Identity theft happens when someone steals your personal information to commit fraud. All individuals have one thing in common - we are all good targets for identity theft. Thieves will use your sensitive data to steal your identity and pretend to be you for many reasons. They might open new financial accounts, file taxes, make purchases, or even use your identity for more nefarious reasons. 

Preventing identity theft

There are simple tips to help prevent your identity from being stolen. Rob Bonta, Attorney General of California, recommends that you: 

  • Protect your Social Security Number (SSN)
  • Fight “phishing” – don’t take the bait
  • Practice safe password practices
  • Limit your exposure on social networking sites
  • Protect your computer and smartphones from viruses, hackers, and spies
  • Click with caution
  • Check your credit card bills and bank statements
  • Stop pre-approved credit offers
  • Check your credit reports – for free
  • Ask questions when a business or entity asks for your information

More details on these top ten tips are located at: https://oag.ca.gov/sites/all/files/agweb/pdfs/idtheft/cis_1_top_10tips_doj.pdf?

What to do if you are a victim of identity theft

Have you received notification that your personal information was involved in a data breach? Was an online account hacked? Have you ever lost or had your wallet/purse stolen? If you believe someone is using your personal information, visit the federal government's one-stop resource to help you report and recover from identity theft: https://www.identitytheft.gov/

Recently at UCSB, we have received a number of reports that folks have had fraudulent bank accounts opened up with their stolen PII (name, date of birth, SSN). These accounts were opened at various financial institutions online without indicators showing up on a credit report, which makes protecting yourself from this particular scheme somewhat difficult. Read more about what you can do if you are affected by one of these incidents here: https://www.it.ucsb.edu/news/guidance-fraudulent-bank-accounts

Identity Theft Awareness Week events

We encourage you to participate in Identity Theft Awareness Week 2023 events from Monday, January 30 to Friday, February 3. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and its partners are hosting free podcasts, webinars, Facebook Live interviews, and other events focused on avoiding and recovering from identity theft and spotting scams. We’ll have information for everyone and added advice for service members, older adults, young adults, and business owners.  

Check out the FTC calendar for details on the events listed below: https://consumer.ftc.gov/features/identity-theft-awareness-week

Monday, January 30 

  • Webinar:
    • Identity Theft Affects Every Community
  • Podcast: Identity Theft and Scams That Affect College Students
    • The Fraudian Slip Special Edition, Part 1: Identity Theft Basics
  • Facebook Live (in Spanish): 
    • Consejos para ayudarte a proteger a tu familia del robo de identidad
  • Live Webinar: 
    • Protecting Personal Information in E-Commerce

Tuesday, January 31

  • Webinar 
    • Identity Protection and Your Business
  • Facebook Live (in Spanish): 
    • Cómo detectar, prevenir, y reportar el robo de identidad
  • Podcast: Identity Theft and Scams That Affect College Students
    • The Fraudian Slip Special Edition, Part 2: Impersonator Scams
  • Live Webinar 
    • Identity Theft & Older Adults

Wednesday, February 1 

  • Podcast
    • Identity Theft Affects People Who Are Blind and Print Disabled
  • Podcast: Identity Theft and Scams That Affect College Students
    • The Fraudian Slip Special Edition, Part 3: Job Scams
  • Video (in Spanish): 
    • Juntos Contra el Robo de Identidad
  • Panel Discussion: Identity Theft Prevention
    • Protecting the Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act Benefits from Identity Theft Scammers'

Thursday, February 2

  • Podcast: Identity Theft and Scams That Affect College Students
    • The Fraudian Slip Special Edition, Part 4: Financial Aid and Student Loan Scams
  • YouTube Video: 
    • What to Know About Tax Identity Theft
  • Live Webinar:
    • Scams, Tax Related Identity Theft, and Identity Protection PINs
  • YouTube Video (in Spanish): 
    • Lo que debes saber sobre el robo de identidad relacionado a los impuestos

Friday, February 3

  • Podcast: Identity Theft and Scams That Affect College Students
    • The Fraudian Slip Special Edition, Part 5: Social Media Takeover