Have you or someone ever had your identity stolen? Identity theft is when someone uses your Social Security number or some other information to open accounts, purchase items, or even receive a tax refund all with your name. As of 2018, there were around 14.4 million people who suffered from identity theft. Every year it continues to get worse and worse. It is ruining families every day.

Identity theft mostly always have a huge impact on finances but they can also have a negative toll on emotions as well. There are four different ways that someone can be affected:

  • Socially
  • Emotionally
  • Physically
  • Financially

Financial effects can takes weeks, months, or years to fix. You could have to close all bank accounts that were hacked and open new ones. Trying to rebuild your credit score. Emotional effect is something that can have a huge damage on not only you but your family. You will find yourself to be angry, shocked, or depressed all at once. Social effect is something that can affect your social media accounts. They can get your email, passwords, or anything to your social media accounts and take those from you also.

There are many different ways that you’re able to protect yourself or solve the problem once it happens when it comes to identity theft. If you have been affected with identity theft you must place an alert with the National Credit Reporting Agency. Watch your computer and see if any viruses have taken over your computer. You must file a police report. Also keeping a record of all of your financial actions. You must do the following to help yourself to hopefully solve and get out of this situation.

There are many different ways that you’re able to protect yourself or solve the problem once it happens when it comes to identity theft. If you have been affected with identity theft you must place an alert with the National Credit Reporting Agency. Watch your computer and see if any viruses have taken over your computer. You must file a police report. Also keeping a record of all of your financial actions. You must do the following to help yourself to hopefully solve and get out of this situation.

Identity theft is and always will be a problem with our world today. How are you protecting yourself from identity theft and what can you do to help others from identity theft. If you need help or believe you are a victim of identity theft you can go to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) online at IdenttityTheft.gov or call them at 1-877-438-4338. Thank you, please like, comment, share, and subscribe.