How Much Do You Know About Identity Theft?

Identity theft affects millions of people every year, and statistics show no signs of it slowing down anytime soon. Thieves can strike from anywhere—over the internet, next to you on line at the bank, or even from within your own family. Once someone gets ahold of your personal information—like a credit card or social security number—they can cause a lot of havoc and time-consuming headaches. But how much do you really know about identity theft? Take our quiz to find out.

Sources: USA Today; Insurance Information Institute; Bureau of Justice Statistics

1 of 9

How many Americans were victim of identity fraud in 2016?

15.4 million.

7.8 million.

11.4 million.

2 of 9

Approximately how often are people a victim of identity fraud in the United States?

Every two seconds.

Every 30 seconds.

Every minute.

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How much money did Americans lose to identity fraud in 2016?

$5 billion.

$10 billion.

$16 billion.

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If you want a card with stronger fraud protection, you should shop with your:

Credit card.

Debit card.

5 of 9

Social Security numbers are extremely sensitive and valued by identity thieves. Speaking of which, where should your social security card be stored?

In my wallet. It’s too valuable a document not to have on me at all times.

In a safe in my house or safety deposit box at a bank.

I haven’t seen my social security card in years.

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Before shopping on a new website, you should:

Check for an SSL certificate.

Read the site’s privacy statement.

Look for a physical mailing address on the site.

All of the above.

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What federal agency should you contact if your identity is stolen?

FBI (Federal Bureau of Intelligence)

FTC (Federal Trade Commission)

FDIC (Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation)

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What’s the best way to dispose of personal documents and financial paperwork you get through the mail?

Return them to the post office so they can safely dispose of it.

Recycle all the papers and envelopes.

Shred everything before throwing it away.

9 of 9

How often can you request a free credit report?

Once a month.

Once a year.

Every five years.

YOUR RESULTS

7-9 Correct: The threat of identity theft will always be there, but with your knowledge on the subject, you’ll stand a better chance against it than many others. Be sure to stick to your security routine and monitor the news to keep tabs on any major data breaches that could lead to your identity being compromised.

4-6 Correct: You’ve got a decent handle on identity theft, but there’ still plenty to learn. Remember to order your yearly free credit report to keep an eye on anyone attempting to open accounts in your name. It can also help to subscribe to a credit monitoring service that can provide extra security for your financials.

0-3 Correct: There’s a lot you need to learn about identity theft. Read some articles, pay attention to the news, and make sure all your online accounts are secured. And don’t just throw away your bank statements and personal mail; shred all of it. Dumpster divers are some of the most prolific identity thieves around.