 TITLE: How to Protect Yourself If You’ve Been Scammed Online CONTENT: Monitor Your Credit\n-------------------\nAs you take these steps, your information will become less valuable to the scammer who stole it. If they steal a credit card number, for instance, canceling the card will immediately stop them from being able to use your line of credit. And if they have your Social Security number, placing a credit freeze or fraud alert on your credit reports can stop the thief from opening new accounts in your name.\nJust keep in mind that there are other ways a criminal can use your Social Security number, including filing fraudulent tax returns and health insurance claims. So keep an eye on those things as well, so you can report the fraud immediately if it occurs.\nThroughout this process, it's important to monitor your credit in case a scammer manages to use your information before you lock it down. Check your credit report regularly for potential changes that you don't recognize, and also keep an eye on your credit score in case it drops suddenly, which could be a sign that there's trouble.\nThere's no surefire way to stop identity theft, but if you keep track of your credit and follow the other steps listed above, you'll have a much better chance of recovering quickly from a scam. END