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Identity Theft Phishing

High Threat Level

Phishing attacks designed to steal personal information (SSN, date of birth, financial data) for identity fraud

$1,100
Average loss per identity theft victim
1.4M
Identity theft reports to FTC in 2023
6 Months
Average time to detect identity theft

What is Identity Theft Phishing?

Identity theft phishing involves emails impersonating government agencies (IRS, Social Security Administration), financial institutions, or trusted services to trick victims into revealing personal information like Social Security numbers, dates of birth, driver's license numbers, or complete financial profiles.

This information is used to open fraudulent credit accounts, file fake tax returns, obtain medical services, or sold on the dark web to other criminals.

Common Identity Theft Scenarios

IRS/Tax Scams

"Your tax return has been flagged. Verify your SSN and filing status immediately to avoid penalties."

Social Security Administration

"Your Social Security number has been suspended due to suspicious activity. Click here to verify your identity."

Healthcare/Medicare

"Update your Medicare information to continue receiving benefits. We need your SSN and date of birth."

Credit Monitoring

"We've detected unusual activity on your credit report. Verify your identity to view your free credit score."

Detection Red Flags

  • Government agencies never email requesting personal information (IRS, SSA send letters only)
  • Threats: Account suspension, legal action, arrest, benefit termination
  • Requests for full SSN, driver's license number, or mother's maiden name
  • Generic greetings instead of your name
  • Links to "verify" or "update" personal information
  • Urgent deadlines ("within 24 hours or account closed")
  • Grammar/spelling errors in official-looking communications

Prevention Strategies

Never Share via Email:

  • Social Security number
  • Driver's license or state ID number
  • Complete date of birth
  • Mother's maiden name or security question answers
  • Credit card CVV codes
  • Bank account credentials

Verify Requests Independently:

  • If email claims to be from IRS, go to irs.gov directly (don't click email links)
  • Call your bank using number on back of card, not number in email
  • Government agencies send physical letters for official business
  • Use official website/phone numbers, not contact info from suspicious email

Protect Your Information:

  • Freeze credit at all three bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion)
  • Monitor credit reports annually (annualcreditreport.com)
  • Use identity theft protection services
  • Shred documents containing personal information
  • Don't post birthdates, SSN, addresses on social media

If Your Identity is Stolen

  1. File FTC report: Visit identitytheft.gov to create recovery plan
  2. Place fraud alerts: Call one credit bureau to place 1-year fraud alert
  3. Request credit reports: Review for fraudulent accounts
  4. Report to police: File identity theft report
  5. Close fraudulent accounts: Contact companies where fraud occurred
  6. Change compromised credentials: Passwords, PINs, security questions
  7. Monitor accounts: Check bank/credit statements regularly for 12+ months

Verify Government/Financial Emails

Use HeaderScope to analyze suspicious emails claiming to be from IRS, SSA, banks, or credit agencies. Verify sender authentication and origin before clicking any links or providing information.

Analyze Email Headers →