Accessibility Resource Center Skip to main content
Personal Business
Stores
Espa�ol
Verizon Logo
Shop
Shop
  • Shop all
    Shop all
  • Devices
    Devices
    • Smartphones
      Smartphones
    • 5G phones
      5G phones
    • Prepaid phones
      Prepaid phones
    • Other phones
      Other phones
      • Shop all other phones
      • Basic phones
      • Certified pre-owned
      • Unlocked phones
    • Trade in your phone
      Trade in your phone
    • Bring your own device
      Bring your own device
    • Tablets & laptops
      Tablets & laptops
    • Watches
      Watches
    • Jetpacks & hotspots
      Jetpacks & hotspots
    • Featured
      Featured
      • Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max
      • Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G
      • Google Pixel 5
      • 5G nationwide
  • Accessories
    Accessories
    • Accessories overview
      Accessories overview
    • Shop all accessories
      Shop all accessories
    • Cases & protection
      Cases & protection
    • Power
      Power
    • Headphones & speakers
      Headphones & speakers
    • Wearable tech
      Wearable tech
    • Smart home
      Smart home
    • Work from home
      Work from home
    • Deals
      Deals
  • Plans
    Plans
    • Shop all plans
      Shop all plans
    • Unlimited
      Unlimited
    • Shared data
      Shared data
    • Prepaid
      Prepaid
    • Connected devices
      Connected devices
    • Those who serve
      Those who serve
      • Those who serve overview
      • Teacher plans
      • Nurses plans
      • First responders
      • Military plans
    • Kids plans
      Kids plans
    • Student plans
      Student plans
    • Other plans
      Other plans
      • International services
      • Connected car plans
      • Employee discounts
    • Bring your own device
      Bring your own device
  • Home
    Home
    • Shop all home solutions
      Shop all home solutions
    • Fios Home Internet
      Fios Home Internet
    • 5G Home Internet
      5G Home Internet
    • LTE Home Internet
      LTE Home Internet
    • Fios TV
      Fios TV
    • Moving
      Moving
    • Accessories
      Accessories
      • Accessories overview
      • Shop all accessories
      • Cables & connectors
      • Networking & Wi-Fi
      • TV accessories
      • Phone equipment
  • Entertainment
    Entertainment
    • Shop all entertainment
      Shop all entertainment
    • Disney
      Disney
    • discovery+
      discovery+
    • Apple Music
      Apple Music
    • YouTube TV
      YouTube TV
    • Gaming
      Gaming
  • Deals
    Deals
    • Shop all deals
      Shop all deals
    • My offers
      My offers
    • Phones
      Phones
    • Fios Home Internet
      Fios Home Internet
    • 5G Home Internet
      5G Home Internet
    • Mobile + Home
      Mobile + Home
    • Bring your own device
      Bring your own device
    • Accessories
      Accessories
 
Why Verizon
Why Verizon
  • Why Verizon overview
    Why Verizon overview
  • Network
    Network
    • 5G overview
      5G overview
    • Wireless coverage map
      Wireless coverage map
    • 5G Labs
      5G Labs
    • Network awards
      Network awards
    • Fios
      Fios
    • Global coverage
      Global coverage
  • Get more
    Get more
    • Devices & plans
      Devices & plans
    • Mobile + Home
      Mobile + Home
    • Entertainment
      Entertainment
    • Verizon Up
      Verizon Up
    • Verizon Visa� Card
      Verizon Visa� Card
    • Device protection
      Device protection
    • Verizon Cloud
      Verizon Cloud
    • Health discounts
      Health discounts
  • Social impact
    Social impact
    • Responsibility
      Responsibility
    • Privacy
      Privacy
 
Support
Support
  • Support overview
    Support overview
  • Mobile
    Mobile
    • Mobile support overview
      Mobile support overview
    • Billing & payments
      Billing & payments
    • Account management
      Account management
    • Device support & setup
      Device support & setup
    • Services & apps
      Services & apps
    • International trip planner
      International trip planner
    • Order status
      Order status
    • Download My Verizon App
      Download My Verizon App
  • Home
    Home
    • Home support overview
      Home support overview
    • Billing & account management
      Billing & account management
    • Fios Internet
      Fios Internet
    • Fios TV
      Fios TV
    • Home Phone
      Home Phone
    • 5G Home Internet
      5G Home Internet
    • LTE Home Internet
      LTE Home Internet
    • Order status
      Order status
    • Download My Fios App
      Download My Fios App
  • Contact us
    Contact us
  • Sign in
    Sign in
 
Sign in Sign in
  • My Account
  • My Account
  • Register
  • Prepaid instant pay
  • Wishlist
  • Business Sign In

  • Quick links
  • COVID-19 FAQs
  • Find open stores near you
  • Shop deals
  • Jetpacks & hotspots
  • Plans
  • Trade in
  • Upgrade
  • Fios
  • Quick links
  • COVID-19 FAQs
  • Find open stores near you
  • Shop deals
  • Jetpacks & hotspots
  • Plans
  • Trade in
  • Upgrade
  • Fios
  • Featured devices
  • Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max
  • Apple iPhone 12
  • Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G
  • Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G
  • LG WING
  • Google Pixel 5
  • Motorola one 5G UW

Choose your cart

Mobile solutions
Home solutions
Verizon Logo
Sign in Sign in
  • My Account
  • My Account
  • Register
  • Prepaid instant pay
  • Wishlist
  • Business Sign In

  • Quick links
  • COVID-19 FAQs
  • Find open stores near you
  • Shop deals
  • Jetpacks & hotspots
  • Plans
  • Trade in
  • Upgrade
  • Fios
  • Quick links
  • COVID-19 FAQs
  • Find open stores near you
  • Shop deals
  • Jetpacks & hotspots
  • Plans
  • Trade in
  • Upgrade
  • Fios
  • Featured devices
  • Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max
  • Apple iPhone 12
  • Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G
  • Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G
  • LG WING
  • Google Pixel 5
  • Motorola one 5G UW

Choose your cart

Mobile solutions
Home solutions
Personal
Shop
  • Shop all
    Shop all
  • Devices Devices
    Devices
    • Smartphones
      Smartphones
    • 5G phones
      5G phones
    • Prepaid phones
      Prepaid phones
    • Other phones Other phones
      Other phones
      • Shop all other phones
      • Basic phones
      • Certified pre-owned
      • Unlocked phones
    • Trade in your phone
      Trade in your phone
    • Bring your own device
      Bring your own device
    • Tablets & laptops
      Tablets & laptops
    • Watches
      Watches
    • Jetpacks & hotspots
      Jetpacks & hotspots
    • Featured Featured
      Featured
      • Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max
      • Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G
      • Google Pixel 5
      • 5G nationwide
  • Accessories Accessories
    Accessories
    • Accessories overview
      Accessories overview
    • Shop all accessories
      Shop all accessories
    • Cases & protection
      Cases & protection
    • Power
      Power
    • Headphones & speakers
      Headphones & speakers
    • Wearable tech
      Wearable tech
    • Smart home
      Smart home
    • Work from home
      Work from home
    • Deals
      Deals
  • Plans Plans
    Plans
    • Shop all plans
      Shop all plans
    • Unlimited
      Unlimited
    • Shared data
      Shared data
    • Prepaid
      Prepaid
    • Connected devices
      Connected devices
    • Those who serve Those who serve
      Those who serve
      • Those who serve overview
      • Teacher plans
      • Nurses plans
      • First responders
      • Military plans
    • Kids plans
      Kids plans
    • Student plans
      Student plans
    • Other plans Other plans
      Other plans
      • International services
      • Connected car plans
      • Employee discounts
    • Bring your own device
      Bring your own device
  • Home Home
    Home
    • Shop all home solutions
      Shop all home solutions
    • Fios Home Internet
      Fios Home Internet
    • 5G Home Internet
      5G Home Internet
    • LTE Home Internet
      LTE Home Internet
    • Fios TV
      Fios TV
    • Moving
      Moving
    • Accessories Accessories
      Accessories
      • Accessories overview
      • Shop all accessories
      • Cables & connectors
      • Networking & Wi-Fi
      • TV accessories
      • Phone equipment
  • Entertainment Entertainment
    Entertainment
    • Shop all entertainment
      Shop all entertainment
    • Disney
      Disney
    • discovery+
      discovery+
    • Apple Music
      Apple Music
    • YouTube TV
      YouTube TV
    • Gaming
      Gaming
  • Deals Deals
    Deals
    • Shop all deals
      Shop all deals
    • My offers
      My offers
    • Phones
      Phones
    • Fios Home Internet
      Fios Home Internet
    • 5G Home Internet
      5G Home Internet
    • Mobile + Home
      Mobile + Home
    • Bring your own device
      Bring your own device
    • Accessories
      Accessories
 
Why Verizon
  • Why Verizon overview
    Why Verizon overview
  • Network Network
    Network
    • 5G overview
      5G overview
    • Wireless coverage map
      Wireless coverage map
    • 5G Labs
      5G Labs
    • Network awards
      Network awards
    • Fios
      Fios
    • Global coverage
      Global coverage
  • Get more Get more
    Get more
    • Devices & plans
      Devices & plans
    • Mobile + Home
      Mobile + Home
    • Entertainment
      Entertainment
    • Verizon Up
      Verizon Up
    • Verizon Visa� Card
      Verizon Visa� Card
    • Device protection
      Device protection
    • Verizon Cloud
      Verizon Cloud
    • Health discounts
      Health discounts
  • Social impact Social impact
    Social impact
    • Responsibility
      Responsibility
    • Privacy
      Privacy
 
Support
  • Support overview
    Support overview
  • Mobile Mobile
    Mobile
    • Mobile support overview
      Mobile support overview
    • Billing & payments
      Billing & payments
    • Account management
      Account management
    • Device support & setup
      Device support & setup
    • Services & apps
      Services & apps
    • International trip planner
      International trip planner
    • Order status
      Order status
    • Download My Verizon App
      Download My Verizon App
  • Home Home
    Home
    • Home support overview
      Home support overview
    • Billing & account management
      Billing & account management
    • Fios Internet
      Fios Internet
    • Fios TV
      Fios TV
    • Home Phone
      Home Phone
    • 5G Home Internet
      5G Home Internet
    • LTE Home Internet
      LTE Home Internet
    • Order status
      Order status
    • Download My Fios App
      Download My Fios App
  • Contact us
    Contact us
  • Sign in
    Sign in
 
Stores
Espa�ol
Business

Digital Security & Tech Hub

Open the Modal
 

The most common types of identity theft

 
Open the Modal
 

Stay in the know to better protect your important personal data.

Facebook LinkedIn Twitter

Open the Modal
 

If you’ve ever gotten a call from your credit card company checking on potentially fraudulent charges, you may think hackers are primarily focused on plastic.

However, while most data breaches expose credit card numbers, there are several other ways thieves are able to steal your personal information, including accessing business accounts and medical records, and obtaining your Social Security number.

In 2018, the number of exposed consumer records that contained personally identifiable information jumped to 446.5 million from 197.6 million in 2017, according to the Identity Theft Resource Center.

The good news: By knowing the different types of identity theft, you can better protect yourself and your important personal data.

Account Takeover

This is the most common type of identity theft, in which a thief uses a stolen account number to initiate a “takeover” of your account.

  • If it’s a credit card, all that’s missing is your zip code or verification code to make fraudulent purchases online.

  • For a bank transfer, any other personal data they have (e.g., your birthdate) can lead a bank to believe it’s you.

New Account Fraud

In this case, identity thieves use your Social Security information to open new accounts, including lines of credit, loans—even utilities.

  • Unlike credit card fraud, it’s harder to immediately determine if you’re a victim of new account fraud because you are unlikely to be notified or receive statements.

  • The effects are longer-term. Your credit score may be affected, and your legitimate credit or loan applications may be denied.

The best way to protect yourself is by regularly monitoring your credit reports.

Tax ID Theft

Here, an identity thief will use your Social Security number to falsely file your income taxes with the goal of receiving a refund. The most threatening types of tax fraud include:

  • IRS impersonation telephone scams, in which a thief poses as an IRS representative asking for some kind of payment; be aware that the IRS will never contact you by phone, and communications from them will always start in the mail.

  • Email, phishing, and malware scams, where thieves will send an email posing as the IRS to try and trick you into replying with personal information; these emails may also contain malware viruses.

Avoid the possibility of tax fraud by filing your taxes as early as possible—if you get a notification that your return has already been filed, chances are your identity has been stolen.

To further protect yourself against all types of identity theft, the IRS recommends you:

  • be on alert for phishing emails, threatening calls, and texts from thieves masquerading as your bank, credit card company, or the IRS.

  • use the IRS Form 14039 if you've been the victim of identity theft, or if your Social Security number is compromised

  • alert the IRS if you’ve been hacked, explaining in detail which accounts have been compromised so they can look out for potential tax ID theft

Medical ID Theft

While less common, this occurs when someone steals your Medicare ID or accesses your health insurance member number. They then use your account to see doctors—or to submit fake bills to your health insurer.

You’ll know if you’re a victim if you receive medical bills or insurance claims for doctor visits or procedures you didn’t have. Stay protected by:

  • keeping your personal information safe and sharing it only with reputable companies.

  • regularly checking your medical bills and statements.

  • promptly reporting suspicious charges or fraud.

Social ID Theft

Chances are you’ve had a friend warn you on Facebook to not accept a new friend request from them. This is likely because someone has used their name and photos to create a fake social media account.

Why do this? By posting as you, thieves can trick your friends and family into divulging your sensitive personal information, which they can then use to commit other types of fraud.

You can lower your risk by:

  • getting in the habit of never disclosing sensitive personal information online.

  • reminding friends and family of the potential for social ID theft.

Though thieves are always looking for new ways to take advantage of your online information, there are also many ways to avoid and protect yourself from identity theft. Knowing the kinds of threats that are out there is a great start.

Open the Modal
 
 
Open the Modal
 

Enjoy peace of mind
with TechSure Plus.

Whether you're online shopping, signing up for new online services or just maintaining your connected devices, keep your digital life running smoothly and help keep your personal information protected with TechSure Plus.

Get protected
  • 24/7 tech support to help you select, set-up and troubleshoot devices, perform PC clean-ups, and remove malware, viruses and spyware

  • Protection from costly in-home service visits to repair and replace damaged wires, outlets and jacks

  • Help from identity theft protection with dark web monitoring, SSN and credit alerts, lost wallet protection and more

  • Device security and privacy protection by helping to secure your home's firewall and block hackers from accessing your home network

Open the Modal
 

Related articles

Suspect Identity Theft? Here’s What to Do Next


It's a startling statistic.

In 2018, 14.4 million people were affected...

Read more

5 Ways to Protect Yourself Against Identity Theft


If you've ever had your personal information—like your name, birthdate, or Social Security number—stolen...

Read more
Open the Modal
 
Open the Modal
 

Learn how TechSure can protect you

Open the Modal
 

†Payment plans and prices for Multi Room DVR Enhanced and Premium Service vary based on number of connected TVs — up to 10. Fios TV One and Fios TV One mini beginning at $19.98.mo. Enhanced Service is $20/mo and Premium Service is $30/mo. Recorded content stored on current set-top box will not be transferred to new TV equipment. Specific model Verizon branded router required.

*Req. compatible device and Fios TV. Content restrictions may apply. Fios Internet req'd for in-home use. Full channel access req. Multi-Room DVR Enhanced or Premium Service. Max. combined 4 simultaneous Live TV streams per media server.

Open the Modal
 
Accessibility Resource Center Skip to main content
Shop
  • Devices
  • Accessories
  • Plans
  • Home Internet & TV
  • Entertainment
  • Deals
Top Device Brands
  • Samsung
  • Apple
  • LG
  • Motorola
  • Google
  • Amazon
Support
  • Support overview
  • Return policy
  • Contact us
  • Sign in
  • Download My Verizon App
About Verizon
  • About us
  • Careers
  • News
  • Responsibility
  • Verizon Innovation Program
  • Consumer education
  • Brochures
Most Popular
  • Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max
  • Samsung Galaxy S20+ 5G
  • Apple AirPods Max
  • Disney
  • Apple Watch Series 6
  • Fios
  • Verizon Visa® Card
Top Accessory Brands
  • Otterbox
  • ZAGG
  • Beats
  • Mophie
  • JBL
  • Fitbit
  • Gear 4
Important Consumer Information
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Report a security vulnerability
  • Mobile customer agreement
  • Announcements
  • Radio frequency emissions
  • Legal notices
Follow Verizon
facebook-official twitter you-tube instagram
Follow Verizon Fios
facebook-official twitter
Verizon Logo
  • Site Map
  • Privacy policy
  • Accessibility
  • Open internet
  • Terms & conditions
  • Advertise with Us
  • © Verizon 2020
  • Do Not Sell My Personal Information
  • About our ads