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Identity Theft: Overview

Credit Card

What to do when your identity has been stolen

The federal government agency that is most involved with combatting identity theft is the Federal Trade Commission. The Commission has established a toll-free telephone number, 1-877-ID THEFT (438-4338), that consumers can call to report identity theft. Consumers who call the hotline receive telephone counseling from specially trained personnel to help them resolve credit-related problems that may have resulted from the misuse of their identities. The resources linked below can also help one gain a clearer understanding of the issues.

How to Avoid Credit Card Fraud

Placing a Fraud Alert at the Credit Bureaus

Books about Identity Theft

What to do when your email account has been hacked

While not as serious as ID theft, it is annoying to have one's email account taken over by another person using it to send spam to people whose email addresses are in your contacts list. The following articles provide an overview of why and how email accounts get hacked and what to do if happens to you.

If a hacker breaks into your account--likely using a "dictionary" or "brute force" attack--he will no doubt change your password and security questions. What this shows us is the importance of having strong passwords. Microsoft offers tips on how to create and test passwords.

For those interested in a more robust approach, password generators and password managers are a better option. However, realistically, many people will find this approach too cumbersome.

Other Common Fraud Issues

Protect Yourself from Identity Theft and Fraud