Don’t Let Your Identity Get Stolen

Date:

Trending

Identity theft is getting more common. Thirty-three percent of Americans have already been victims. You don’t want to join them if you can help it.

- Advertisement -

While you should really have resources at your disposal to help you cope in the aftermath of identity theft, it can still be hard to recover from. It can wreck your credit, at least temporarily, and have creditors pounding down your door, at least until you can show them a police report.

Don’t let your identity get stolen. Follow these tips to keep your personal information safe – and thwart thieves who would try to steal your information for their own financial gain.

- Advertisement -

Watch Out for Phishing Attacks

If you don’t know how to avoid phishing attacks, it’s time to learn. Identity thieves use phishing emails, texts, and phone calls to try to scam you out of personal information so they can access your accounts, borrow money in your name, use your health benefits, and more.

These messages may ask you to follow a link to sign into your account and fix a problem. They’re actually using a mirror site to steal your login credentials. Learn how to avoid these kinds of attacks to protect your bank, shopping, and other accounts.

Protect Your Social Security Number

Your Social Security number is the most private of all your private information. A thief could use it to borrow money or open up credit cards in your name, use your medical benefits, get a driver’s license in your name, and more. Keep your Social Security card in a safe place – don’t carry it around with you. Be careful who you share the number with.

Always Use Unique, Strong Passwords

A unique, strong password is one that an identity thief will have a hard time guessing or cracking, and that could deter all but the most dedicated efforts. A strong password will be at least 14 characters long, with a unique combination of special characters, letters, and numbers. You should change your password every 60 to 90 days or sooner if it’s been compromised in some way.

Use Transaction Alerts

Transaction alerts let you know when a transaction is posted to your bank or credit card accounts. If someone steals your card or account information, transaction alerts will let you know about suspicious activity from the very first transaction. That’s better than waking up in the morning to a drained bank account or a maxed-out card.

Monitor Your Mail

Identity thieves often steal mail in order to gain access to personal information or to use those pre-approved credit card offers you might sometimes get in the mail. Sign up for Informed Delivery so you’ll see what you’re supposed to be getting and you’ll know if anything goes missing from your mailbox.

Shred Your Statements

Bank statements, credit card statements, and other such documentation contain a lot of personal information. You should always shred private documents before disposing of them. But don’t forget to read them first – you might notice suspicious activity on one of your accounts when you do.

Lock Your Mobile Device

Plenty of people get so caught up in protecting themselves online that they forget about physical security. Your mobile device contains all kinds of personal information and could give a thief access to your email, social media accounts, banking apps, and credit card apps. Use the lock screen so that if your phone gets lost or stolen, you’ll at least have a chance to wipe it remotely before the thieves access it.

Use Identity Theft Protection

A good identity theft protection suite offers features like dark web monitoring, so you can know immediately if your personal information is compromised on the dark web. You’ll also get social media monitoring, email filtering, and more. Perhaps most importantly, most services offer you a live helpline and insurance coverage to help you repair the damage identity theft can leave behind.

Consider Freezing Your Credit

If you’re not able to monitor your own credit closely, you’re at high risk of having your identity stolen, or you’re simply paranoid, you can have your credit frozen. Just call up one of the three major credit reporting bureaus – Experian, Transunion, or Equifax – and tell them you want to put a freeze on your credit. No one will be able to take out any credit in your name as long as the freeze is in place.

The downside is that “no one” includes you. You won’t be able to get a mortgage or open a credit card, or anything else that requires credit, without calling and having the freeze removed.

It may not always be possible to avoid identity theft, but you can dodge it most of the time when you use the right precautions. Safeguard your identifying information carefully, and protect your finances from thieves.

THE SNAPSHOTS

Sign up to get quick snaps of everyday happening, directly in your inbox.

We don’t spam! Read our privacy policy for more info.

- Advertisement -

Support our independent journalism PayPal (Outside India) For PayU (For Indian Readers).

Krishna Mali
Krishna Mali
Founder & Group Editor of TechGraph.

More Latest Stories

More Articles

Onlygood AI CEO Rajeev Sinha on Future of AI-Driven ESG Data and Supply Chain Transparency

Speaking to TechGraph, Rajeev Sinha, CEO & Co-founder of Onlygood.ai, shares insights on how his company is helping smaller businesses leverage AI and IoT...

Vishal Puri On Spalba’s Tech-Driven Approach To Venue Booking & Planning

Speaking to TechGraph, Vishal Puri, Co-Founder of Spalba, explains how its platform uses technologies like Digital Twins and real-time analytics to provide event planners with interactive previews while giving venue owners deep data to optimize sales and marketing strategies and help event planners make...

INTERVIEW: ADDA’s Krishanu Mukherjee on Transforming Gated Communities

In an interview with TechGraph, Krishanu Mukherjee, AVP of Growth at ADDA.io, explained how...

Choosing the Right Tax Consultant: A Guide for Businesses and Individuals

For both individuals and businesses, tax planning and compliance are crucial aspects of financial...

Wired vs. Wireless Headsets: A Comparative Guide for Evolving Audio Needs

Across a wide range of demographics, including gamers, fitness enthusiasts, business executives, and remote...

The Rise of Conversational AI: What It Means for Tech and SaaS Businesses

Back in the time, when AI was not as prominent, businesses used to struggle...

Union Budget 2025-26 Reactions: EV Makers Welcome Tax Relief and Infrastructure Investments

India’s electric vehicle industry has welcomed the Union Budget 2025-26, citing exemptions on capital...

Healthcare Reactions to Budget 2025-26: Experts Back Investments in Cancer Care & AI but Call for Broader Mental Health Policies

The Union Budget 2025-26, presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, has drawn mixed reactions...

Life Insurance Death Benefit Payouts: What Your Family Needs to Know

It is important to know more about life insurance policies and their operational modalities. The most important factor is, of course, the pre-fixed insurer...

Preparing Your Staff To Host A Successful Business Event In Another City

A business event, a convention, and exhibition, a trade show - all of these...

TradeFT Review: Comprehensive Platform Overview 2025

The financial markets are abuzz with some pretty exciting developments as 2025 gets underway,...

Krikya Bangladesh Casino App Review

The Krikya app delivers a seamless and engaging mobile gambling experience for users of...

Union Budget 2025-26: MSME Leaders Back Investment Limit Hike, Call E-Shram Expansion Crucial

The MSME sector has responded positively to the Union Budget 2025-26, with experts highlighting...

From GCC & AI to DeepTech Investments: How Tech Experts React to the Union Budget 2025

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s Union Budget 2025-26 has drawn mixed reactions from technology industry leaders, particularly on the government’s push for deep tech and...

Union Budget 2025-26 Reactions: Education Sector Applauds AI, Skilling Initiatives but Flags Funding Gaps

India’s education sector leaders have responded to the Union Budget 2025-26 with optimism and concern. While the budget introduces key measures such as 50,000 new Atal Tinkering Labs, AI-focused Centres of Excellence, and broadband expansion in government schools, some experts argue that the ₹1.28...

Union Budget 2025: India’s AI Budget Allocation Stirs Mixed Reactions

India’s Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's announcement of a ₹500 crore fund for a Centre...

Union Budget 2025: Investors, Startups React to Govt’s Push for Fund of Funds, FSS Scheme and Deeptech

The Union Budget 2025, presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday, has drawn...

AI in Skill Development: What Budget 2025 Should Do to Close the Workforce Skills Gap

India, with its vast pool of young talent, faces a significant challenge: a widening...

Union Budget 2025 Expectations: Hospitality Sector Urges Budget Support for Tourism Growth and Workforce Development

With the Union Budget 2025 on the horizon, hospitality sector leaders are calling for...

Cash out Tether USDT to Renminbi in Guangzhou

If you need to quickly and safely Cash out Tether USDT to Renminbi in...

Union Budget 2025 Expectations: Insurance Sector Eyes Tax Incentives, Sops to Expand Health Insurance Reach

As Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman prepares to present the Union Budget 2025 on February...

Solar, Renewable Sector Expects Tax Breaks, Subsidies for BESS & Solar Financing Reform From Budget 2025

As Union Budget 2025 approaches, renewable energy leaders are urging Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman...

Gaming Industry Eyes Budget 2025 for Relief on GST and Boosted AVGC Support

With the Union Budget just days away, the gaming sector is growing hopeful that...

Adoption of Low Code Platforms by MSMEs for Operational Efficiency of Their Supply Chains

Micro, small, and medium enterprises are the backbone of the world and account for...

Krikya Bangladesh Casino App Review

The Krikya app delivers a seamless and engaging mobile gambling experience for users of...

Union Budget 2025: Medical Education Seats Increased by 130% in 10 Years; 10,000 More to Be Added

Education sector Budget LIVE: Presenting the Union Budget 2025-26, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced...

Union Budget 2025: Kisan Credit Card Loan Limit Increased to ₹5 Lakh Under Modified Interest Subvention Scheme

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, in her Union Budget 2025-26 speech, announced an increase in...

Union Budget 2025 LIVE: FM Sitharaman Announces Reforms in Finance Sector; Increases FDI Limit to 100%

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, while presenting the Union Budget for 2025-26 in Parliament today,...

Union Budget LIVE: Finance Minsiter Nirmala Sitharaman Tables India’s Budget for 2025-26

LIVE Union Budget Coverage: The Union Budget 2025, set to be presented by Finance...

Union Budget 2025-26: MSME Leaders Back Investment Limit Hike, Call E-Shram Expansion Crucial

The MSME sector has responded positively to the Union Budget 2025-26, with experts highlighting...

Gaming Industry Eyes Budget 2025 for Relief on GST and Boosted AVGC Support

With the Union Budget just days away, the gaming sector is growing hopeful that...

Budget 2025: Tax Reforms, Infrastructure Financing, and NBFC Support Top Budget Wishlist

As Budget 2025 approaches, experts from the NBFC, finance, and business sectors are voicing...

Adoption of Low Code Platforms by MSMEs for Operational Efficiency of Their Supply Chains

Micro, small, and medium enterprises are the backbone of the world and account for...