It seems like every day there is a new news story about a major data breach, and with each new breach, there is a chance that more identities will be stolen. Read this article to find out how to avoid identity theft online.
How to avoid identity theft online?
Don’t tell other people about yourself
This may seem like a no-brainer, but it’s important to remember that you should never give out personal information like your Social Security number, birth date, bank account numbers, or credit card information unless you are the one starting the transaction.
Be especially careful with phone and email scams that try to get you to give out personal information.
Protect your computer
Make sure your computer has anti-virus and anti-spyware programs that are up to date.
Set your security software to automatically update so that you always have the latest protection against new threats.
And make sure that all of your online accounts have strong passwords.
Don’t open links or attachments in emails you didn’t ask for
Identity thieves often use phishing emails, which are also called malicious emails, to try to get your personal information. Often, these emails look like they came from a real company or organization. They may even have the logo of the company.
But if you click on a link in a phishing email, you might be taken to a fake website that looks real but is actually a way for the thief to get your information.
So, don’t click on the link in an unsolicited email that asks you to update your account information.
Go straight to the company’s website and log in to your account to make changes.
Pick strong passwords and don’t use them more than once
Use a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols when you set up passwords for your online accounts.
Don’t use the same password for every account you have. If you use the same password for all your accounts, a thief who gets your password for one account can get into all your other accounts as well.
Read more in How to create a stong password?
Look at your credit report often
Review your credit report often to look for signs of fraud or identity theft, like charges on your accounts that you didn’t make or accounts you didn’t open.
If you see something that seems odd, you should contact the credit bureau and the company involved.
Keep an eye on your bank accounts
In addition to checking your credit report, you should regularly check your bank, investment, and credit card accounts for unauthorized transactions.
Many banks have online and mobile tools that make it easy to see what’s going on with your account and spot any strange charges.
Don’t give your Social Security number to just anyone
The key to your financial identity is your Social Security number, so it’s important to keep it safe.
You shouldn’t give out your Social Security number unless you have to, and before you do, you should make sure you’re dealing with a trustworthy company or organization.
Shred any papers that have personal information on them
Thieves who want to steal your identity can find a lot of personal information in your trash, so it’s important to shred sensitive documents before you throw them away.
This includes things like insurance forms, bank and credit card statements, and offers of credit that have already been approved.
When you’re out and about, keep your personal information safe
Be careful about who can get to your personal information when you’re out and about.
Don’t bring your Social Security card or extra credit cards with you, and never leave your wallet or purse unattended in a public place.
Watch for signs that your identity has been stolen
There are a number of signs that you may have been a victim of identity theft. These include strange activity on your credit report, changes to your credit score that you can’t explain, bills or collection notices for accounts you didn’t open, and being denied credit for no apparent reason.
If you think your identity has been stolen, you should act quickly to lessen the damage.