Trouble arises following data loss: strategies to address identity theft
In today's digital age, protecting personal data from identity theft is more important than ever. Here are some essential best practices to help you safeguard your information and respond promptly if a breach occurs.
1. Protect Your Devices and Accounts
- Install and regularly update antivirus software and use a firewall to guard against malware and unauthorized access.
- Use strong, unique passwords for each online account, incorporating uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) whenever possible to add an extra layer of security.
- Secure your mobile phone and tablets with passwords, fingerprint, or facial recognition features.
- Avoid using public Wi-Fi for sensitive transactions; if necessary, use a virtual private network (VPN).
2. Secure Personal Documents and Information
- Keep sensitive documents such as Social Security cards, financial statements, and Medicare cards in a secure place; do not carry your Social Security card with you.
- Shred financial statements, pre-approved credit offers, and any mail containing personal information before disposing of them to prevent mail theft.
- Collect your mail daily and place holds on mail delivery when away from home.
3. Monitor Your Financial Activity Regularly
- Review bank and credit card statements monthly for suspicious or unauthorized transactions and report any to your financial institution immediately.
- Check your credit report at least once a year through official sources (e.g., AnnualCreditReport.com) to detect new or fraudulent accounts opened in your name.
- Be attentive to bill arrival timing; missing bills might indicate address changes by identity thieves.
4. Recognize and Avoid Phishing and Scams
- Do not respond to unsolicited phone calls, emails, texts, or social media messages asking for personal information.
- Be wary of suspicious emails or websites, and never click on unfamiliar links or attachments.
- Only share your Social Security number or other sensitive data when absolutely necessary, and ask why and how it will be protected.
5. Report Identity Theft Immediately
- Contact your bank, credit card issuers, and any affected institutions to report unauthorized activity.
- File an Identity Theft Affidavit with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) through IdentityTheft.gov if you suspect theft.
- Report tax-related identity theft using IRS Form 14039 if needed.
- Consider placing a fraud alert or credit freeze with credit reporting agencies to prevent further unauthorized account openings.
Following these steps helps both prevent identity theft and ensures prompt action if your information is compromised online.
- Only share personal information when absolutely necessary.
- Generally, decline friendship requests from strangers.
- Be cautious with email handling, do not open attachments or links from unknown senders.
- Victims of identity theft can register with the Schufa's protection database.
- Always install updates for operating systems, programs, and apps as soon as possible, and enable automatic updates where possible.
- Enhance your personal-finance security by being cautious with email handling, declining friendship requests from strangers, and not opening attachments or links from unknown senders.
- Ensure technology-driven personal-finance safety by installing updates for operating systems, programs, and apps as soon as possible, and by registering with Schufa's protection database if you're a victim of identity theft.
