Would you like to know how to protect against identity theft online? This is the era when you need to guard your identity on the Internet as much as possible.
It is always essential for internet users to know that criminals are constantly devising new ways. Hence the need to be vigilant.
This article aims to identify the right way to protect individual data and prevent cases of identity fraud.
Identity theft is a criminal act that involves the unauthorized use of another person’s information, usually for monetary purposes.
This can also involve pilfering credit card details, Social Security numbers, or other personal information. The impacts can be dire, including loss of money, credit risks, and legal repercussions.
ALSO READ – The Benefits Of Identity Theft Protection
Now, let’s get started.
Why Is Online Identity Theft A Growing Concern?
With more and more operations being conducted electronically, identity theft is a growing concern. Some of the techniques used by cybercriminals include phishing, malware, and data breaches to obtain information.
Providing online banking, shopping, and social activity exposes users to risks if they are not wary.
What Measures You Can Take To Avoid Identity Theft?
Choose powerful And distinctive passwords.
The simplest yet most effective method of protecting your identity online is to remain vigilant and use new and robust passwords for each account you create.
Please do not use such answers as birthdays or common words, as they are easy to guess. However, set up long passwords that contain a combination of letters, numerals, and special characters.
Another tip is to use a password manager to help you keep track of your passwords in the most secure way possible.
Enable Two-Factor Authentication
2FA is an additional security measure designed to protect your accounts from unauthorized access.
Whenever the 2FA is activated, you have to enter a second factor of authentication, often a code, usually sent to your phone along with your password.
This makes it much more difficult for hackers to access your accounts, even if they know your password.
Be Cautious with Personal Information
as much as possible, ensure that you limit the amount of your personal information available online.
Do not post sensitive information on different social media platforms because cyber criminals use such information to carry out social engineering attacks.
It is always wise to ensure that the application or website is credible before you fill out any forms that require you to enter your details.
Check Your Financial Transactions As Well As Your Credit Report.
This way, ensure you scrutinize your bank and credit card statements for signs of attempted or successful identity theft.
Meanwhile, keep track of your credit files at the three major credit reference agencies: Experian, Equifax, and Trans Union.
You are licensed to get one credit report from each bureau once a year. If you notice any such errors, escalate them to the respective financial institutions or credit bureaus.
Use Secure Wi-Fi Networks
Do not use Wi-Fi networks open to other users, such as banking and shopping, among other sensitive tasks.
In contrast, public networks are not secure and are open to hackers monitoring and obtaining all the information passed through them.
However, if you must rely on public Wi-Fi, connect through a VPN that ensures all your internet sessions are secure and your data is safe.
Make Sure to Install and Update Security Software
Ensure that your devices have well-updated antivirus and anti-malware programs installed. This software can delete viruses and other malicious programs that try to gain unauthorized access to your private data.
Furthermore, always ensure you have the latest operating systems and applications updates to ward off the risks.
Learn About Phishing Scams And how To Avoid Them
Phishing is a fraudulent attempt to entice users to share personal details through fake emails, messages, etc.
It is necessary to avoid emails from strangers, and if the subject is unfamiliar, avoid providing personal information in the email and clicking links that come with the email.
Double-check the sender’s email address for any apparent signs of a phishing attempt, poor English, or overly urgent language.
If you need help, contact the company using only the authentic phone number or by accessing the company’s website.
ALSO READ – Identity Theft Without A Social Security Number
What Should You Do If You Think Your Identity Was Stolen?
- Act Quickly
If you think you have been a victim of identity theft, you must respond to the situation as soon as possible.
Some of the preventative measures include notifying your financial institutions of the suspected fraud.
They can assist you in keeping track of the accounts that have been compromised and making a move that sees further activity stopped.
- Fraud Alerts And Credit Freezes
Contact one of the major credit bureaus to put a fraud alert on your credit report. This alert requires creditors to employ additional procedures to authenticate their identity before issuing new accounts.
Also, please do not leave your credit unprotected; it is advisable to freeze your credit reports from being accessed.
A credit freeze limits who can access your credit report, preventing identity thieves from applying for credit in your name.
- Inform The Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
Report the identity theft to the FTC at IdentityTheft.gov. The FTC will prepare an identity theft report and a recovery plan that can be used to substantiate that you were a victim of identity theft.
It helps solve problems with creditors and other counteragents.
- Contact the Police
Report the case to your local law enforcement authorities by either going to the police station or making a phone call to report the case.
Take a copy of the FTC identity theft report, identification documents, and anything stolen.
You should have a police report to back you up when complaining to creditors and other related institutions.
How Can You Keep Your Identity Safe Over The Long Term?
- Stay Informed
Know the current trends in identity theft and measures that can be taken to counter them.
Some cybersecurity risks are relatively new; hence, you must familiarize yourself with the latest ways of safeguarding your details.
- Identity Theft Protection Services
It may be wise to sign up for an identity theft protection service. These services provide constant surveillance, notification of suspicious activity, and help with identity theft.
Even though these services cost some money, they offer an extra layer of protection and convenience.
What Are The First Signs Of Identity Theft?
One of the most important ways to minimize the damage done by identity theft is to detect it early enough and take swift action. Below are some common early indicators of identity theft:
- Unfamiliar Transactions On Financial Statements
It would help if you took quick action when you noticed unfamiliar transactions on your bank or credit statements.
No matter how small the charge on your account is, as long as it is unauthorized, it can indicate that an identity thief has gained access to your account information.
Therefore, regularly reviewing your financial statements would help you spot these discrepancies as early as possible.
- Unexpected Changes To Credit Reports
Checking your credit reports often is one of the best ways to identify identity theft.
Pay attention to any modifications on your credit files, including the accounts you never opened, including new accounts, credit loans that you never applied for, instances in which your credit score has dropped, and hard inquiries that you know you did not authorize.
Under federal law, you may receive one free credit report each year from the three nation’s major credit reporting agencies: Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion.
- Receiving Bills Or Collection Notices For Unknown Accounts
Receiving bills or collection notices for accounts you did not acknowledge is a clear sign that there may be an active fraudulent account in your credit report.
Contact them immediately to challenge these fees and notify the creditor or collection agency of possible identity theft.
- Missing Mail Or Unusual Mail Deliveries
Most times, these identity thieves intercept your mail to gain access to your sensitive information.
If, in a long time, you notice that you have stopped receiving the expected mail, that could be a clear sign that your mail has been tampered with.
Examples of such mail they often intercept are bank statements or bills. Another red flag is when you start receiving mail from sources you need to become more familiar with.
What you should do under such circumstances is to contact your local police to investigate what is happening.
- Alerts From Identity Theft Protection Services
If you are signed up for identity protection, you can get notifications on the use of your information that such a company deems suspicious.
These services track your credit profile and other essential details and alert you if there is any sign of identity theft.
In conclusion, paying much attention to possible identity theft signs and being ready to act in case of such occurrences is the most effective way of minimizing the consequences of identity theft.
Daily credit card statements, bank statements, and letters received should be carefully checked.
Utilizing identity theft protection services will significantly decrease the chances of identity theft and make it easier to notice the process.
ALSO READ – How To Sign Up For Identity Theft Protection
How Do I Make My Name Private On The Internet?
Maintaining privacy online is challenging, but you can take several steps to make your name more private. Here are some effective strategies:
- Adjust Social Media Privacy Settings
Consider changing the privacy settings on your social network accounts. Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn have privacy settings for their users.
Restrict the visibility of your posts, the information you provide in your profile, and your list of friends. Do not disclose any personal information and possibly use a nickname.
- Remove Personal Information From Search Engines
To minimize the appearance of your name in search engines, it is recommended that you perform a search with your name to see what information is out there on the Internet for the public to find.
Some measures include contacting the administrators of websites containing your personal information and requesting to have such information taken down.
You can employ the Google Remove Outdated Content tool to delete no longer up-to-date or relevant information.
- Opt-Out Of Data Broker Sites
Data brokers gather information on people and resell it. Opting out of such sites is advisable to avoid compromising your privacy.
Other sites, such as Whitepages, Spokeo, and PeopleFinder, offer a feature where you can request the company delete your personal information.
Although this process is quite tiresome, it ensures that a minimal amount of your personal information is collected.
- Utilize A VPN And A Private Window.
A Virtual Private Network (VPN) can help safeguard your internet connection. A VPN protects your connection, making it hard for other parties to monitor your activity.
Private browsing modes of web browsers should be used to avoid storing cookies and browsing histories.
- Limit Online Accounts
Delete or avoid creating too many accounts or profiles that use your name. You must check accounts you no longer use and remove them if possible.
It is advisable not to open new accounts, especially on suspicious sites, and never input too much information.
- Monitor Your Digital Footprint
A good suggestion is to search for your name at least once a week and assess the online content. Create Google Alerts to notify your name once there is a new mention.
If you follow these steps, your online privacy will improve substantially, and your information will be safe from hackers.
How Much Does It Cost To Remove Your Information From The Internet?
Having your information taken off the Internet could cost differently depending on the type of approach and services involved.
Self-service options are generally free but cost time and effort. You can directly approach the websites and data brokers to inform them to delete your information.
Google’s Remove Outdated Content tool, for instance, is also free.
Secured services are convenient and efficient. Other services like DeleteMe and PrivacyDuck help consumers remove their details from data brokers and other platforms.
These services typically cost between $100 to $500 per year, depending on the package acquired and the number of sites the service covers.
Legal aid in other complicated cases of removal, including the handling of defamatory content, can prove to be expensive.
Legal fees can be anywhere from a few hundred to several thousand dollars, depending on the case.
All in all, the cost can start from zero and go to a couple of hundred dollars in the case of professional service and can be much more in the case of attorney service.
ALSO READ – Tips For Identity Theft Protection
Final Thought
Now that we have established how to protect against identity theft online, keeping your identity safe involves effort and different precautions.
Through correct passwords, using two-factor authentication, personal security, and awareness, it is possible to minimize identity theft.
Do not delay if you find that your identity is stolen, and use the services available to repair your credit and recover from the fraud.