When you buy a home, you'll have to share personal and financial information with a variety of businesses and service providers. Because so much sensitive information is involved in the homeownership journey, it's important to understand how to protect yourself from identity theft and fraud.
If your personal information is stolen, it can be used to open accounts, access financial assets, or impersonate you. In some cases, fraudsters may attempt to change account information, obtain loans or credit using stolen information, or commit mortgage-related fraud. Recovering from identity theft can be expensive and time-consuming, so taking steps to protect yourself early on is especially important.
At Shellpoint, your security is a top priority. If you notice suspicious activity related to your mortgage account, contact us right away.
Click to navigate:
- How Scammers Target Homeowners
- Protect Your Personal Information Online
- Use Strong Passwords and Multi-Factor Authentication
- Secure Financial and Personal Documents
- Be Cautious With Phone Calls, Texts and Emails
- Safeguard Your Mortgage Account
- Review Credit Reports and Financial Accounts
- Be Careful on Public Wi-Fi Networks
- Protect Devices When You're Away From Home
- What To Do if You Suspect Identity Theft
- The Bottom Line
How Scammers Target Homeowners
Scammers frequently impersonate mortgage lenders, servicers, government agencies, debt collectors, or financial institutions. They may contact homeowners by phone, email, text message, or even mail in an attempt to trick them into sending money or revealing sensitive information.
Common tactics include:
- Creating a false sense of urgency
- Threatening negative consequences if you don't act immediately
- Requesting sensitive personal or financial information
- Directing you to fake websites or payment portals
If you receive an unexpected communication, contact the company directly using a verified phone number or website before providing any information.
Protect Your Personal Information Online
Identity theft can begin with stolen online information.
You can reduce your online exposure if you:
- Avoid sharing personal information, such as your birthdate, address, or financial details, on social media
- Be cautious of unexpected emails, texts, calls, or direct messages
- Never click links or download attachments from unknown senders
- Keep operating systems, apps, browsers, and antivirus programs up to date
- Review online accounts regularly for suspicious activity
Use Strong Passwords and Multi-Factor Authentication
Strong account security is one of your best defenses against identity theft.
Best practices include:
- Using a unique password for every account
- Creating passwords that combine letters, numbers, and symbols
- Avoiding personal information in passwords like birthdays or family names
- Using a password manager to generate and store passwords securely
- Enabling multi-factor authentication (MFA) whenever available
- Using biometric authentication, such as fingerprint or facial recognition, when supported
Secure Financial and Personal Documents
Identity thieves still use low-tech tactics to obtain information.
Protect yourself by:
- Retrieving mail promptly
- Placing a hold on your mail when traveling
- Storing important documents in a secure location
- Shredding documents that contain personal information before throwing them out
- Keeping mortgage, tax, insurance, and banking records out of sight from visitors
Be Cautious With Phone Calls, Texts and Emails
Before providing personal information:
- Confirm who you're communicating with
- Validate phone numbers and email addresses independently
- Hang up and call the company directly if you're unsure
- Be skeptical of urgent requests for payment or account information
Important Note
Shellpoint will never ask you to provide sensitive personal information through an unsolicited email or text message.
Safeguard Your Mortgage Account
Identity thieves sometimes target homeowners because of the equity they've built in their homes. Keep an eye on your mortgage account and watch out for:
- Unexpected account changes
- Address or contact information updates you didn't request
- Unfamiliar correspondence
- Transactions or account activity you didn't authorize
If anything appears suspicious, contact your lender or servicer immediately.
Review Credit Reports and Financial Accounts
Checking your accounts regularly can help you spot fraud early.
Be sure to:
- Review your credit reports periodically
- Monitor bank and credit card statements
- Watch for unfamiliar transactions, inquiries, or accounts
- Investigate suspicious activity immediately
Be Careful on Public Wi-Fi Networks
Unsecured public Wi‑Fi networks may increase the risk of exposing sensitive information.
When possible:
- Avoid accessing financial accounts on unsecured public Wi-Fi
- Use secure, password-protected networks
- Consider using a virtual private network (VPN) when traveling
Protect Devices When You're Away From Home
Smartphones, tablets, and laptops often contain enough information for criminals to impersonate you.
To protect yourself:
- Use device passcodes or biometric security
- Enable remote wipe or device-tracking features
- Lock devices when not in use
- Avoid leaving electronics unattended in public places
What To Do if You Suspect Identity Theft
If you believe your personal information has been compromised:
Contact Shellpoint Immediately
Reach out to us as soon as possible. We’ll review your account with you, discuss available security measures, and help you address suspicious activity.
Report the Fraud
Visit https://www.identitytheft.gov to report identity theft and receive a personalized recovery plan.
Freeze Your Credit
A credit freeze can help prevent criminals from opening new credit accounts in your name. You can contact Equifax®, Experian®, and TransUnion® to request a credit freeze.
Monitor Your Accounts
Review your mortgage account, bank accounts, credit cards, and credit reports for unauthorized activity.
Keep Documentation
Maintain records of reports, communications, and any fraudulent transactions to support your recovery efforts.
The Bottom Line
Identity theft is a real risk, but staying alert can help you protect yourself. By protecting your personal information, securing your online accounts, monitoring your financial activity, and verifying unexpected communications, you can help safeguard your finances and your credit.