From the State Treasurer’s Office; Jan. 31, 2023.

 

COLORADO: On the second day of Identity Theft Awareness Week 2023, Treasurer Dave Young wants to make sure you know what identity theft is and what to do if it happens to you. 

“Coloradans must remain vigilant in keeping their personal information secure,” Treasurer Dave Young stated. “This week we will focus on highlighting simple steps anyone can take to protect their information.

Identity theft is a growing problem, and, unfortunately, thieves are using technology to become more sophisticated. Because identity theft can lead to significant financial damage, it’s crucial that Coloradans take steps today in order to protect themselves and their loved ones from identity theft.”

Identity Theft Awareness Week is an annual observance that begins on the last Monday of January and lasts for five days. This year, it takes place from January 30 to February 3. The significance of this week is to spread awareness that any type of theft can disrupt your finances, credit history, and reputation and take money and time to resolve. 

What should you do if identity theft happens to you? 

1. Call the companies where you know the fraud occurred.
2. Place a fraud alert and get your credit reports.
3. Report identity theft and get a recovery plan at the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) IdentityTheft.gov website. 
4. File a report with your local police department.
5. Consider purchasing an identity theft protection program for yourself and family members. An identity theft protection program will monitor potential identity theft threats and alert you before it occurs.

 

COLORADO: On the third day of Identity Theft Awareness Week 2023, Colorado Treasurer Dave Young wants to make sure you know what to do in a data breach. 

“Being affected by a data breach can be alarming, and in the worst-case scenario, it can lead to identity theft and financial complications,” Treasurer Dave Young stated. “But if you know what to expect, and you take a few simple steps to protect yourself and stay vigilant, you can overcome the risks and hassles of a data breach.”

Identity Theft Awareness Week is an annual observance that begins on the last Monday of January and lasts for five days. This year, it takes place from January 30 to February 3. The significance of this week is to spread awareness that any type of theft can disrupt your finances, credit history, and reputation and take money and time to resolve. 

When Information Is Lost or Exposed
Did you recently get a notice that says your personal information was exposed in a data breach? Did you lose your wallet? Or learn that an online account was hacked? Depending on what information was lost, there are steps you can take to help protect yourself from identity theft.

Unfortunately, data breaches have become a common feature of modern life in our always-connected world of online services; everyone in the U.S. is at risk of having their data stolen. However, even if your data is compromised in a data breach, you don’t have to become a victim. There are several steps you can take to contain the damage and keep your personal finances, credit score, and identity safe from criminals.

If you find out that a company you do business with – or an online service that you use – has suffered a data breach, here are a few steps to take right away:

 

 

Colorado Treasurer Dave Young Wants You To Know How To Check Your Credit Reports For Free

Identity Theft Awareness Week 2023 January 30 – February 3

COLORADO: On the fourth day of Identity Theft Awareness Week 2023, Colorado Treasurer Dave Young wants to make sure you know how to check your credit reports for free.

“Your credit reports matter. Credit reports may affect your mortgage rates, credit card approvals, apartment requests, or even your job application,” Treasurer Dave Young stated. “Reviewing credit reports helps you catch signs of identity theft early. And you can do it for free at annualcreditreport.com.”

Identity Theft Awareness Week is an annual observance that begins on the last Monday of January and lasts for five days. This year, it takes place from January 30 to February 3. The significance of this week is to spread awareness that any type of theft can disrupt your finances, credit history, and reputation and take money and time to resolve.

AnnualCreditReport.com is the official site to get your free annual credit reports. This right is guaranteed by Federal law. You can verify this is the official site by visiting the CFPB’s website.

Don’t be fooled by look-alike sites. You can be sure that you are on the right site if you type www.AnnualCreditReport.com in your browser address line. Don’t come to the site by clicking on a link in another site or in an email.

The site is maintained by Central Source, LLC. Central Source, LLC is sponsored by Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion so you have a single site where you can ask for all three of your free credit reports. Federal law allows you to get a free copy of your credit report every 12 months from each credit reporting company.

“During the COVID-19 pandemic, accessing your credit is important,” Treasury spokesperson Sheena Kadi stated. “That’s why Equifax, Experian and TransUnion are continuing to offer free weekly online credit reports instead of just annually. There’s no reason for Coloradans to not take advantage of this opportunity to check yours.”

 

Colorado Treasurer Dave Young Wraps Up Identity Theft Awareness Week in Colorado

Identity Theft Awareness Week 2023 January 30 – February 3

COLORADO: Today wraps up Identity Theft Awareness Week 2023, and Colorado Treasurer Dave Young wants to make sure you know what identity theft is, how to prevent it, and what to do if it happens to you. 

“Coloradans must remain vigilant in keeping their personal information secure,” Treasurer Dave Young stated. “This week we focused on highlighting simple steps anyone can take to protect their information. Because identity theft can lead to significant financial damage, it’s crucial that Coloradans take steps today in order to protect themselves and their loved ones from identity theft.”

Identity Theft Awareness Week is an annual observance that begins on the last Monday of January and lasts for five days. This year, it takes place from January 30 to February 3. The significance of this week is to spread awareness that any type of theft can disrupt your finances, credit history, and reputation and take money and time to resolve. 

To help consumers avoid identity thieves, The Colorado Department of the Treasury is sharing these helpful consumer tips:

1. Pay attention to what you receive and leave in your mailbox, especially if it is not a locked mailbox. Personal checks, credit card statements, bank statements, and utility and medical bills contain valuable personal information that could be a goldmine for scammers. Consider having these statements and payments delivered electronically instead and using a postal drop box.
2. Be mindful of what documents you put in your trash. Identity thieves are willing to dig through garbage to find valuable information. To reduce the risk of identity theft, consider purchasing a good paper shredder, and if the document has anything beyond your name and address on it, shred it. Can’t afford a shredder? Free paper shredding events and services might be available in your community.  
3. When accessing your financial accounts online, never click on a link from an email, even if you think it is from your bank. Scammers have become increasingly sophisticated at creating emails and links that resemble legitimate companies’ emails. If you are in doubt, contact your financial institution directly at the customer service number listed on their website.
4. When you are shopping online, do not enter personal information or financial data unless you are 100% confident the site is secure.
5. Pay attention to what you post on social media. While it is fun to answer those questionnaires about your first car, your high school mascot, or your first pet’s name, the information you provide is an easy way for scammers and hackers to figure out information used in passwords and answers to security questions. 
6. Stay on top of your finances. Awareness is one of your best defenses against identity theft so take advantage of all the free tools offered by the institutions you deal with. Most financial institutions offer multiple types of alerts you can set up for your accounts, and many offer the ability to freeze accounts until you are ready to use them. Purchases post to accounts almost instantly and you can review those as often as you like.
7. Make it hard for thieves to get your information. Reduce your exposure to identity thieves by storing your personal and financial information in a  lockbox or an inexpensive safe. Traveling? Never leave personal or financial information in your vehicle.

What should you do if identity theft happens to you? Unfortunately identity thieves sometimes defeat the most careful consumer. If it happens to you, report identity theft and get a recovery plan at FTC’s IdentityTheft.gov website. Consider purchasing an identity theft protection program for yourself and family members. An identity theft protection program will monitor potential identity theft threats and alert you before it occurs.