What Is Identity Theft?
Identity theft occurs when someone unlawfully obtains your personal or financial information–such as your name, Social Security number, bank account details, or passwords–to commit fraud. Cybercriminals and thieves use this stolen data to make unauthorized purchases, open new credit cards or loans in your name, access your existing bank accounts, or even file fraudulent tax returns, often leaving you to deal with the resulting financial damage and damage to your credit score.
Quick Tips for Fraud & Identity Theft Prevention
Secure Your Digital Identity
Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
Add an extra layer of security to your banking, email, and social media accounts by requiring a code using an MFA app or a biometric scan (like a fingerprint or facial recognition) in addition to your password.
Add an extra layer of security to your banking, email, and social media accounts by requiring a code using an MFA app or a biometric scan (like a fingerprint or facial recognition) in addition to your password.
Use Strong, Unique Passwords
Avoid using easily guessable information (like birthdays or pets' names). Use a trusted password manager to generate and store complex passwords for each of your online accounts.
Avoid using easily guessable information (like birthdays or pets' names). Use a trusted password manager to generate and store complex passwords for each of your online accounts.
Keep Devices Updated And Secure
Regularly update the software, operating systems, and antivirus programs on your computer, smartphone, and tablet to protect against the latest security vulnerabilities. Implement a PIN code or biometric security to safeguard your devices as well.
Regularly update the software, operating systems, and antivirus programs on your computer, smartphone, and tablet to protect against the latest security vulnerabilities. Implement a PIN code or biometric security to safeguard your devices as well.
Avoid Public Wi-Fi for Banking
Never log into your bank accounts or enter sensitive information while connected to unsecured public Wi-Fi. Use a secure, private connection or a Virtual Private Network (VPN).
Never log into your bank accounts or enter sensitive information while connected to unsecured public Wi-Fi. Use a secure, private connection or a Virtual Private Network (VPN).
Protect Your Personal & Financial Information
Set Up Account Alerts
Utilize digital banking features to set up text or email alerts for unusual activity, large transactions, or low balances so you can catch unauthorized charges immediately. With Groton Bank Online, you can set these alerts up in multiple ways:
Utilize digital banking features to set up text or email alerts for unusual activity, large transactions, or low balances so you can catch unauthorized charges immediately. With Groton Bank Online, you can set these alerts up in multiple ways:
- Settings > User alerts
- After selecting an individual account:
- Alert preferences
- Card management > Select card > Alerts and protections
Beware of Phishing, Smishing, and Vishing
Never give out personal or financial information over the phone, via text message, or through email unless you initiated the contact. Scammers often pose as bank representatives or government agencies.
Never give out personal or financial information over the phone, via text message, or through email unless you initiated the contact. Scammers often pose as bank representatives or government agencies.
Guard Your Social Security Number
Keep your physical Social Security card in a secure place at home. Only provide your SSN when absolutely necessary, and always ask why it is needed and how it will be protected.
Keep your physical Social Security card in a secure place at home. Only provide your SSN when absolutely necessary, and always ask why it is needed and how it will be protected.
Be Mindful on Social Media
Avoid oversharing personal details online, such as your hometown, graduation year, or mother’s maiden name, as these are frequently used for account security questions.
Avoid oversharing personal details online, such as your hometown, graduation year, or mother’s maiden name, as these are frequently used for account security questions.
Ask About Information Security Procedures In Your Workplace
Find out who has access to your personal information and verify that your records are kept in a secure location. Ask about disposal procedures as well.
Find out who has access to your personal information and verify that your records are kept in a secure location. Ask about disposal procedures as well.
Safeguard Your Physical Documents
Shred Sensitive Mail
Guard your trash by shredding bank statements, credit card offers, expired cards, and any documents containing personal information before throwing them away.
Guard your trash by shredding bank statements, credit card offers, expired cards, and any documents containing personal information before throwing them away.
Secure Your Mailbox
Collect your mail promptly every day. If you haven't received an expected bill, contact the company immediately–a missing bill could indicate an identity thief has diverted your mail.
Collect your mail promptly every day. If you haven't received an expected bill, contact the company immediately–a missing bill could indicate an identity thief has diverted your mail.
Lock Up Documents and Belongings at Home and Work
Keep sensitive personal and financial documents in a safe or locked filing cabinet, especially if you have roommates, contractors, or outside help in your home. Also, keep your wallet or purse in a safe place at work.
Keep sensitive personal and financial documents in a safe or locked filing cabinet, especially if you have roommates, contractors, or outside help in your home. Also, keep your wallet or purse in a safe place at work.
Monitor Your Credit Regularly
Check Your Credit Reports
Order free copies of your credit report annually from Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion at AnnualCreditReport.com. Review them carefully for unauthorized accounts or inquiries.
Order free copies of your credit report annually from Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion at AnnualCreditReport.com. Review them carefully for unauthorized accounts or inquiries.
Consider a Credit Freeze
If you suspect your information has been compromised–or simply as a proactive measure–place a freeze on your credit reports to prevent thieves from opening new accounts in your name. You will need to place these at all three bureaus individually.
If you suspect your information has been compromised–or simply as a proactive measure–place a freeze on your credit reports to prevent thieves from opening new accounts in your name. You will need to place these at all three bureaus individually.
Watch Your Statements
Routinely review your bank and credit card statements (or monitor them weekly via the mobile app). Report any unauthorized or suspicious transactions to your financial institution immediately.
Routinely review your bank and credit card statements (or monitor them weekly via the mobile app). Report any unauthorized or suspicious transactions to your financial institution immediately.
Reduce Unwanted Solicitations
Opt-Out of Junk Mail and Calls
Register your phone number on the National Do Not Call Registry (donotcall.gov) and opt-out of pre-screened credit card offers by visiting OptOutPrescreen.com to minimize the ways scammers can reach you.
Register your phone number on the National Do Not Call Registry (donotcall.gov) and opt-out of pre-screened credit card offers by visiting OptOutPrescreen.com to minimize the ways scammers can reach you.
How to Tell if You Are a Victim of Identity Theft
Identity thieves work quickly, and catching them early is the best way to minimize the damage. Monitor your accounts closely and watch for these modern and traditional warning signs:
Digital & Account Red Flags
Unexpected Login Alerts
You receive notifications that your account was accessed from an unrecognized device, location, or IP address. You can set up login alerts on Groton Bank Online by going to settings > user alerts > login from new device.
Unsolicited Verification Codes
You receive Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) text messages, emails, or password reset links that you did not request.
Mysterious Small Charges
You notice unfamiliar, small-dollar transactions on your bank or credit card statements. Thieves often process "test charges" of a few cents or dollars before making large fraudulent purchases.
Locked Out of Your Own Accounts
Your login credentials no longer work for your digital banking, email, or other critical online accounts because a thief has changed the passwords. You can set up a user for Groton Bank Online account password changes by going to settings > user alerts > password change.
Financial & Credit Warning Signs
Unfamiliar Accounts on Your Credit Report
You spot credit cards, personal loans, or auto loans on your credit report that you did not open.
Sudden Drop in Credit Score
Your credit score takes a sudden, unexplained dive, or you are denied credit for no apparent reason despite having a strong financial history.
Receiving Unrequested Credit Cards
New credit or debit cards arrive in your mailbox for accounts you never applied for.
Calls from Debt Collectors
You are contacted by collection agencies regarding unpaid bills or defaulted loans for services or merchandise you never purchased.
Mail & Government Indicators
Missing Bills or Statements
You stop receiving your regular mail, utility bills, or bank statements. This often signals that an identity thief has submitted a change-of-address request to divert your sensitive information.
Tax Return Rejections
The IRS notifies you that more than one tax return was filed in your name, or that you have income from an employer you don't work for.
Unexpected Medical Bills
You receive bills for medical services you didn't receive, or your health plan rejects your legitimate medical claim because your benefit limits have been reached.
Information provided by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency and the Federal Trade Commission:
Fraud Prevention Links