Social media profiles are among the most common targets for scammers, hackers, and identity thieves. Fraudsters know that if they can hack your accounts, they can use them to scam your followers or find sensitive information about you that they can use to steal your identity.

Romance scammers create fake profiles on dating sites and apps or contact you through popular social media sites like Instagram or Facebook. The scammers strike up a relationship with you to build up trust, sometimes talking or chatting several times a day. Then, they make up a story and ask for money. They may also ask for your personal information, like your banking details or family history, so they can steal your identity.

Scammers target kids online, often by pretending to be another kid or teenager, to get their personal information. With a child’s personal information they can open up new lines of credit which can go undiscovered for years. Criminals have also found that kids can be a gateway to their parents’ personal information and are constantly looking for ways to expose your name, address, phone number, credit card info and Social Insurance Numbers.

Because your wallet usually has your bank and credit cards, as well as government-issued ID like your driver’s licence and health card, identity thieves can use that information to try to open new credit accounts in your name. You could be on the hook for someone else’s spending, and your credit scores could be seriously damaged, making it harder for you to get a new credit card or qualify for a new loan.

Known as skimming, thieves get payment information from an ATM, gas station pump, or other payment card reader using an electronic device that’s attached to the reader. The device allows them to steal the information stored on a credit or debit card’s magnetic strip to clone cards and make unauthorized purchases.

Known as phishing, attackers use emails or messages that appear to be from legitimate sources (e.g., banks, government agencies) to trick individuals into providing sensitive information. Using a more targeted form, spear phishing, attackers tailor their approach to specific individuals with personal details. Then there’s vishing, where scammers use phone calls to impersonate legitimate organizations or individuals to get your personal information.

Malware is a type of software designed to harm your computer or steal your personal information. It can spread through email attachments, infected websites, and malicious downloads. If you think your computer may be infected with malware, you should run a scan with a reputable antivirus program. Ransomware is a type of malware that holds your computer or files hostage until you pay a ransom to the attacker. It's like a digital kidnapper that demands a payment in exchange for the release of your data.

Fraudsters can use the bank and credit card statements that you throw away to get personal details or account information.

Large-scale breaches at companies, healthcare providers, or other organizations can expose vast amounts of personal information. This data can be used for identity theft or sold on the dark web.

On unsecured or public Wi-Fi networks, attackers can intercept data transmitted by users. Tools can capture login credentials, personal information, and other sensitive data.

Technological advances allow attackers to create convincing fake videos or audio recordings to impersonate individuals and trick others into revealing personal information or making fraudulent transactions.

Scammers convince your mobile carrier to transfer your phone number to a SIM card they control. This gives them access to your calls, texts, and any two-factor authentication codes sent to your phone, potentially leading to account takeovers and financial losses.

Some signs of identity theft include receiving unfamiliar bills or charges on your credit card for items you didn't buy. Other signs include calls from debt collectors about accounts you didn’t open, unexplained withdrawals from your bank account, notifications that more than one tax return was filed in your name, or a credit or loan application that was unexpectedly denied.

When reviewing your credit report, ask yourself the following questions to determine if you could be a victim of identity theft:

• Are there unfamiliar credit accounts listed on your credit report?
• Do you have an unfamiliar account that has late payments or is in collections?
• Are there inquiries listed on your credit report from companies you don’t recognize?
• Is there a phone number or address listed on your credit report that you don’t recognize?