Identity theft can happen to anyone, but older adults are often targeted by scammers who use phone calls, emails, texts and fake websites to steal personal information.

The risks are growing. In 2025, older adults reported losing more than $3 billion to fraud, according to the Federal Trade Commission. Scammers may pretend to be from a bank, government agency, tech support company or even a family member in trouble.

“Identity-theft protection services don’t actually stop identity theft,” said Chris Orestis, a senior care advocate known as the “Retirement Genius” and president of LifeCare Xchange. “There is no foolproof way to stop identity theft from happening. There are just too many different types of valuable information and avenues for cyberthieves to hack them.”

Still, consumers can take steps to protect their identity, credit and financial accounts. Orestis recommends these five steps:

SET UP FRAUD ALERTS

Ask your bank and credit card companies to send alerts by text, email or phone when they detect unusual activity. These alerts can warn you about purchases, withdrawals or login attempts that do not match your normal habits.

If you receive an alert, don’t click links in the message. Instead, call the number on the back of your card or go directly to your bank’s official website.

CHECK ACCOUNTS OFTEN

Review bank and credit card statements every month and check online accounts weekly. Look for small charges you don’t recognize, as scammers sometimes test an account with a minor purchase before making larger charges.

If you find suspicious activity, contact your bank or credit card company right away. Ask whether the account should be frozen, the card canceled or a new account number issued.

MONITOR YOUR CREDIT REPORTS

Checking your credit report can help you spot accounts you didn’t open, loans you didn’t request or address changes you didn’t make.

Review reports from the three major credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. If something looks wrong, contact the credit bureau and the company connected to the account.

You can also place a credit freeze, which makes it harder for someone to open a new account in your name. A freeze is especially helpful if your Social Security number or other personal information has been exposed in a data breach.

SHRED SENSITIVE PAPERS

Identity theft is not always digital. Scammers can still steal information from mailboxes, trash cans, receipts and discarded paperwork.

Shred documents that include account numbers, Social Security numbers, medical information or other personal details. This includes old bank statements, credit card offers, insurance paperwork and expired cards.

Keep important documents in a secure place, and avoid carrying your Social Security card unless you truly need it.

USE STRONG PASSWORDS

Weak or repeated passwords make it easier for criminals to access multiple accounts.

Use different passwords for banking, email, shopping and medical portals. Strong passwords should be long and include a mix of letters, numbers and symbols. Avoid using birthdays, pet names, addresses or other information that could be guessed from social media.

“Not having a strong password on your smartphone or computer is like leaving your house with the front door wide open,” Orestis said. “Mix up your passwords, and change them whenever you suspect an account has been compromised.”

WHAT TO DO IF YOUR IDENTITY IS STOLEN

If you believe your identity has been stolen, contact your bank or credit card company, place a fraud alert or credit freeze, and report the theft at IdentityTheft.gov. The site can help you create a recovery plan based on what happened. 

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