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Becoming a victim of any type of fraud, scam, or phishing scheme is never pleasant. If you have fallen prey to a scam involving unemployment benefits or other types of public assistance, you might feel angry and embarrassed.

In today’s digital world, the internet has made it easier for people to have access to information, services, and platforms. While the internet offers numerous benefits, your personal information could fall into the wrong hands or be compromised.

As technology continues to permeate our day-to-day lives, identity theft seems to be a growing phenomenon in the United States. That being said, identity theft happens to strike a nerve with the general public as many individuals find their personal lives destroyed as a result of having their information misused.

There are few feelings more invasive than when someone you don’t know has access to your personal information. Unfortunately, victims of identity theft often don’t know a crime has happened until it’s too late. That’s why it’s so important to be familiar with the warning signs of identity theft.

Identity theft is a costly crime, draining you both financially and emotionally. Victims feel exposed, embarrassed, and angry. Some never fully recover the money they lose, their credit score, or their reputation.

You just left your home for a shopping excursion, and 10 minutes later, another car slams into yours and the damage is extensive. The other driver appears to be at fault, so you file a claim with that person’s insurer, or through your own insurance company, which will then subrogate the claim to the at-fault driver’s insurer.

You just bought a new refrigerator that comes with a three-year warranty, and the icemaker breaks a couple of months after purchase. You expect the warranty to cover repairs or replacement, but you call the seller or warranty provider and get the runaround.

The majority of co-signed loan arrangements are a result of an act of kindness. However, if the family member or friend you agreed to help is delinquent on payments, your credit may be at risk.

Medical debt is among the leading causes of financial adversity in the United States. According to the Journal of General Internal Medicine, as of 2019, about 137.1 million Americans have medical debt. Of these, approximately 62% report having health insurance. Medical insurance covers the cost of your treatment and protects you against unexpected, high medical expenses.

Through government-sponsored forbearance programs, 12% or more of U.S. homeowners were able to pause their mortgage payments during the pandemic. As of May 2021, 2.2 million of those homeowners still owed money from the pause, according to a survey by the New York Fed. Of those, 2.9% are expected to face delinquency and possible foreclosure.