Bankrate follows a strict editorial policy, so you can trust that we’re putting your interests first. Our award-winning editors and reporters create honest and accurate content to help you make the right financial decisions.
Key Principles
We value your trust. Our mission is to provide readers with accurate and unbiased information, and we have editorial standards in place to ensure that happens. Our editors and reporters thoroughly fact-check editorial content to ensure the information you’re reading is accurate. We maintain a firewall between our advertisers and our editorial team. Our editorial team does not receive direct compensation from our advertisers.
Editorial Independence
Bankrate’s editorial team writes on behalf of YOU – the reader. Our goal is to give you the best advice to help you make smart personal finance decisions. We follow strict guidelines to ensure that our editorial content is not influenced by advertisers. Our editorial team receives no direct compensation from advertisers, and our content is thoroughly fact-checked to ensure accuracy. So, whether you’re reading an article or a review, you can trust that you’re getting credible and dependable information.
You have money questions. Bankrate has answers. Our experts have been helping you master your money for over four decades. We continually strive to provide consumers with the expert advice and tools needed to succeed throughout life’s financial journey.
Bankrate follows a strict editorial policy, so you can trust that our content is honest and accurate. Our award-winning editors and reporters create honest and accurate content to help you make the right financial decisions. The content created by our editorial staff is objective, factual, and not influenced by our advertisers.
We’re transparent about how we are able to bring quality content, competitive rates, and useful tools to you by explaining how we make money.
Bankrate.com is an independent, advertising-supported publisher and comparison service. We are compensated in exchange for placement of sponsored products and, services, or by you clicking on certain links posted on our site. Therefore, this compensation may impact how, where and in what order products appear within listing categories. Other factors, such as our own proprietary website rules and whether a product is offered in your area or at your self-selected credit score range can also impact how and where products appear on this site. While we strive to provide a wide range offers, Bankrate does not include information about every financial or credit product or service.
1. What is identity theft?
Identity theft is when someone assumes your identity and opens bank, credit card or other accounts to commit fraud or theft. The Federal Trade Commission says the crime is growing at an alarming rate, with approximately 300,000 reported cases in 2002. And, creative crooks are plotting new schemes all the time.
2. How does identity theft happen?
Con artists need only one slip of paper to steal your identity. Go inside the mind of an identity thief who knows firsthand what you should do to protect yourself. Check out his tips.
3. What if I’m a victim?
You must prove you’re a victim of identity theft — not a deadbeat who doesn’t want to pay bills. Act quickly and follow these 8 steps to clean up your credit. This worksheet will help you track your calls.
4. Can I protect myself?
Vigilance is your best weapon. Routinely check your credit report for unauthorized activity, guard your Social Security number and keep track of all your accounts. More tips.
5. Is help available?
Some companies are joining in the battle but do you need their help?
6. Why are students at risk?College students forced to flash their Social Security number on a daily basis need to be especially careful.
Learn more
The price of shredders ; Dr. Don’s advice on identity theft; Identity theft horror story; IRS identity theft scam; Attack of the cloned cards; Fed to banks: Take basic steps to stop identity theft
Tools
A clean-your-credit worksheet ; Quiz: Are you safeguarding your identity? ; How to order and read your credit report ; 8 steps to take when your identity is stolen ; Identity theft Q & A
Share