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7 Identity Theft Security Tips
September 8, 2019
Identity theft involves stealing someone's personal information without their consent. It is usually done for financial gain. We live in a digital age and with improved connectivity, we are more vulnerable to crimes like identity theft.
You need to be smart and take steps for preventing malicious predators from stealing your personal information and hijacking your life. Here are some ways of protecting yourself from identity theft.
7 Identity Theft Security Tips
- Freeze or lock your credit. Locking or freezing your credit are two easy ways for limiting the use of your credit information. Freezing your credit restricts the access to your record so new credit files cannot be opened without you unfreezing your account. There is no cost for freezing and unfreezing your credit. Locking is an easier alternative to freezing your credit. It is the strongest protection to prevent identity theft. You can lock or unlock your credit via the dedicated app on your smartphone. Locking is free as well but freezing offers comparatively more legal protection.
- Safeguard your Social Security number. The master key to your personal data is your social security number. You should guard it to the best of your ability. When someone asks for your social security number, you should ask why it is required and how it will be protected. You shouldn’t carry your card with you.
- Use strong passwords. Using strong and unpredictable passwords is a good safety measure. Use random combinations of letters, special characters, and numbers. You must ensure that you use a separate password for each account. Using generic passwords like your birthday and your pet’s name are not hard passwords to guess.
- Limit how much information you share. Are strangers able to see your birthdate, family members, or full name on Facebook? Would you give personal information to a caller asking the right questions? (Recent research studies found many people are willing to trade that kind of information for a free cookie.) The answer to these questions should be no. Also, you shouldn’t click on any email links if they aren’t sent by a trusted person.
- Watch the mail. One of the easiest ways to steal an identity is to steal mail. You should ask for your mail to be held if you are out of town. You should use a U.S. Postal Service-approved lockable mailbox. You can also sign up with USPS for informed delivery, they give you a preview of your mail so you can tell if something is missing.
- Make liberal use of a shredder. You shouldn’t put any credit card or bank statements in the garbage for predators might be fishing for them. You should shred junk mail as well especially pre-approved offers of credit.
- Protect your mobile devices with passwords. Smartphones are prone to risk especially if they are not password protected. You should keep the operating system of your smartphone updated. You should use very difficult passwords and two-factor identification if available. If you are not using the Bluetooth then turn it off. Others may be able to see your data if you are using public wi-fi. When downloading apps make sure to only download from trusted stores. Apps from untrusted sources may be carrying malware which can put your smartphone at risk.
The Takeaway
Protecting yourself from identity theft begins with a solid understanding of what identity theft actually is, and then ultimately coming up with a forward-thinking plan that aims to wall off identity thieves from your personal data.
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