Question: How can I tell if my identity has been stolen?

Answer: Fortunately, there are clear signs of identity theft, depending on how thieves use your stolen information. The FTC shared these scenarios to help consumers:

An identity thief could use your information to get credit or service in your name.

• How to spot it: Get your free credit report at AnnualCreditReport.com. Review it for accounts you didn’t open or inquiries you don’t recognize. A new credit card, a personal loan, or a car loan will appear as a new account. A new cell phone plan or utility service — like water, gas, or electric — will show up as an inquiry.

An identity thief could use your credit card or take money out of your bank account.

• How to spot it: Check your credit card or bank statement when you get it. Look for purchases or withdrawals you didn’t make.
• Bonus advice: Sign up to get text or email alerts from your credit card or bank whenever there’s a new transaction. This could help you spot unauthorized or fraudulent activity on your account.

An identity thief could steal your tax refund or use your Social Security number to work.

• How to spot it: A notice from the IRS that there’s more than one tax return filed in your name could be a sign of tax identity theft. So could a notice that you have income from an employer you don’t work for.

An identity thief could use your health insurance to get medical care.

• How to spot it: Review your medical bills and Explanation of Benefits statements for services you didn’t get. They could be a sign of medical identity theft.

An identity thief could use your information to file a claim for unemployment benefits.

• How to spot it: A notice from your state unemployment office or employer about unemployment benefits that you didn’t apply for could be a sign of fraud.

If you discover any signs that someone is misusing your personal information, find out what to do at IdentityTheft.gov.

Question: QR codes are everywhere. What security steps should I take before scanning?

Answer: QR codes have become more common during the pandemic, as coronavirus concerns triggered a demand for touchless transactions. For example, your server at a restaurant may ask you to scan a QR code instead of handing you a menu. Or you may see QR codes on product packaging at retail stores.

While many QR codes are trustworthy, fraudulent ones are out there. Scammers can use QR codes for malware and phishing attacks or to try and steal financial information. Just as you should never click on suspicious hyperlinks or download fishy email attachments — especially anything sent by strangers — you should avoid suspicious QR codes.

Take these precautions:

• Use QR scanners that display site URLs. Most third-party QR scanners directly display the website after scanning the code, which can be dangerous if the link is malicious. It’s best to use built-in QR scanners that come within smartphone cameras. These scanners display the site URL before opening it, allowing you to close the link before it opens if it seems suspicious.
  
  
• Regularly update your device’s security. Installing and regularly updating your device’s security software patches can help maintain security. It’s also important to use robust anti-malware software.
  
  
• Remain vigilant. If you see a QR code in a public place, such as on a poster in a mall, closely inspect it to see if it’s a sticker placed over the original QR code.

Finally, if you find a malicious QR code, tell the owner or manager of the business where you discovered it.

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The news is filled with images of long lines at in-person COVID-19 testing sites and reports of limited supplies of at-home test kits. It’s not surprising that fake and unauthorized at-home testing kits are popping up online as opportunistic scammers take advantage of the spike in demand.

Using these fake products isn’t just a waste of money. It increases your risk of unknowingly spreading COVID-19 or not getting the appropriate treatment.

The Federal Trade Commission offers this advice if you’re shopping online for COVID-19 test kits and related items:

• Make sure the test you’re buying is authorized by the FDA. Check the FDA’s lists of antigen diagnostic tests and molecular diagnostic tests before you buy to find the tests authorized for home use. (EUA is “emergency use authorization.”)
  
  
• Check out a seller before you buy, especially if you’re buying from a site you don’t know. Search online for the website, company, or seller’s name plus words like “scam,” “complaint,” or “review.”
  
  
• Compare online reviews from a wide variety of websites. You can get a good idea about a company, product, or service from reading user reviews on various retail or shopping comparison sites. Think about the source of the review. Ask yourself: Where is this review coming from? Is it from an expert organization or individual customers?
  
  
• Pay by credit card. If you’re charged for an order you never got, or for a product that’s not as advertised, contact your credit card company and dispute the charge.

Learn more about other scams related to COVID-19 at this link.

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