South Carolina Identity Theft

Identity thieves can strike even after death. An identity thief's use of a deceased person's Social Security number may create problems for family members.The Social Security Administration (SSA) maintains a national file of reported deaths for the purpose of paying appropriate benefits.

Freeze your credit. Safeguard your Social Security number. Be alert to phishing and spoofing. Use strong passwords and add an authentication step. Use alerts. Watch your mailbox. Shred, shred, shred. Use a digital wallet.

For joint accounts, remove the deceased's name. Report the death to Social Security by calling 800-772-1213. Contact the department of motor vehicles to cancel the deceased's driver's license, to prevent duplicates from being issued to fraudsters.

Place a Fraud Alert on Your Credit Report. Freeze Your Credit Report. Order Your Free Credit Reports. Buy Your Credit Reports. Monitor Your Accounts Online. Enroll in Credit Monitoring. Keep Your Social Security Number Safe. Pick Up Your Check Order.

What is the first step in protecting yourself from identity theft? Never provide personal data about yourself unless absolutely necessary.

It's called ghosting, and it's both scary and surprising. Ghosting is a form of identity theft. It occurs when someone uses the personal information of a dead person, often for monetary gain. A savvy criminal can take over bank accounts, apply for new credit cards, and even file for fraudulent tax refunds.

If you need to report a death or apply for benefits, call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778). You can speak to a Social Security representative between am pm. Monday through Friday. You can also visit your local Social Security office.

File a Police a Report. Identity theft is a crime, and if a family member steals your identity, you are that crime's victim. Alert Credit Bureaus. Contact Creditors. Change Your Passwords. Consider Freezing Your Credit.