Alarming Study Shows that Some Banks Don’t Do Enough to Safeguard Your Information

In the wake of a hacking attack that exposed some of the personal and financial information for hundreds of thousands of customers at the one of the largest lenders in the U.S., a new study shows that many institutions don’t do enough to protect borrowers from fraudulent credit card debt.

The study, conducted by Javelin Strategy and Research, found that while many lenders do a good job of resolving fraud once it takes place, many still trail in terms of preventing it from taking place. Fraud on credit card accounts currently totals about $37 billion a year.

Another major concern for consumers in data breaches is whether their Social Security number is exposed. Armed with that data, a thief would have a far easier time opening bogus accounts in their name.

Here are ten things the IRS wants you to know about identity theft so you can avoid becoming the victim of a scam artist.

1. Identity thieves get your personal information by many different means, including stealing a wallet or purse or accessing information you provide to an unsecured Internet site. They even look for personal information in your trash. They also pose as someone who needs information through a phone call or e-mail.
2. The IRS does not initiate contact with a taxpayer by e-mail.
3. If you receive an e-mail scam, forward it to the IRS at [email protected].
4. If you receive a letter from the IRS leading you to believe your identity has been stolen, respond immediately to the name, address, or phone number on the IRS notice.
5. Your identity may be stolen if a letter from the IRS indicates more than one tax return was filed for you or the letter states you received wages from an employer you don’t know.
6. If your Social Security number is stolen, it may be used by another individual to get a job. That person’s employer would report income earned to the IRS using your Social Security number, making it appear that you did not report all of your income on your tax return.
7. If your tax records are not currently affected by identity theft, but you believe you may be at risk due to a lost wallet, questionable credit card activity, or changes to your credit report, you need to provide the IRS with proof of your identity. You should submit a copy of your valid government-issued identification – such as a Social Security card, driver’s license, or passport – along with a copy of a police report and/or a completed Form 14039, IRS Identity Theft Affidavit.
8. Show your Social Security card to your employer when you start a job or to your financial institution for tax-reporting purposes. Do not routinely carry your card or other documents that display your SSN.
9. If you have previously been in contact with the IRS and have not achieved a resolution, please contact the IRS Identity Protection Specialized Unit, 1-800-908-4490.
10. For more information about identity theft – including information about how to report identity theft, phishing, and related fraudulent activity – visit the IRS Identity Theft Resource Page, which you can find by typing “identity theft” in the search box on the IRS.gov home page.