Identity Theft Awareness Week began on January 29, and Attorney General Todd Rokita is urging Indiana residents to be vigilant against cybercriminals and safeguard their personal information.
"We rely heavily on technology these days, and while it often makes life easier, it also puts everyday Hoosiers at greater risk," Attorney General Rokita stated. "Cyber-attacks happen far too often, and our identities are vulnerable with any online activity. The best thing Hoosiers can do is educate themselves and stay on high alert."
Identity theft is not limited to schools and businesses; it can affect anyone, including children, through data breaches, phishing scams, or hacks. The Identity Theft Resource Center reported over 353 million identity theft victims in 2023.
The Office of the Attorney General advises residents to follow several guidelines to prevent identity theft:
- Avoid conducting sensitive transactions over public Wi-Fi.
- Use unique passwords for each online account and change them frequently.
- Do not click on links in unsolicited emails or text messages.
- Be cautious about sharing personal information on social media that could help scammers guess passwords or security question answers.
- Place a security freeze on credit reports to prevent identity thieves from opening new accounts or obtaining credit under your name.
Signs of potential identity theft include unexplained bank transactions, unfamiliar charges on credit reports, medical bills for services not used, health plans denying coverage due to incorrect medical records, or IRS notifications of multiple tax returns filed under your name.
If you suspect your identity has been stolen:
- Contact the companies where fraud occurred.
- Place a security freeze and request a free credit report from Experian, Transunion, and Equifax.
Indiana residents can request a credit freeze without charge. There are no fees for placing or lifting a freeze or requesting a new password or PIN.
For assistance with identity theft issues, contact Attorney General Rokita’s office by visiting gov/attorneygeneral or calling 1-800-382-5516. Additional tips are available at identitytheft.gov from the Federal Trade Commission.
A headshot of Attorney General Rokita is available for download.