Kansas led the country in per-capita reports of identity theft, with 1, reports for every , residents. When metro areas across the U. In fifth place was Tuscaloosa, Alabama, with 1, identity theft reports for every , residents. Florida ranked third in the U.
When metro areas were analyzed, half of those in the top 10 were in the retiree-rich Sunshine State. Here's the list including cases of fraud and other reports for every , people:. FTC officials pointed to a surge in complaints about online shopping during the early days of COVID that led related problems to become the second most common fraud complaint last year after impostor scams.
These problems included undisclosed costs; late deliveries or nondeliveries; and refusals to honor guarantees. The third most common fraud complaints involved internet services stemming from issues with websites offering content for a fee or sites advertising products or services.
Frauds involving supposed prizes, sweepstakes and lotteries were in fourth place; frauds related to telephone and mobile services were in fifth place.
Join today and get instant access to discounts, programs, services, and the information you need to benefit every area of your life.
The data book also features a state-by-state guide to reports of fraud, identity theft and other consumer complaints showing overall fraud losses and state rankings. Previously she was a reporter with the Chicago Tribune, U. You are leaving AARP. Please return to AARP. You'll start receiving the latest news, benefits, events, and programs related to AARP's mission to empower people to choose how they live as they age.
These services also might be offered by your. Credit monitoring services scan activity that shows up on your credit reports. They might monitor activity at one, two, or all three of the major credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Companies that offer identity monitoring services check databases that collect different types of information to see if they contain new or inaccurate information about you.
Those could be a sign that someone is using your personal information. Most identity monitoring services will not alert you if someone uses your information to. Companies that sell credit and identity monitoring services also may offer identity recovery services to help you fix any damage caused by identity theft.
These services may be included or cost extra. Some of the services they offer may be things you can do on your own for little or no cost. Identity recovery services typically give you access to counselors or case managers who will help you recover your identity. They may. Unemployment Identity Theft - Report unemployment benefits identity theft to your state's labor department.
Credit Reporting Agencies - Contact one of the three major credit reporting agencies to place fraud alerts or freezes on your accounts. Also get copies of your credit reports, to be sure that no one has already tried to get unauthorized credit accounts with your personal information. Confirm that the credit reporting agency will alert the other two credit reporting agencies. National Long-Term Care Ombudsman Resource Center - Report cases of identity theft due to a stay in a nursing home or long-term care facility.
Financial Institutions - Contact the fraud department at your bank, credit card issuers and any other places where you have accounts. Retailers and Other Companies - Report the crime to companies where the identity thief opened credit accounts or even applied for jobs. State Attorney General Offices - Your state's attorney general might offer tips, checklists, or an advocate to help you recover from identity theft. Are identity protection services worth the cost?
What about credit freezes? The site provides victims with a personal recovery plan, walking through each step to take. It also provides pre-filed letters and forms to send to credit bureaus, businesses, and debt collectors. Many companies keep sensitive information about customers or employees in their files or on their network. The FTC has free data security resources — including free publications, videos, and tutorials — to help businesses of any size protect their customers and meet their legal obligations.
0コメント