Your personal details are valuable to criminals.
Direct answer
Identity theft is when someone uses your personal information, such as your name, ID number or bank details, to commit fraud. It can happen through phishing, data breaches, stolen mail or oversharing online. Protect yourself with strong unique passwords, two-factor authentication and careful handling of personal documents.
How it happens
- Phishing emails and texts
- Data breaches
- Stolen mail or documents
- Public Wi-Fi attacks
- Oversharing on social media
Protect yourself
- Use a password manager and unique passwords.
- Enable two-factor authentication.
- Shred sensitive documents.
- Check bank statements and credit reports regularly.
- Be careful about what you share online.
- Freeze your credit if it is available where you live.
If you are a victim
Contact your bank and lenders, change passwords, report to the police or fraud service and monitor your credit report.
Where Teyro fits
Teyro's How Scams and Financial Fraud Work course turns this into short lessons you can play in a few minutes a day. It has 50 lessons, and you can start free.
The bottom line
Guard your details and check your accounts often.
This is general education, not personal financial advice.
