Identity Theft: How to Solve the Mystery (with Axton Betz-Hamilton)

Identity theft isn’t something most of us think about until it happens to us or someone close to us. Having your identity stolen is a scary violation made even worse when it’s someone you love and trust. In this show, my guest is unfortunately very familiar with identity theft. Axton Betz-Hamilton is an Assistant Professor of Consumer Affairs at South Dakota State University. Her research focuses on financial abuse within families, including familial identity theft and elder family financial exploitation. She’s the author of The Less People Know About Us: A Mystery of Betrayal, Family Secrets, and Stolen Identity, which received the 2020 Edgar Award for Best Fact Crime. She is sharing the story behind her book and personal experience as a victim of familial theft.

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Identity Theft Episode Details

The story behind A Mystery of Betrayal, Family Secrets, and Stolen Identity
Fears caused by identity theft
The moment Axton learned her identity was stolen
Axton’s long road to discovering who stole her identity
How Axton’s experience shaped her career to helping others with identity theft
Common red flags or indicators
The first steps you should take if you realize your credit is stolen
What familial identity theft is
How consumers can protect their credit
How you can avoid or protect yourself from family identity theft
The long-term impacts on your credit and mindset
Who stole Axton’s identity (someone close to her!)

Identity Theft: How to Solve the Mystery Resources

The Less People Know About Us: A Mystery of Betrayal, Family Secrets, and Stolen Identity by Axton Betz-Hamilton
Annual Credit Report (where to get a free copy of your credit report)
The Escape Artist by Helen Fremont

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