Credit card fraud was the most common type of identity theft in the U.S in 2022. Identity theft has soared in recent years, making it important for consumers to take action to protect themselves. 

For U.S News and World Report, University of Michigan School of Information associate professor Florian Schaub says all consumers should set up a credit freeze to protect their data, and a fraud alerts if they suspect their identity is at risk.

"You wouldn't have that information lying around outside on your lawn or posted to the outside of your apartment door,” Shaub says. “So it's good practice to just lock it down and make sure this can't be accessed unless you're actually engaging in a transaction that requires creditworthiness.” 

RELATED

Read “Fraud Alert vs. Credit Freeze: Which Is the Right Choice for You?” on U.S News and World Report. 

Read more of Florian Schaub’s research on privacy and security by visiting his UMSI faculty profile.