What would you say the fastest growing crime in the United States is today? If identity theft came to mind, you're exactly right.
Statistics by the Federal Trade Commission show that a significant portion of identity theft cases involve the internet and telecommunications.
While you might think identity theft scams are easy to spot and avoid, criminals work to make emails, phone calls, and websites look legitimate.
Most email and telephone identity theft scams ask you to provide your Social Security number, credit card information, or bank account details. Business owners can read The Rise of Identity Theft and Internet Safety for Businesses for guidance on protecting commercial networks and customer data.
Of course, there are innumerable scams circulating the country. The following are a few of the most commonly seen:
Moving Money Scams / Nigerian Money Offers. These long-running scams ask for help moving money out of another country and promise a large reward. The request is often wrapped in a heartbreaking story or a humanitarian excuse, and scammers collect upfront fees or account access information.
Phisher / Account Verification Scams. Scammers buy domain names that closely resemble real businesses and send mass emails asking recipients to verify purchases or account details. These messages often threaten account closure to pressure you into providing login credentials or payment information.
Get Your Free Credit Report Scams. Offers for a "free" credit report can hide fees or be designed to collect your Social Security number and other sensitive data.
You've Won a Free Gift Scam. Calls or emails claiming you won a prize often ask for your credit card to cover "shipping and handling." Once scammers have your card number they can make unauthorized charges.
You've Won the Canadian or Netherlands Lottery Scams. Scammers tell victims they won a foreign lottery and must pay fees to collect the prize. Remember that you must have entered a lottery to win it.
Questionnaires. Friendly surveys may request personal information or collect details that help guess passwords, such as birthdays, family names, or favorite things. Delete unsolicited questionnaires and do not respond.
IRS Audit Scams. Emails claiming you must complete an "e-audit" and provide financial details are fraudulent; tax authorities do not conduct audits by unsolicited email.
Resume Scams. Scammers post fake job ads to collect resumes that include birthdates or Social Security numbers. Avoid placing sensitive personal information on a resume; legitimate employers request it later in the hiring process.
To reduce risk, do not respond to suspicious requests — even a message asking you to "remove me" can confirm your address is active. For practical network and communications safety tips, see The Importance of High-Speed Internet and Online Safety for Businesses.
If you're unsure whether a request is legitimate, talk to an agent.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I recognize a phishing email?
Look for unexpected requests for personal information, misspellings, mismatched sender addresses, and urgent threats; when in doubt, contact the company using a known phone number or website.
What should I do if I suspect my identity was stolen?
Stop responding to suspicious communications, secure affected accounts, change passwords, and report the theft to the appropriate authorities and your financial institutions.
Are free credit report offers always scams?
Not always, but many solicitations hide fees or seek sensitive information; use official, well-known channels to request your credit report.
How can I protect personal information on job postings or resumes?
Limit resume content to work history and relevant skills; do not include Social Security numbers, birthdates, or financial details until a legitimate employer requests them in a secure process.