Fraud and Identity Theft Information Center

Identity Theft

Identity theft occurs when someone uses another person’s personal information to open accounts, file taxes, make purchases, or get benefits.

Once identity thieves have your personal information, they can drain your bank account, run up charges on your credit cards, open new utility accounts, or get medical treatment on your health insurance. An identity thief can file a tax refund in your name and get your refund. In some extreme cases, a thief might even give your name to the police during an arrest.

It can happen to anyone, but there are things you can do to reduce the risk of someone using your personal information to commit this fraud.

Protect Your Identity

• Read your credit card and bank statements carefully and often

• Know your payment due dates. If a bill doesn't show up when you expect it, look into it

• Read the statements from your health insurance plan. Make sure the claims paid match the care you got

• Shred any documents with personal and financial information

• Review each of your three credit reports at least once a year. Visit annualcreditreport.com to get your free reports

Keep Your Personal Information Secure Offline

• Lock up financial documents in a safe place at home

• Limit what you carry when you go out – leave your Social Security card at home, take only the ID and cards you need

• Shred receipts, credit offers, credit applications, insurance forms, bank statements, etc

• Request a vacation hold on your mail when you are out of town

• Consider opting out of pre-screened offers of credit and insurance by mail. To opt out, call (888) 567-8688 or go to optoutprescreen.com

Keep Your Personal Information Secure Online & By Phone

• Know who you share your information with

• Be alert to impersonators – don’t give out information online or by phone unless you have initiated contact or know who you are dealing with

• Safely dispose of personal information before disposing of a computer or mobile device

• Look for the “lock” icon in internet browsers before entering your personal data

• Use strong passwords, and do not share them with others

• Consider limiting the information you share on social networking sites. These sites are a treasure trove for identity thieves looking to get your personal information

• Keep your Social Security number secure and ask questions before sharing it

Keep Your Devices Secure

• Don’t open files, click on links, or download programs sent by strangers. Opening a file from someone you don’t know could expose your system to a computer virus or spyware that captures your passwords or other information you type

• Before using a public wireless network check to see if your information will be protected. If you use an encrypted website, it protects only the information you send to and from that site. If you use a secure wireless network, all the information you send on that network is protected

• Don’t use an automatic login feature that saves your username and password for your financial accounts, and always log off when you’re finished. That way, if your laptop is stolen, it will be harder for a thief to obtain your personal information

• Read privacy policies and ensure you understand how your information will be used and whether it will be shared with third parties

For your protection, Ciera Bank will not send you an email to update or confirm your personal information by clicking a link or replying to an email.

If you gave a scammer your personal information or you would like additional information about identity theft, please visit the following websites:

Learn more about identity theft at consumer.ftc.gov/features/identity-theft

If someone has used your personal information, report the incident here: identitytheft.gov/

Fraud and Scams

WHAT TO DO IF YOU WERE SCAMMED

Find out what to do if you paid someone whom you believe is a scammer or you gave a scammer your personal information or access to your computer or phone.

HOW TO REPORT FRAUD AND SCAMS

If you gave a scammer your personal information or you have been contacted by a scammer, report the incident here: reportfraud.ftc.gov

For common questions about reporting fraud, click here: reportfraud.ftc.gov/faq

Common Types of Scams

For more information on any of the types of scams listed below, please contact us.

CHECK FRAUD SCAMS

Someone sends you a cashier’s check, money order, or other checking instrument from someone that you don’t know and are asked to wire part of the cashed amount back to the sender or to a third party. In cases where the checks are cashed, you are requested to wire the payment to the scam artist before discovering that the check is fraudulent.

INVESTMENT SCAMS

Someone offers you one of the best investment chances you’ve ever seen. Scammers trick you into putting your money in stocks, cryptocurrency, real estate, or many other things. Scammers promise big returns on your investment with little or no risk. At times, a scammer may even show you a fake statement that makes it look like your investment is doing well or even send you some money to get you to pay more.

PHISHING SCAMS

You’ll get an email or text message that looks like it is from a company (a bank or a shipping company) or the government but is actually a trick to get you to provide information about yourself. Scammers may say, for example, that they are concerned about some activity on your account or that they need to double check some information, such as your username and password, your Social Security number, or a credit card number. Scammers will use that information to take your money or open accounts or seek benefits in your name.

JOB SCAMS

You see an ad saying you can earn big money, even working from home. Another ad offers help starting an online business — with a proven system to make money. Maybe you uploaded your resume to a job search website, and someone contacts you for an interview — but first, they want your driver’s license and bank account numbers.

If you respond to these opportunities to work from home, you’ll get requests for money — for training or special access — but you’ll never get the job. If you buy the proven system, you’ll get pressure to pay more for extra services. But you won’t get anything that really helps you start a business or make money. If you give the caller your driver’s license and bank account numbers, they might steal your identity or your money.

LOVE INTEREST / ROMANCE SCAMS

Someone contacts you online, maybe through a dating website, an online game, or social media. These scammers pretend to be someone they are not so they can gain your trust and then ask you for money. The scammer will tell you they’ve fallen in love but have some reason they can’t meet in person. The scammer will start asking you to send money so they can meet you, deal with an emergency, start a business, or help you "invest", sometimes in cryptocurrency.

IMPOSTER SCAMS

Someone contacts you and pretends to be from the government (such as the Social Security Administration, IRS, or the police), or a company (such a bank or online company). Scammers will tell you there is a serious problem with your account or benefits or that you are a suspect in a crime. They may warn you that your benefits are being stopped, that you’ll be arrested, or that your money is not safe. A scammer will tell you the way to fix this problem is to pay money or move your money to a “safe” account the scammer provides you.

LOTTERY/SWEEPSTAKES SCAM

Someone contacts you and says that you’ve won a sweepstakes, lottery prize, or gift. At times, scammers will even pretend to be a government agency helping to make sure you get your winnings. But the catch is you must pay a fee to obtain your winnings, and then you never receive a prize or gift.

TECHNICAL SUPPORT SCAMS

You get a pop-up on your computer or a phone call or email saying that you have a problem with your computer. The scammers may pretend to be from a well-known company. Then, scammers will ask to “remote” into your computer, meaning they can access and control your computer. Scammers will tell you there is a problem that needs fixing immediately and tell you to pay a fee. At times, scammers will also pretend to offer you a refund. They will pretend to refund you too much money ($4500 instead of $450) and ask you to return the difference.

GRANDPARENT OR PERSON IN NEED SCAMS

You’ll get a phone call from someone pretending to be a family member, such as a grandchild, or someone calling for a family member. The scammer will say your family member is in trouble—often arrested or seriously injured—and needs money right away. Scammers often demand that you keep this phone call a secret.

FINANCIAL EXPLOITATION

Financial exploitation of older adults or adults with disabilities is the illegal use of the elder or vulnerable adult’s financial resources. This includes using an older adult's assets without informed consent, under false pretenses, or through intimidation or manipulation. It can include the loss of property, money, income, or benefits or the misuse of the vulnerable adult's identity to open credit accounts or to access existing accounts.