Knowledge and good practices can help protect against financial crimes
Protect the integrity of your identity and financial information by staying vigilant and up to date on common fraud schemes.
What is identity theft?
Identity theft is the use of someone else’s personal information, such as their name, Social Security number, account number or credit card number, without permission, often to commit financial fraud.
How can I tell if I’m the victim of identity theft?
Unexplained charges or withdrawals made to your accounts could indicate that you may be the victim of identity theft. Other potential indicators include:
- Failure to receive bills or other expected mail
- Receipt of credit card statements or other financial documents for accounts you did not open
- Contact from lenders or credit collection agencies for loans you did not take
- Unexplained credit denials
- Inability to place or receive calls from your telephone
What can I do if I suspect I am a victim of identity theft?
- Change your account passwords, starting with your email address. Other accounts may include:
- Raymond James Client Access – contact 877.752.2237 to reset your password
- Banks, credit card and other financial institutions
- Bill payment services
- Online stores
- Utilities
- Social networks
- Notify all financial institutions that you maintain relationships with (banking, investments, credit cards, etc.) that your identity has been put at risk and to request to have a “Red Flag” alert placed on your account. Take note of the date, time and the name of whom you speak with at each institution
- Contact the Federal Trade Commission, 877.438.4338
- Contact the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)
- Closely review account statements
- Contact one of the three credit bureaus to request a fraud alert or credit freeze – Equifax, Experian or TransUnion.
Cybersecurity Guides
Is someone you know being scammed?
These red flags may signal that someone you know is being targeted by financial criminals:
- Atypical behaviors, particularly around money and spending
- Sudden changes to long-held financial professional relationships including lawyers, CPAs and financial advisors
- Signs of intimidation or reluctance to speak in the presence of a spouses, family members or friends
- A new friend or associate conducting financial transactions on their behalf
- Social isolation
- New romances that seem out of character
Scammers exploit people’s hopes, fears, loneliness and good manners to get what they want. Savvy, reasonable, skeptical people get lured into scams, too. If you find yourself in a relationship – business or otherwise – where someone is having you make financial decisions outside the ordinary, get a gut check from your financial advisor, friends or family.
Practical steps you can take to protect yourself
Stay informed: Educate yourself about common scams and tactics used by fraudsters. Awareness is the first line of defense.
- Be skeptical: If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Be cautious when receiving unsolicited calls, emails, or messages.
- Verify: Always verify the identity of the person or organization contacting you. Don’t share personal information unless you’re certain of their legitimacy.
- Avoid rushed decisions: Scammers often create urgency to pressure victims. Take your time before making any financial decisions.
- Don’t share personal information: Be cautious about sharing sensitive details over the phone or online. Legitimate organizations won’t ask for your Social Security number or financial information via email or phone.
- Check charities’ legitimacy: Before donating, verify the legitimacy of a charity. Scammers often pose as charitable organizations.
- Stay socially connected: Isolation can make people more vulnerable. Maintain social connections and seek advice from trusted friends or family members.
Check up on your security
Reach out to your financial advisor for answers to your account security questions and for practices to better protect your financial assets.