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You’re at high risk
We found your personal information on the dark web and on data broker sites.
LifeLock Total
No one can prevent all cybercrime or prevent all identity theft.
- Price valid for introductory term. After that, your price will renew at the standard price.
- Your subscription begins immediately after your transaction is complete. A payment method is required at sign-up for trials, and you will be charged at the end of your trial, unless canceled first.
- Prices are subject to change and may be charged up to 35 days prior to renewal. Cancel here or contact Member Services.
- Restrictions apply. Automatically renewing subscription required. If you're a victim of identity theft and not satisfied with our resolution, you may receive a refund for the current term of your subscription. See lifelock.norton.com/guarantee for complete details.
††† Up to $1 million coverage for Lawyers and Experts included with all plans. Reimbursement and expense compensation vary according to plan. Insurance benefits are issued by third parties. See lifelock.norton.com/legal for policy info.
1 Bureau Monitoring and Monthly Credit Report and Score / 3 Bureau Monitoring and Monthly Credit Report and Score.
2 Credit Lock cannot prevent all account takeovers, unauthorized account openings, or credit file inquiries. Deactivates if you downgrade or cancel your subscription.
7 Scam protection coverage as part of identity theft benefits is currently available to all customers residing in the United States, including U.S. territories and the District of Columbia, with the exception of residents of New York. Gen Digital is not a licensed insurance producer. Benefits under the Master Policy are issued and covered by HSB Specialty Insurance Company. You can find further details and exclusions in the summary of benefits.
8 After setup, automatic data broker removal service scans and requests removal every 90 days.
You’re at medium risk
We found your personal information on data broker sites.
LifeLock Advanced
No one can prevent all cybercrime or prevent all identity theft.
- Price valid for introductory term. After that, your price will renew at the standard price.
- Your subscription begins immediately after your transaction is complete. A payment method is required at sign-up for trials, and you will be charged at the end of your trial, unless canceled first.
- Prices are subject to change and may be charged up to 35 days prior to renewal. Cancel here or contact Member Services.
- Restrictions apply. Automatically renewing subscription required. If you're a victim of identity theft and not satisfied with our resolution, you may receive a refund for the current term of your subscription. See lifelock.norton.com/guarantee for complete details.
††† Up to $1 million coverage for Lawyers and Experts included with all plans. Reimbursement and expense compensation vary according to plan. Insurance benefits are issued by third parties. See lifelock.norton.com/legal for policy info.
1 Bureau Monitoring and Monthly Credit Report and Score / 3 Bureau Monitoring and Monthly Credit Report and Score.
2 Credit Lock cannot prevent all account takeovers, unauthorized account openings, or credit file inquiries. Deactivates if you downgrade or cancel your subscription.
7 Scam protection coverage as part of identity theft benefits is currently available to all customers residing in the United States, including U.S. territories and the District of Columbia, with the exception of residents of New York. Gen Digital is not a licensed insurance producer. Benefits under the Master Policy are issued and covered by HSB Specialty Insurance Company. You can find further details and exclusions in the summary of benefits.
8 After setup, automatic data broker removal service scans and requests removal every 90 days.
Good news!
We didn’t find your personal information across millions of records or on public data sources.
Lifelock Core
No one can prevent all cybercrime or prevent all identity theft.
- Price valid for introductory term. After that, your price will renew at the standard price.
- Your subscription begins immediately after your transaction is complete. A payment method is required at sign-up for trials, and you will be charged at the end of your trial, unless canceled first.
- Prices are subject to change and may be charged up to 35 days prior to renewal. Cancel here or contact Member Services.
- Restrictions apply. Automatically renewing subscription required. If you're a victim of identity theft and not satisfied with our resolution, you may receive a refund for the current term of your subscription. See lifelock.norton.com/guarantee for complete details.
††† Up to $1 million coverage for Lawyers and Experts included with all plans. Reimbursement and expense compensation vary according to plan. Insurance benefits are issued by third parties. See lifelock.norton.com/legal for policy info.
1 Credit features require successful setup, identity verification, and sufficient credit history by the appropriate credit bureau. Credit monitoring features may take several days to activate after enrollment.
2 Identity Lock cannot prevent all account takeovers, unauthorized account openings, or credit file inquiries. Deactivates if you downgrade or cancel your subscription.
8 After setup, automatic data broker removal service scans and requests removal every 90 days.
What is spousal identity theft?
Spousal identity theft occurs when a spouse uses your personal information—such as your Social Security number, credit card, or bank account details—without your consent to open new lines of credit, rack up debt, or commit fraud. Imagine finding out your spouse has opened several credit cards in your name, maxed them out, and left you to deal with the damage. Unfortunately, this scenario isn’t as rare as it should be.
Many victims of spousal identity theft face a unique dilemma: while they want to stop the fraud, they may hesitate to take legal action against someone they love. This reluctance can make it harder to recover from the financial and emotional turmoil.
What to do if your spouse stole your identity
If you suspect or know that your spouse has stolen your identity, it’s important to act quickly to protect your financial well-being. The good news is that there are concrete steps you can take to regain control:
1. Freeze your credit: Contact the major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) and request a credit freeze. This prevents anyone from opening new lines of credit in your name without your authorization.
2. Set up fraud alerts: Place a fraud alert on your credit report. This alerts creditors that they should take extra steps to verify your identity before approving new credit.
3. Report fraud to the FTC: File an identity theft report with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The FTC will guide you through creating a recovery plan, which is an essential step in documenting the fraud.
4. Review your credit report: Go through your credit reports carefully to spot any unauthorized accounts or activity. You’re entitled to a free report from each credit bureau once a year at AnnualCreditReport.com.
5. File a police report: While it may be difficult to report a loved one, filing a police report creates an official record of the crime, which you may need when working with creditors or legal representatives.
6. Get legal counsel: Seek advice from a lawyer who specializes in financial or family law. They can help you understand your legal options, whether you choose to pursue charges or seek other forms of resolution.
7. Use identity theft protection services: Consider signing up for an identity theft protection service like LifeLock. These services monitor your information, alert you to suspicious activity, and assist with recovery if fraud occurs.
Signs your spouse stole your identity
Spousal identity theft can be hard to detect, especially if you share financial accounts. However, certain red flags can signal something’s wrong:
- Unexplained account activity: You notice charges or withdrawals from your account that you didn’t authorize.
- New lines of credit: Unexpected credit card or loan accounts appear on your credit report.
- Debt collector calls: You start receiving calls from debt collectors about accounts you didn’t open.
- Changes in account information: Your bank or credit card account details are updated without your knowledge.
- Unfamiliar deliveries in your name: Packages or bills for purchases you didn’t make start showing up at your doorstep.
- Declined credit applications: You’re denied credit because of debts you weren’t aware of, or your credit score suddenly drops.
How to protect yourself from spousal identity theft
While you can’t always prevent someone close to you from betraying your trust, there are steps you can take to minimize your risk of spousal identity theft:
- Monitor your financial accounts: Regularly review your bank and credit card statements for unauthorized activity.
- Keep an eye on your credit: Check your credit reports frequently and look for unfamiliar accounts or changes.
- Create account alerts: Set up alerts for your financial accounts to be notified of large transactions or changes in personal details.
- Maintain financial independence: Keep separate bank accounts and credit cards, even if you share some joint accounts.
- Limit sharing of personal information: Be cautious about sharing sensitive details, even with a spouse. Ensure that your personal documents are securely stored.
- Invest in identity theft protection: A trusted identity theft protection service can offer an extra layer of defense by helping you monitor your information.
Reclaiming your financial security
Discovering spousal identity theft can feel overwhelming, but with the right steps, you can start to rebuild your financial stability and regain your peace of mind. If you’re ready to take control, consider investing in an identity theft protection service like LifeLock. With advanced monitoring and restoration support, LifeLock can help ensure that your future is safer and more secure.
FAQs About Spousal Identity Theft
Is spousal identity theft a crime?
Yes, spousal identity theft is illegal, even though it involves a close personal relationship. Victims have the right to report the crime and seek restitution.
What is the punishment for spousal identity theft?
Penalties vary by jurisdiction, but spousal identity theft can result in fines, restitution, and even imprisonment, depending on the severity of the fraud.
Can my spouse use my credit card without my permission?
No, using your credit card without your permission is considered fraud, even if you’re married.
What happens if my spouse steals my identity?
If your spouse steals your identity, you may face financial loss, damaged credit, and emotional distress. Taking swift action to report the fraud and protect your accounts is essential.
Editors’ note: Our articles provide educational information about identity theft, scams, financial fraud, and other topics that can put your identity or personal accounts at risk. LifeLock offerings may not cover or protect against every type of crime, fraud, scam, or threat we write about. For more details about how we write, review, and update our articles, see our Editorial Policy.