Fraud Center

People’s identities are commonly stolen when personal information is given to illegitimate sources, through data breaches involving vendors or service providers, or by oversharing information on social media. Identity theft can also occur when access is granted to a computer or cellphone—no legitimate vendor should ever need to remotely access your device. Always contact service providers using trusted phone numbers you already have on record, and be cautious when searching online by checking for https, correct spelling, and a padlock symbol in your browser’s address bar. In some cases, identity theft may involve people you know, such as family or friends, or skimming devices placed on unattended terminals like self-checkouts or gas pumps.

Never trust unsolicited calls, texts, or emails that demand payment, especially those creating urgency, threatening arrest, or requesting gift cards or wire transfers. If you receive a suspicious message claiming to be from a government agency, hang up or delete it and contact the agency directly using a trusted phone number. Avoid paying upfront for online deals before seeing an item in person, and be cautious of “too good to be true” investment offers, prize winnings, or romance-related requests for money. Talk to older relatives, as seniors are often targeted, and make sure they know not to share personal information or send money under pressure. If you believe you’ve been targeted, report it as soon as possible to your financial institution, local law enforcement, or the Federal Trade Commission.

From a financial perspective, parents should regularly monitor their children’s online activity, set parental controls on devices connected to debit or credit cards, review the apps and websites being used, and closely monitor card activity for any suspicious transactions.

Monitor your accounts daily and sign up for text and card alerts through your online or mobile banking provider. Only respond yes or no to card fraud alerts—if you receive a call, hang up and call the number on the back of your card. If you receive statements in the mail, contact the sender if a statement is missing or not received, and sign up for electronic statements when possible.