Identity Theft

Tax Identity Theft Awareness Week is coming

January 27, 2020
By Seena Gressin
Attorney, Division of Consumer & Business Education, FTC

During Tax Identity Theft Awareness Week, learn how to reduce your chance of tax identity
theft, the red flag warning signs of IRS impostors, and what to do if fraud happens to you.

What is tax identity theft? It happens when someone uses your Social Security Number (SSN)
to file a phony tax return and collect your refund. You may not find out it has happened until
you try to file your real tax return and the IRS rejects it as a duplicate filing.

Learn More

As an important reminder, First Financial will never request your Social Security information
over the phone or via email. If you’re ever unsure about a First Financial communication, get in
touch with us immediately using well-known contact information.

Tips to Avoid Identity Theft

Identity theft is a costly crime in which someone uses your personal information (such as your name or Social Security number) in an effort to steal money from your existing accounts, open fraudulent accounts in your name or obtain a loan using your credit history.

• Consistently monitor all accounts and statements
• Review your credit report at least once a year
• Destroy any documents that contain your personal information
• Never carry your Social Security card in your wallet or use your Social Security number on checks, driver's licenses or membership cards
• Immediately report lost or stolen credit cards, checks or other personal information
• Make sure you receive your mail in a secured mailbox
• Read more about protecting yourself from identity theft in the Federal Trade Commission's (FTC) overview

What to Do if You Are Victimized

• Contact any one of the three major credit bureaus and ask them to place a 90-day fraud/security alert on your account. This requires companies to contact you for verification prior to extending credit on your account. Placing an alert with any of the credit bureaus will automatically create an alert at all three bureaus, and each will send you a free copy of your credit report within 7-10 days.
  • Experian: (888) 397-3742 or www.experian.com
  • Equifax: (800) 525-6285 or www.equifax.com
  • TransUnion: (800) 680-7289 or www.transunion.com
• Contact all of your financial institutions and creditors to make them aware of the situation. Close any accounts that have been tampered with or were opened fraudulently.
• Call your local police or sheriff’s department and file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at www.consumer.gov/idtheft or (877) ID-THEFT.
• Follow the helpful advice in our Identity Crisis Action Plan