You’ve Been Hacked Red Flags

By Greg Wright

MBA, CFE, CFP®, CLU, ChFC

Certified Fraud Examiner

Certified Financial Planner™

Sometimes it takes years – yes years – to realize that you have been hacked and your identity is being used without your permission.  This is especially true with the most insidious form of ID theft: “synthetic identity theft.”  One-third of Social Security numbers are being used by more than one person. 

As you read this, your Social Security number may be used illegally by another person and you do not realize it. 

 Here is a short list of ID theft red flags:

•  No mail in your mail box for two or more regular delivery days
• ·       You are having problems with a spouse or member of your household
• ·        You are a victim of domestic violence, stalking or cyber bullying
• ·        You receive notice that you have changed your address
• ·        Someone close to you had their ID stolen
• ·        Errors on your medical “explanation of benefits” (EOBs)
• ·        A vendor you do business with has a data breach
• ·        Suspicious mail arrives for your minor child
• ·        Bogus charges on your credit card or bank statement
• ·        Errors in your credit file
• ·        You’ve been traveling – especially in another country
• ·        Collection notices arrive
• ·        Credit cards arrive that you did not order
• ·        Strange credit card statement arrives in the mail

The weakest link in your identity security is your smart phone.  Also, most businesses provide more security for their toilet paper than your personal identifiable information. 

If your group needs someone to speak about these issues and how to reduce the risk of identity theft, contact me.  

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