How to Protect Your Identity in 2022

Due to the amount of personal data people have on their online accounts, it’s easy for hackers to create fake profiles and steal their identities.

Identity theft is fraud that occurs when a criminal uses a person’s personal information to gain a financial advantage. This usually involves stealing their social security number and other personal details. This guide will teach you how to protect yourself from identity theft.

Identity Theft: How does it happen?

Today, many transactions are conducted online. You can shop for goods and services online, manage your health insurance, and make claims online. You can also dump your personal information into social media profiles.

Criminals can also easily steal your identity by making simple transactions online. They don’t need to have much personal information to carry out fraud.

Protect Social Security Card

Your social security number is one of the most critical factors you should consider when protecting yourself from identity theft. Never bring it with you unless you need it, and keep it in a safe deposit box.

Password Awareness

Never enter your passwords differently while you’re logged in to your bank or insurance. A customer service representative rarely asks you to provide them with your password via phone or email. Instead, create long and complex passwords that are more likely to be cracked or guessed by brute force attacks.

Paper Trail

It would be best if you also were very protective of your bills and statements, as pieces of them can be used to steal your identity. If you have a locked mailbox, you can efficiently deliver your bills and statements to your home or office. If you’re away from home, have friends or family deliver your mail to ensure that essential documents are not sitting on the counter. When you’re ready to throw away your bills, make sure they are shredded.

Keep an Eye on Bank Accounts and Cards

One of the most effective ways to prevent yourself from being a victim of identity theft is by regularly monitoring your spending activity. A quick scan of your purchases can help you identify which ones you should be aware of. Ask your credit card and bank to provide you with additional fraud protections. Most banks and credit card companies are more likely to spot suspicious activity.

Credit Score

Your credit report is a good overview of your financial health and should be regularly checked. It’s not something you’ll be able to monitor every day, but it can help you keep an eye on the things you’re unaware of.

Software Protection

One of the first steps in protecting yourself from identity theft is to safeguard your digital data. Monitoring all your online transactions is very important; that is where criminals try to access your information. In addition to avoiding fraudulent websites, you should install a good antivirus program to protect you from various threats.

Takeaway

Getting hit by identity theft can be very frustrating for victims, as they must fight for years to get their records back from the fraudsters. Protecting your personal information is also essential to prevent it from being stolen.

You should also be very careful when surfing the Internet, as it can help criminals access your information. Having a strong antivirus can help keep you from getting victimized.

About Efrat Cohen-Barbieri:

Efrat Cohen-Barbieri has an innate ability to solve problems using hyper-keen observation skills, intelligence gathering, and attention to detail. As a licensed Investigator and certified identity theft risk specialist, Efrat goes above and beyond to fix outlets of concern and vulnerabilities for her clients. Efrat is a specialist in business investigations, background inquiries, social networking research, and asset management. In addition, Efrat’s ability to speak both Hebrew and English makes her an invaluable asset abroad when it comes to foreign investigations. Her extensive experience managing, controlling, and directing surveillance operations helps in the deployment of covert and undercover operations as well.