 TITLE: What Is Familiar Fraud and How It Can Affect Your Family? CONTENT: How to Help Prevent Familiar Fraud\n----------------------------------\nWhile there are no surefire ways to avoid being targeted, you can take steps that help prevent a familiar fraudster from being successful. Consider the following actions:\n### Place a Security Freeze on Your Credit\nRequesting a security freeze will limit access to your credit reports, including for legitimate purposes. If someone tries to open an account in your name, the lender will not be able to view your reports when attempting to do a credit check and therefore won't be able to approve the account. You can freeze your credit by contacting each of the major credit bureaus (Experian, TransUnion and Equifax). You'll have to remember to \"thaw\" the freeze whenever you want to apply for credit.\n\"Freezing your credit is now free for everyone, including minor children, and it's one of the most robust risk minimization steps you can take,\" Velasquez says. \"If your credit is frozen, another person cannot open new lines of credit using your identity information even if they have your identity credentials or PII.\"\nJust be sure to protect the PIN that's used to thaw your credit, just like you protect other sensitive documents and information.\n### Set Up a Fraud Alert\nAdding a fraud alert to your credit reports is usually a quick and easy process and may be preferable to a credit freeze if you plan to apply for credit in the near future. It adds a notification to your credit file that asks lenders to take additional steps to verify your identity before approving any new credit requests. You only need to request a fraud alert with one of the credit bureaus and it will be added to all three of your credit reports.\nA temporary fraud alert lasts for one year and can be canceled at any time. If you know you've been the victim of identity theft, you can opt for an extended fraud alert, which lasts seven years. Some people prefer fraud alerts over credit freezes because they don't require you to thaw your credit when completing a legitimate credit application.\n### Monitor Your Accounts for Suspicious Activity\nStaying on top of your accounts can alert you to potential familiar fraud. \"If you check your accounts on a consistent basis, you should be able to catch any unauthorized purchases and take the appropriate steps to resolve the fraud,\" Velasquez says.\nIt's also wise to check your credit reports regularly for suspicious activity. Unfamiliar accounts or elevated balances are red flags for identity theft.\n### Explore Identity Protection Programs\nTaking more in-depth precautions may help you sleep better at night, especially if you've been the victim of familiar fraud in the past. Experian IdentityWorks℠ provides identity theft monitoring and dark web surveillance, which can offer some peace of mind. You can also lock and unlock your credit file with ease, adding an additional layer of protection. If you are ultimately victimized, you'll have access to fraud resolution services and up to $1 million in ID theft insurance.\n### Keep Sensitive Documents in a Safe Place\nVelasquez suggests taking extra steps to keep your personal information safe from potential scammers. A lockbox or fire safe can do the trick. It's also wise to be mindful of oversharing information with those close to you, as people can't steal information they don't have.\n\"Don't leave your purse or wallet out when visitors come because they could also be easily accessed,\" she says. \"While it may seem overboard, familiar fraud is typically committed by people you trust and would not expect to steal your PII.\" END