Utah Identity Theft Is on the Rise

If you think identity theft is something that only happens to other people, do think again. In Utah, identity theft occurs every day. If you have been the victim of such fraud, your credit—and good name—could be ruined. If the worst happens and someone else uses your personal info, DoNotPay can help.

What Is Identity Theft?

Identity theft is one of the fastest-growing crimes from coast to coast. The term refers to all sorts of crimes that involve the unlawful use of another person's name, social security number, bank account numbers, and/or other personal information. Typically, Utah identity theft is done for financial gain, but some ID thieves use another person's name to obtain a passport and flee the country.

How Do Identity Thieves Get Another Person's Personal Information?

These days, a lot of identity theft in Utah and other places starts online. Email phishing scams send electronic letters that look authentic enough to fool the recipient into clicking a bogus link where they freely offer account numbers, passwords, and other info an identity thief can use for nefarious purposes.

According to Consumer Affairs, phishing attacks doubled between 2019 and 2020, but that's not the only way Utah identity theft occurs. Additional methods used by ID thieves include:

• Data breaches at hotels, hospitals, and banks
• Dumpster diving for credit card receipts and social security statements
• Going through trash cans to find discarded tax returns
• Impersonating a bank officer or landlord
• Snatching a purse or pick-pocketing a wallet
• Stealing snail mail to find credit card offers
• Telemarketing scams

What Utah Identity Theft Can Lead To

Once a dishonest person has their hands on your personally identifying information, they may use it for a number of deceitful reasons. They may:

1. Apply for a loan with your credentials
2. Apply for government benefits in your name
3. Enroll in school or the military with your name
4. File false tax returns
5. File for unemployment in your name
6. Get a driver's license in your name
7. Get a job with your social security number
8. Get medical services in your name
9. Give your name to the police if they are arrested
10. Obtain a credit card in your name
11. Obtain a credit report in your name
12. Obtain a passport in your name
13. Open a bank account in your name
14. Open a utilities account under your name
15. Redirect your snail mail
16. Sign a lease on an apartment
17. Steal your stimulus check
18. Steal your tax refund
19. Write counterfeit checks

Identity Theft Signs to Watch For

Norton Antivirus provides several signs that may indicate someone else is fraudulently using your identity:

• Bills you expect to receive by mail are never delivered
• Unexpected activity on your credit report
• You are suddenly flooded by calls from bill collectors
• You can't file taxes because somebody else already filed with your name and SSN
• Your bank statement looks incorrect
• Your credit card statement reflects purchases you didn't make

What to Do If Your Identity Is Stolen in Utah

If you notice any of the aforementioned red flags, you must move quickly.

According to the Federal Trade Commission, the first thing to do is contact the fraud department at every company where your name may have been fraudulently used. Explain that another person stole your identity to make purchases or obtain services. Request a freeze on your accounts, and change your passwords right away.

Contact at least one of the three major credit bureaus and request a free one-year fraud alert. By law, the credit bureau you contact is required to notify the other two. To be on the safe side, go ahead and call all the credit bureaus to make sure they know.

Visit the Federal Trade Commission and file an identity theft in Utah report, and file a report with your local law enforcement agency. Show law enforcement any debt collection letters you have erroneously received, and notify debt collectors that you were a victim of identity theft. Sounds confusing? It can be. Fortunately, DoNotPay makes the process so much easier.

Let DoNotPay Manage Identity Theft Reports on Your Behalf

Few frauds feel as personally damaging as identity theft. The process of reporting to each and every company where someone used a bogus credit card in your name can be frustrating. Don't worry. The AI Consumer Champion at DoNotPay sends fraud reports to the right departments every day.

How to deal with identity theft using DoNotPay:

1. Search "identity theft" on DoNotPay and select the type of incident you would like to report.

2. Tell us more about the incident that occurred, including the location, date, time, financial loss, and any suspect information you may have.

3. We'll identify whether you should file an FTC report, contact the IRS, freeze your credit report, contact state agencies, or file a police report. Once we guide you through the best options, we'll automatically submit the reports on your behalf!

In Utah, you can send demand letters to the person who stole your identity and make sure they are held accountable for their dishonest actions. DoNotPay can file your case in small claims court.

If Identity Theft Happens to You

Identity theft affects millions of people each and every year. If you are the victim of identity theft in Utah, DoNotPay can help you clear your name. When you are ready to know more about DNP and consumer services, contact us without delay.