financial Hardship Loan Scams
What should I do with a hardship relief program scam email?
Delete it immediately and do not click any links or provide any information.
Is hardship recovery legit?
Generally, no. "Hardship recovery" offers are typically scams.
How do I know if I’m dealing with a scammer?
Look for unsolicited offers, promises that sound too good to be true, and requests for personal information.
Editors’ note: Our articles provide educational information about identity theft, scams, financial fraud, and other topics that can put your identity or personal accounts at risk. LifeLock offerings may not cover or protect against every type of crime, fraud, scam, or threat we write about. For more details about how we write, review, and update our articles, see our Editorial Policy.
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