
You can also request an IP PIN at any time. Once it’s confirmed that you’re a victim, you’ll be issued an IP PIN each year that will be used to verify your identity on all future returns.

To limit credit fraud, you can place a fraud alert on your credit reports and/or freeze your credit.įor tax identity theft, you’ll want to notify the IRS that you may be a victim of identity theft. Once you become aware that identity thieves have your information, it’s important to act quickly to minimize your financial losses. Or they may receive a letter from the IRS informing them about a suspicious return that’s been filed in their name. Often, victims first become aware that their identities have been stolen because they receive a statement in the mail from a financial account that they don’t recognize. Open a new bank account which will then be used to commit other forms of fraud.Whether in the physical or digital world, any place or item that contains information about you could be a potential target for identity thieves.įinancial identity theft is any scheme that involves using a fake identity to steal money. But dedicated thieves could also steal your personal information from financial documents in your mailbox or even from a receipt that you tossed in the trash. These are just a few of the ways that identity theft can happen. Once inside, the thief can then install malware or spyware to monitor the victim’s activity and steal sensitive information.


This information is then used to carry out fraudulent activities, such as applying for loans or credit cards in the victim’s name. Data breaches: Data breaches occur when cybercriminals gain access to a company’s database containing personal information such as names, addresses, Social Security numbers and credit card details.

Here are some most common causes of identity theft: Identity theft can happen in a variety of ways, but all involve the use of your personal information to commit fraud.
