14 Things Hackers Can Do with Your Data

iStock.com/Kenishirotie

4. Collect Your Government Benefits

If you receive any kind of benefits from the government, a hacker who has assumed your identity can steal them. This apply to all kinds of benefits, including disability, retirement, and child welfare. Usually, society’s most vulnerable are often targets for these types of scams. If you’re benefits stop showing up in your checking account, it’s possible that a hacker has rerouted your money to be sent to their own bank account instead. If your retirement funds have been stolen, you might not find out until it’s too late, too. Imagine if you’ve opted to receive your retirement funds at age 67, using your social security number a hacker could make a deposit much earlier leaving you retired and poor. To avoid this, or notice it early, keep an eye on your social security account once or twice a year by making sure everything looks as if it should.

---------- Advertisement ----------