The Fraudian Slip Podcast: FTC – How to Prevent Identity Theft as it Evolves - S7E1

Show Transcript

Welcome to the Fraudian Slip, the Identity Theft Resource Center’s (ITRC) podcast, where we talk about all things identity theft, fraud and scams that impact people and businesses. This is the first episode of our seventh season, and we appreciate all of our long-time followers. We’re also glad to have all of our new followers along for the ride. This month’s episode focuses on how to prevent identity theft as it evolves. 

It’s safe to say 2025 was a helluva year when it comes to identity theft, fraud and scams. January is when we begin to look back to see just how crazy the year was. The ITRC will release our annual analysis of data breaches on the 29th of this month. That report will tell us if we set a new record high number of data compromises in a single year. Here’s a hint: that’s a safe bet. 

However, January is also home to Identity Theft Awareness Week, led by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). This is the 17th annual Identity Theft Awareness Week since the FTC formally launched the program in 2009. 

Here to talk about how to prevent identity theft amid its evolution and the latest advice for people on avoiding or recovering from it are Patti Poss, a senior attorney at the FTC, and, as always, ITRC CEO Eva Velasquez. Before we get started officially, we need to point out that Patti will be expressing her own views that do not necessarily reflect the views of the FTC or any Commissioner. 

We Talked with Patti Poss and Eva Velasquez About the Following: 

1. At the ITRC, we make a distinction between identity theft – when someone steals your information – and when that stolen information is misused in some form of fraud or a scam. Most people don’t think about identity theft that way, so let’s start with the basics: What identity issues are impacting people today? What do the FTC and ITRC see, and how has that changed? 
2. In the intro, we mentioned it’s likely that 2025 saw the most data compromises reported in the U.S. in a single year. That stolen data is going to be fuel for future phishing attacks, social engineering attacks, and all manner of other fraud and scams. What should someone do if they receive a data breach notice or learn their information was found on the dark web? 
3. The FTC gets a lot of questions about the misuse of Social Security numbers (SSNs). With virtually every adult’s SSN in the wild thanks to data breaches, what do you tell them? 
4. Artificial Intelligence has made phishing lures and scams easier to create and more believable. What kind of scams is the ITRC seeing in the contact center that has people willingly – but unknowingly – giving up their information to criminals? What does the FTC recommend when someone shares personal or financial information with a scammer? 
5. How can the FTC and ITRC help people who’ve been impacted by identity theft, fraud, and scams, and how can people access those services? Are there any special services for unique populations like the military or victims of other crimes that are vulnerable to identity crimes, too? 

If you want to learn more about the FTC’s identity theft programs and all of its programs to help consumers, visit the FTC website, www.ftc.gov.  

Contact the ITRC 

If you think you have been the victim of identity theft, fraud or a scam, or you want to avoid becoming one, you can always speak with an expert ITRC advisor about your identity issues. We’re available via phone or text (888.400.5530), on our website to live chat or by email during our normal business hours (6 a.m.-5 p.m. PT). Just visit www.idtheftcenter.org to get started.  

Please hit the like button for this episode on how to prevent identity theft as it evolves, and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts. Next week, we will be back with another episode of the Fraudian Slip, when we dig into the ITRC 2025 Annual Data Breach Report. Until then, thanks for listening.