85% of Americans
took steps to prevent identity theft, such as
shredding documents, checking
their credit reports and changing
their passwords.
BEWARE OF ATM SKIMMING
If you use an ATM or other card reader, you may become
a victim of identity theft and not realize it until you look at
your account statement. Thieves have been using counterfeit
card readers in tandem with hidden cameras to steal the
information on ATM cards for several years. Once you slide
your card into the reader and punch in your PIN, the thief
has enough information to make another card. Incidents
were up 546% in 2015, with more than 60% of incidents
occurring at non-bank ATMs. While more financial institutions are incorporating EMV chips into their debit and ATM cards,
which make it more diffcult to counterfeit a card, not all of
them have converted yet. Reduce your risk by avoiding
non-bank ATMs and monitoring your accounts for
unauthorized activity.
MEDICAL IDENTITY THEFT IS ON THE RISE
More than two million Americans are victims of medical identity theft each year. This type of theft costs the average victim $22,346.3 Thieves steal a person’s name and social security number or Medicare number to receive medical care, drugs or to submit false Medicare claims. Unfortunately, a victim may not realize it’s happened until they get a bill for a medical service they didn’t receive or collection notices for bills they know nothing about.
