Despite our vigilance, identity theft continues to rise, sometimes affecting the very people we hold dear. Our friends at Aura want to share some concerning identity theft trends that could impact your family—and most importantly, how you can shield your loved ones from harm.
Last year alone, the FTC received a staggering 6.5 million consumer reports, with identity theft accounting for about 1.1 million of these cases. These aren’t just statistics—they represent real families facing real distress. Here are some ways your family might be vulnerable:
Financial identity theft and fraud: Those convincing phone calls, tech support offers and authentic-looking emails can trick even the most careful among us into sharing personal information or approving transactions we shouldn’t.
Family-based identity theft: Sometimes, the threat comes from those closest to us. A spouse, relative or friend might use your personal details without permission—whether by accident or intentionally—putting your entire family at risk.
Estate identity theft: When we lose someone we love, the last thing we want to worry about is someone stealing their identity. Yet thieves target the deceased to claim benefits or transfer property, often going undetected for years while families are grieving.
Child identity theft: Children are especially vulnerable because of their pristine credit histories and Social Security numbers that rarely get monitored. A child’s stolen identity might be used for years before anyone notices—often when they’re older and applying for their first loan or credit card.
Medical identity theft: Someone using your personal information could receive medical care under your name, illegally obtain prescription medications, or drain your health insurance benefits, potentially affecting your family’s access to healthcare.
To keep your family safe:
- Make reviewing bank statements and credit reports part of your monthly routine, like checking in on your loved ones. Set up alerts so you’ll know immediately if something seems off.
- Treat important documents like treasured family heirlooms—keep Social Security cards, passports, and birth certificates securely stored. When disposing of papers with personal information, shred them as carefully as you would guard a family secret.
- Create strong, unique passwords for all accounts—think of them as special keys to your family’s digital home. A password manager can help you keep track of them all with ease.
- Consider freezing your child’s credit as you would protect them from any other harm. Do the same for elderly parents or grandparents who might not be able to monitor their own accounts.
- Have heart-to-heart conversations with family members about online safety. Teach them to recognize phishing attempts and the importance of protecting personal information, just as you would teach them about stranger danger.
- Look into services like Aura that stand guard over your family’s digital life, monitor credit, send real-time alerts and offer support if identity theft strikes your household.
Aura works tirelessly to help protect your online accounts and keep your transactions secure whether you’re banking, shopping, or paying bills. Aura’s regular price starts at $24/month but plans for Consumer Cellular customers start at $9/month, with annual savings up to 75% off when you sign up today. Give your family this gift of protection by calling Aura at (877) 338-0352.