FTC warns consumers on identity theft risks
CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) – The Federal Trade Commission is educating consumers on how to protect themselves from identity theft.
This can happen to anyone at any time, especially now as tax season gets underway and the risk factor goes up.
The Federal Trade Commission is hosting webinars to raise awareness during Identity Theft Awareness Week. And with the rise in cyber crimes and data breaches—resulting in Americans losing billions of dollars each year–the agency says protecting yourself has never been more critical.
Terri Miller with the FTC tells 22News, 'The data breaches are happening and they can come from all kinds of places, the programs kids are using a school or our credit card companies.'
The term identity theft is pretty self-explanatory but it is when someone uses your personal or financial information without your permission, like your credit card or social security number—and they can use that information to make purchases, steal your tax refund, get medical care or even pretend to be you if they're arrested.
There are signs that someone has stolen your identity, including if you:
stop receiving bills in the mail—which means someone has changed your billing address
if you are being charged for things you didn't buy
and even seeing withdrawals from your bank account statement that you didn't make
'So if it was your social security number, the advice is more geared towards checking your credit—freezing your credit—so that no one can access your credit history, and your credit report,' Miller adds.
The FTC says you can protect yourself by:
Keeping your personal and financial records in a safe place and shred them before throwing them away
Knowing that organizations like the IRS, your bank, or your employer, won't call, email or text you for your social security number
By making a strong password for your online accounts with a two-factor authentication–also being wary of links sent to you
Getting an identity pin to prevent someone from filing a tax return by using your social security number
Utilizing identity monitoring services
If you think you may be a victim of identity theft…make sure to report to the Federal Trade Commission online at IdentityTheft.gov or by calling 1-877-438-4338.
WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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