Digital Safety Center | Allstate Identity Protection

Identity theft. It's more common than you think.

Get the facts families need to know.

Families today are 30% more likely to experience identity fraud than individuals.¹ Here are some ways your family can stay safe, so you can keep doing what you love online with confidence.

IDENTITY THEFT

facts vs. fiction

Here are some common myths to steer clear of

THE MYTH

If identity
fraud occurs, my bank
will take care of it.

The Reality

Over two thirds of identity fraud victims say their financial institution did not resolve the fraud.² The reality is that while banks may reverse a fraudulent charge, identity theft has additional consequences, which can follow families for years. When a criminal steals your identity, your online accounts, credit, loans, taxes, and government benefits all could be affected. That’s why comprehensive identity protection with full-service remediation is so critical today.

THE MYTH

Identity theft only happens to adults.

THE REALITY

One in 50 children were victims of identity fraud in 2021, and one in 45 children had their identities compromised in a data breach.¹ Kids are especially vulnerable because they have “clean credit” — typically they don’t have credit reports at all — which criminals can exploit for years. Many young adults discover they’re victims when they go to apply for financial aid or a school loan for the first time, when much of the damage has already been done.

THE MYTH

I can resolve identity theft quickly on my own.

THE REALITY

You can manage identity theft on your own, but why would you want to? We’ve seen it take hours or even weeks to resolve. Much of that untangling happens during business hours, which means if you or a loved one become a victim, your work life could be significantly impacted. We help members save time and stress by managing identity threats on their behalf, and we can do the same for you.

THE MYTH

Identity protection services aren't cheap.

THE REALITY

Identity theft can be costly, and delay victims from achieving financial milestones like buying a first home or car. In 2021, 42 million U.S. consumers were affected by identity fraud, with an average loss of $1,551 per victim.³ So identity protection is a small investment in your family’s financial future. Plus, your company may offer coverage as an employee benefit, which ensures the lowest price available. In that case, you can protect your whole family for as little as 1-2 lattes per month.

THE MYTH

I change my passwords regularly. That’s enough to protect my identity.

THE REALITY

While we highly recommend creating strong, unique passwords for every online account, updating them regularly, and using two-factor authentication, these mitigation strategies alone won't prevent identity theft. Emerging threats like phishing, malware, and third-party data breaches still put personal information at risk every day.

THE MYTH

Elderly parents don’t have to worry about digital fraud.

THE REALITY

Older Americans are more connected than ever before.⁴ Unfortunately, millions of seniors fall victim to financial schemes every year, including romance, lottery, tech support, and government impersonation scams.⁵ Those with nest eggs saved for retirement can be especially appealing targets for cybercriminals. In 2021, victims over the age of 60 reported losses of $1.7 billion, a 74% increase in losses from 2020. The average loss per elder fraud victim was $18,246.⁶

Identity theft basics for families

From toddlers to elderly parents, everyone is vulnerable to identity theft. So we’ve put together some resources to help you understand how families are targeted and what steps you can take to help protect yourself and your loved ones.