Identity Theft

Identity theft is a serious crime where someone unlawfully obtains and uses your personal information, such as your Social Security number, credit card details, or bank account information, to commit fraud or other crimes. This can lead to significant financial loss, damage to your credit score, and a lengthy process to restore your identity.  We are committed to helping you understand the risks of identity theft and providing you with the tools and knowledge to protect yourself. In this section, you'll find essential tips and resources to safeguard your personal information and prevent identity theft.

How can identity theft occur?

There are many ways identity theft can occur – in our Security Page, we cover phishing, malware attacks and skimming.   Here are some additional methods and ways to prevent it:

Mail Theft

Scammers steal mail that may contain personal information, such as bank statements, credit card offers and tax documents.  

Prevention Tips

• Sign up for electronic statements
• Promptly collect your mail
• Use a secure mailbox
• Install security camera with view of your mailbox

Dumpster Diving

Yes, it’s just as it sounds!  Scammers search through trash for discarded documents containing personal information.  

Prevention Tips

• Shred sensitive documents
• Separate trash with sensitive documents and place in receptacle the day of collection

Social Media

Posting personal details on social media can provide scammers with enough information to steal your identity

Prevention Tips

• Avoid sharing your date of birth or family information (i.e. maiden name) on your profile
• Only accept request from people you know (and ensure it’s not a duplicate profile)
• Adjust your privacy settings to control who can see your posts and personal information
• Do not answer messages or click on links that ask for personal information (even from someone you know)

How can I detect identity theft?

Identity theft can manifest in various ways. Here are some common signs that may indicate your identity has been compromised:

• Unfamiliar transactions – review your bank and credit card statements for unauthorized withdrawals or charges
• Unexpected bills or denied credit applications – review your credit report to understand if someone has obtained credit using your information.  It’s a good practice to review this regularly – it’s free via the credit bureaus - annualcreditreport.com
• Tax return filing issues – if a tax filing is rejected because it has already been filed, that could mean someone has used your social security number to file a fraudulent return - contact the Internal Revenue Service to report the issue and suspected fraud - Identity Theft Guide by the IRS

How does Rally protect my information?

We take our responsibility to protect your confidential information seriously. We've set up physical, electronic and procedural safeguards that meet regulatory standards for keeping your information safe from unauthorized access or use.  For example, our policies and procedures are designed to help ensure that our employees see your information only when they need it to do their work. And they must enter a password to use our computer systems. In addition, our employees must use a security card to get into our buildings, and we have security cameras installed in sensitive areas.

Where can I learn more?

Federal Trade Commission - Identity Theft

United State Government - Scams and Fraud

Identity Theft Prevention Guide

United States Postal Service - Mail Theft Prevention