Identity theft is a serious crime. If you think you're a victim of identity theft, you should act quickly—the faster you notify the appropriate authorities, the better off you will be.

What is identity theft?

According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), "identity theft occurs when someone uses your personal information without your permission to commit fraud or other crimes."

How can identity theft happen?

Identity theft can happen whenever someone gets enough of your personal information. If you lose your wallet or purse, an untrustworthy person who finds it could use the information to order new credit cards, apply for loans, make online purchases, and commit other crimes.

Phishing scams lead to identity theft as well. A phishing email is designed to look like it was sent from a trusted company like eBay or your bank. The email uses threats or promises to lure you into going to a bogus website. Once on the site, you are often instructed to "update your user data". 

You are asked to provide all kinds of information, like your bank account numbers, credit card numbers, social security number, etc. Once you submit the web form, the phishing scammers have your personal info and they can use it to commit identity theft.

What are the signs of identity theft?

The following are a few warning signs that you may be a victim of identity theft:

• You see withdrawals from your bank account that you can’t explain.
• You don’t get your bills or other mail.
• Debt collectors call you about debts that aren’t yours.
• You find unfamiliar accounts or charges on your credit report.
• Medical providers bill you for services you didn’t use.
• The IRS notifies you that more than one tax return was filed in your name.
• You get notice that your information was compromised by a data breach.

What are the consequences of identity theft?

Once an identity thief has your personal information, he or she can use it to cause you major problems. These consequences can ruin your credit rating, drain your bank account, and cause hardship for you for years to come.

• Spending spree - The criminal may make expensive purchases that are easy to sell on the street for cash.
• New credit cards - It is easy to get new credit cards. With minimal difficulty, new credit cards can be ordered in your name.
• Use existing credit cards - If they have your credit card numbers, thieves can use them to make purchases.
• Change your address - Your billing or mailing address could be changed by the thieves to hide their activities.
• Take out loans - The identity thieves could take out loans in your name. Of course, they have no intention of ever paying the loans back.
• Service sign-up - The thieves might sign up for services, like phone or broadband service, in your name.
• Bad checks - A checking account could be opened in your name that would allow the thieves to write bad checks under your name.
• Collect fraudulent funds - The thieves may file for and collect fraudulent unemployment insurance or tax returns.

What should I do if I'm a victim of identity theft?

If you think you're a victim of identity theft, here's what you should do:

1. Put a fraud alert on your credit report by contacting one of the three consumer reporting agencies. Having a fraud alert on your credit report means you will be contacted for authorization before any new accounts can be opened in your name or any changes can be made to your existing accounts.
2. Close the account(s) you believe have been tampered with. You should cut off the identity thieves as soon as possible.
3. Contact the police and file a report. Identity theft is a serious crime, and you should contact the authorities to report the crime.
4. File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The FTC works with the police in matters of identity thefts. Filing a report with the FTC also helps the government better track and respond to identity thievery.

Some of the information above was taken from the FTC. For more information and to get help with fraud alerts and filing complaints, we strongly recommend you visit the Federal Trade Commission Identity Theft website.

What university resources are available to assist?

University Police Department

The Illinois State University Police Department have resources dedicated to University members that are impacted by identity theft at https://police.illinoisstate.edu/safety/identity/.

Human Resources

University employees can contact Human Resources for identity theft and fraud that relates to their employment at Illinois State University.

Information Technology

University members can contact the Technology Support Center (ITHelp@Ilstu.edu) or the Information Security Office (abuse@ilstu.edu) in the for assistance with their University accounts in the event that they have been taken over.

Campus Safety and Security

The website for Campus Safety and Security also offers related guidance for University members.

Read the following Cyber Security articles:

• How to Recognize Phishing Emails
• How to Avoid Phishing, Phone Scams, and Identity Theft

How to Get Help

• Technical assistance is available through the Technology Support Center at (309) 438-4357, by email at SupportCenter@IllinoisState.edu, or by Live Chat at Help.IllinoisState.edu.