• Seton Hall University
• Division of Information Technology

Identity theft occurs when someone uses your personal information without permission to commit fraud or another crime. A thief may use information such as your Social Security number, financial account details or login credentials to access existing accounts, open new ones, file a fraudulent tax return or obtain services in your name.

How Identity Theft Happens

Personal information can be obtained in several ways, including phishing messages, stolen mail or documents, compromised accounts, card skimming and data breaches. Criminals may also impersonate trusted organizations or individuals to persuade you to disclose sensitive information.

Protect personal and financial information carefully, particularly when a request is unexpected. Do not provide passwords, account information or your Social Security number unless you have verified who is requesting it and why it is needed.

Warning Signs of Identity Theft

Unusual financial or account activity may indicate that someone is using your information. Watch for:

• Purchases or withdrawals you do not recognize.
• Bills or other expected mail that stop arriving.
• Accounts on your credit report that you did not open.
• Calls or notices about debts that are not yours.
• Medical bills for services you did not receive.
• IRS notices about a tax return you did not file or income from an unfamiliar employer.
• Review bank and credit card statements regularly. You can also check your credit reports for free at AnnualCreditReport.com.

Protect Your Identity

Take precautions to limit access to your personal information and identify suspicious activity quickly:

• Use strong, unique passwords and change credentials promptly if an account may have been compromised.
• Be cautious with unexpected emails, text messages or phone calls requesting personal information.
• Review financial statements and credit reports for unfamiliar activity.
  Secure documents containing personal or financial information and dispose of them appropriately.
• Limit when you provide your Social Security number and ask whether another form of identification can be used.
• Take advantage of legitimate credit monitoring services if an organization that experienced a data breach offers them.

What to Do if Your Identity Is Stolen

1. Act promptly if you discover fraudulent activity or believe someone is using your identity.
2. Contact the affected company or financial institution. Report the fraud and ask that compromised accounts be closed or frozen. Change affected passwords and PINs.
3. Place a fraud alert and review your credit reports. A free fraud alert makes it harder for someone to open additional accounts in your name. You may also consider placing a credit freeze.
4. Report the identity theft to the Federal Trade Commission. Visit IdentityTheft.gov to report what happened and receive a recovery plan based on your situation.
5. Keep records of the incident. Save correspondence, reports and other documentation related to the theft. Depending on the circumstances, you may also need to file a police report or contact the appropriate government agency.
6. Continue reviewing your financial accounts and credit reports for additional unauthorized activity while you work through the recovery process.

For additional information about preventing and recovering from identity theft, visit IdentityTheft.gov.