FTC report: Nevadans at high risk of ID theft​

By Andrea Domanick

Monday, March 9, 2015 | 2 a.m.

Nevadans beware: Local consumers are among the most vulnerable in the country when it comes to fraud and identity theft.

A new report from the Federal Trade Commission found that Nevada ranked eighth in the country for per-capita identity theft complaints made to the agency in 2014. Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise ranked ninth in the nation among major metropolitan areas.

A total of 2,846 identity theft complaints were received in Nevada last year, according to the FTC’s 2014 Consumer Sentinel Data Book, the majority of which fell under benefits, credit card and utilities fraud. More than half of residents who filed a complaint — 59 percent — reported a loss, which averaged $4,296.

Nevadans remain vulnerable to fraud and identity theft as consumer data breaches remain an ongoing threat across the country. About one in three data breach victims will also face identity fraud, according to consumer research firm Javelin Strategy and Research. About 12.7 million consumers experienced identity fraud in 2014 for a combined loss of $16 billion, though that figure is down 3 percent from a near record high of 13.1 percent in 2013. A number of high-profile companies such as Target, Home Depot and Anthem have made headlines in recent years after suffering major cyberattacks that compromised sensitive customer data.

While there’s no guaranteed way for consumers to fully protect against such fraud, there are a number of steps that individuals can take reduce their risk, as recommended by consumer advocacy nonprofit the National Consumers League:

• Resist clicking on suspicious links or attachments in emails, text messages or on the Web. These often contain malware that can hijack your computer and steal sensitive personal information like Social Security numbers, usernames, passwords and dates of birth.

• File your taxes early in the tax season. The FTC identified tax-related identity theft as a top source of identity theft complaints. Scammers file in someone else’s name early in tax season and collect fraudulent returns before the legitimate taxpayer has filed her return. NCL has published a step-by-step guide to spotting and recovering from this fraud.

• Create strong and unique passwords using a combination of letters, numbers and symbols. Avoid using common words or names in your password and don’t use the same password across multiple websites. Take advantage of stronger security technology, like multifactor authentication, particularly on sensitive accounts like email addresses.

• Review your credit reports regularly and report any suspicious activity promptly. Consumers can obtain a copy of their credit reports from all three credit reporting bureaus for free at annualcreditreport.com.

• Raise your voice in Washington to demand real data security reform! NCL’s #DataInsecurity Project is calling on Congress make data security a priority in 2015. Consumers can learn more and join the fight by watching this video and visiting nclnet.org/datainsecurity.

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