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The Better Business Bureau said identity theft victimizes about 7% of US households. The BBB said it had gone up since the pandemic began. Last year, more than 38,000 Texans fell victim to identity theft. That number is up from 18,000 victims in 2018. “We’re doing a lot of transfers with cash apps and digital wallets [since the pandemic],” said Jason Meza, regional director for the Better Business Bureau. Meza also said senior citizens and 18- to 24-year-olds are the most vulnerable.
·“My best advice is: be cautious when you interact with links that are unsolicited. Inbound links should be treated with caution,” he said.
·Meza also said to keep your information safe, it’s best to keep software and antivirus apps on your devices up to date. Also, read your credit card bills carefully. If there are any bogus charges, report them to your credit card company.
·However, if you’ve already fallen victim, visit www.identitytheft.gov. The Federal Trade Commission runs the site. It helps victims form a recovery plan.
(KSAT)