According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), active-duty Service members are 76% more likely than other adults to report they've been a victim of identity theft. Identity theft occurs when someone steals an individual's personal information and uses it without his or her permission to open fraudulent accounts and make unauthorized purchases. Identity theft is a serious problem that can ruin a person's credit and good name and can take significant time, effort, and money to resolve.

Warning signs of identity theft can include the following:

• Missing bills
• Unauthorized accounts on credit reports
• Unsolicited credit cards or bills
• Credit denial

Here are some ways you can prevent it:

• Keep your personal information secure including your mail, wallet and purse. Provide your Social Security number only after vetting the requesting organization and determining why it is needed.
• Save receipts and review your account statements often. Shred documents with personal information.
• Notify creditors of address updates.
• Check credit reports regularly at annualcreditreport.com.
• If your spouse is deploying soon, place an active-duty alert or freeze on their credit report with each of the three major credit reporting agencies: Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax. It is free and it makes it more difficult for a line of credit to be opened in their name.
• Have your spouse take advantage of the free credit monitoring available. Learn more here.