AARP Hearing Center
Each year, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) leads Identity Theft Awareness Week, a national initiative held in late January on how to avoid identity theft, recover if it happens, and spot these scams before they occur.
American adults lost $47 billion to identity fraud and scams in 2024, according to an AARP-sponsored report from by Javelin Strategy & Research. The problem is huge, and our personal information can be compromised through everything from sophisticated data breaches to simple mail theft. Below are some key steps to help protect you and your loved ones.
Reduce Your Paper Trail
- Set up online access to your bank and credit card accounts and enroll in paperless billing to reduce the risk of physical theft of your personal information.
- Shred sensitive documents—such as bank statements, tax forms, and medical bills—before discarding them.
- Keep your Social Security card stored securely at home, and avoid leaving any personal information in your car, even if it’s locked.
