What if I gave my address to a scammer?

With a name and address, a thief can change your address via U.S. Postal Service and redirect mail to their address of choice, Velasquez says. With access to your financial mail, the thief may intercept bank statements and credit card offers or bills, then order new checks and credit cards.
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What to do if you accidentally give your address to a scammer?

For that, you'll need to call your local U.S. Postal Inspection Service office, which you can locate here. You can also call the general number for the U.S. Postal Inspection Service at 877-876-2455 (press option “4” to report mail fraud), or file a report online.
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Why would a scammer want your address?

The scammers divert your mail to the new mailing address where they have access. They open your mail and access your bank statements, drivers license renewals, and other sensitive information they can use to rob you or conduct financial crimes under your name.
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Can someone steal your identity with your address?

Similar to your name, your physical address is almost impossible to protect. In fact, it's a matter of public record. Fortunately, there's not much an identity thief can do with just your address, even if he or she also knows your name.
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What if a scammer has my personal information?

Report Identity Theft. Report identity (ID) theft to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) online at IdentityTheft.gov or by phone at 1-877-438-4338. The FTC will collect the details of your situation.
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Giving Scammers Their Own Information



What do you do if you give out personal information?

  1. File a claim with your identity theft insurance, if applicable. ...
  2. Notify companies of your stolen identity. ...
  3. File a report with the Federal Trade Commission. ...
  4. Contact your local police department. ...
  5. Place a fraud alert on your credit reports. ...
  6. Freeze your credit. ...
  7. Sign up for a credit monitoring service, if offered.
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Can I report a scammer to the police?

Report the incident to the classified site immediately, sending them as much information as possible about the ad in question as possible. They can retrieve and store information to pass on to the police. Report the incident to your local police station so that they can open a case.
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What happens if someone is using your address?

It is okay to open a joint account with a person but collecting and keeping their personal data like name, address, debit card number, and social security number is also a crime. Someone doing that can even go to jail because invading anyone's privacy without letting them know, which is still wrong.
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What details does a scammer need?

Fraudsters need just three pieces of personal information to steal your identity, most of which can be found on your Facebook profile. All it takes is your name, date of birth and address for fraudsters to steal your identity and access your bank accounts, take out loans or take out mobile phones in your name.
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How do you protect your address?

Steps You can take to Protect Your Privacy
  1. Immediately establish a P.O. Box or CMRA (commercial mail-receiving agency) and NEVER receive mail or packages at home. ...
  2. Remove your home address from any of your company filings with the State and DO NOT serve as your own Registered Agent sharing your home/street address.
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What can a scammer do with your address and phone number?

This scam, also known as port-out or SIM splitting fraud, allows criminals to hijack your cellphone number. Once they have your number, the bad guys can clean out your financial accounts, confiscate your email, delete your data and take over your social media profiles.
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What happens if a scammer has your email address?

They Can Steal Your Identity

If your account doesn't contain sensitive business information, a hacker can instead settle for stealing your identity. A hacker can harvest a lot of information from your emails. Invoices have your name and address in plain view, and the scammer can collect any photos you may have sent.
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What can someone do with your details?

Fraudsters can use your identity details to:
  • Open bank accounts.
  • Obtain credit cards, loans and state benefits.
  • Order goods in your name.
  • Take over your existing accounts.
  • Take out mobile phone contracts.
  • Obtain genuine documents such as passports and driving licences in your name.
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Can someone use my address for mail?

Is It Illegal for Someone to Use Your Mailing Address? Technically, it isn't explicitly illegal for someone to use your address. However, using a mail address without permission or using it as your own when it isn't, could be deemed address fraud. In some states, it would result in jail time!
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Can a scammer get into your bank account?

Yes, this is possible. Identity theft was the number one reported type of fraud in 2020 [*], according to the FTC. When scammers gain access to your personal information by phishing, for example, they can do one or more of the following: Gain access to your bank account and spend or transfer all your money.
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What can a scammer do with my picture?

Information fraudsters could get from your photos

A photo posted on your birthday, for example, would provide them with your date of birth, whereas a photo of a new house could potentially give them details of where you live.
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Will I get my money back after being scammed?

If you've bought something from a scammer

If you've paid for something you haven't received, you might be able to get your money back. Your card provider can ask the seller's bank to refund the money. This is known as the 'chargeback scheme'. If you paid by debit card, you can use chargeback however much you paid.
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Is giving a false address a crime?

Address fraud is a type of fraud in which the perpetrator uses an inaccurate or fictitious address to steal money or other benefit, or to hide from authorities. The crime may involve stating one's address as a place where s/he never lived, or continuing to use a previous address where one no longer lives as one's own.
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Is sending someone their address illegal?

Virtually everyone's address is public information and can be found on the internet in a matter of minutes. While it may not be wise to give out someone's address, it is not illegal to do so.
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Is it illegal to give a fake address?

There are several ways to commit address fraud, and it is considered a crime in most jurisdictions. Depending on the severity of the crime, the legal penalties can include fines and imprisonment. Address fraud can be committed by businesses that use a mail drop instead of a post office box number.
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How do I get a scammer back?

Contact your bank and report the fraudulent transfer. Ask if they can reverse the wire transfer and give you your money back. Did you send money through a money transfer app? Report the fraudulent transaction to the company behind the money transfer app and ask if they can reverse the payment.
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What to do when you have been scammed?

Report the scam to the FTC online, or by phone at 1-877-382-4357 (9:00 AM - 8:00 PM, ET). The FTC accepts complaints about most scams, including these popular ones: Phone calls. Emails.
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What if a scammer has my phone number?

What to do if a scammer has your phone number. If the worst happens and a scammer gains access to your phone number, you still have options: Contact your service provider immediately and explain the situation. If need be, ask them to put a temporary freeze on your line so that scammers can't use your number.
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What action do you need to take if you suspect your personal information has been compromised?

Freeze your credit

Another step you can take, whether you're affected by a data breach or not, is to freeze your credit. You can do this by contacting each of the three credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) and asking to freeze your credit.
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Can someone steal my identity with my name address and date of birth?

Identity theft is when someone steals personal information such as your name, date of birth and address. When these details are used to open a bank account, sign up for a credit card, or apply for official documents, identity theft becomes identity fraud.
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