WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) – The Better Business Bureau has issued a warning about the potential risks to personal data, citing a recent study that reveals over 16,000 reports of high-level identity theft since 2021.
The BBB notes that these incidents tend to peak around tax season, emphasizing the need for heightened vigilance during this period. “For example, it would be extremely risky to use public internet at places like libraries to input sensitive information such as financial details, birth date, or social security number,” said Denise Groene, BBB VP of operations.
To protect against identity theft, the BBB recommends several proactive measures:
- Regularly monitoring credit reports for unknown accounts
- Using multi-factor authentication whenever possible
- Creating strong, unique passwords for different accounts
By taking these steps, individuals can significantly reduce their risk of falling victim to identity theft scams.