In 2022 my wallet was stolen. Within an hour someone had purchased liquor, cigarettes, and a prepaid cell phone. This thief had priorities.
Months later I received a call from a 213 number that the caller ID said was "The City of Los Angeles." When I answered, the person on the other end asked if I was James. I said "Yes," and then he hung up. The next day Lifelock, my credit and identity monitoring account, alerted me that an AT&T account had been opened. That's when I realized my data had been compromised. Someone had taken my ID, got my social security number from the dark web, and was trying to use my identity.
I'm one of the lucky ones. Because I had credit and identity monitoring software, I was quickly able to stop the thief from assuming my full identity and wreaking havoc on my life.
The internet is an amazing place that can equally empower us and expose our vulnerabilities. In today's cyber world, there is a new hack (that we are made aware of) at least weekly. Over the July 4, 2024 weekend, we learned that one of the biggest data leaks in history occurred where over 10 billion passwords were exposed onto the dark web.
Below I'm going to show you how to protect your identity in the cyber age where every single personal detail about your life, finances, and identity is available and vulnerable online.*
STEP 1: Get a credit & identity monitoring service ASAP
I have used Lifelock for years. It's pretty good. Around $30 a month at the time of this writing. It works well and will serve you well. It alerts you to new accounts that have been opened, when your email or social security number is found on the dark web, and when a company (like AT&T) has had a data breach/leak. It will monitor your health accounts, driver's license, and even your social accounts. If somebody opens a new account under your name or if a company has a data leak then you’ll get a notification. And you can sign up for the family account and even monitor your children's or parent's accounts.
I recently decided to try Aura to monitor my credit and identity. In some ways, I like it better because a) pricing, b) the alerts are in real-time, and c) Aura includes a password generator and antivirus all in one. (Aura has its cons too, like LifeLock, but do your own research to see which is right for you.) I have decided to keep both for different reasons.
STEP 2: Freeze your credit, chex systems, NCTUE Utilities
You heard me right. Freeze your credit, chex systems, and NCTUE for utilities.
Transunion, Experian, and Equifax are the 3 major credit reporting bureaus. To get a loan, a new phone, or open a new line of credit companies will need to run your credit report. Freezing your credit essentially closes your credit to creditors, and stops thieves from opening new lines of credit under your identity. Set up your free accounts with all 3 credit bureaus or call them to freeze and unfreeze credit. Read more here. (Hint: Lifelock allows you to freeze and unfreeze credit within the app.)
But don't stop with the credit bureaus. You'll also need to freeze Chex Systems, which is very important. Chex Systems is a bank reporting agency used sometimes to verify your identity and open new bank accounts. Freeze it.
The NCTUE is The National Consumer Telecom and Utilities Exchange and is the bureau at play when opening a new telecommunications and home utility account. Freeze NCTUE to prevent thieves from opening utilities under your identity.
If you need to apply for a new loan or open a utility or new account then simply unfreeze the necessary agency momentarily during the check and then refreeze it immediately after. All for free.
STEP 3: Run your credit report
You are legally entitled to 1 free credit report from all 3 bureaus annually. Your credit report will show all accounts opened under your name. Credit cards, car loans, home loans...everything. This will show you if there are any items opened under your name that you are currently not aware of. Get your annual credit report for free.
STEP 4: Get secured on the internet
The internet can be a dangerous place. Clicking the wrong link can infect your computer or phone and make them vulnerable to hackers. Use an antivirus software like AVG that includes malware & ransomware protection, *VPN, and anti-tracking. Also, I suggest people use something like Malwarebytes in addition to antivirus software if your antivirus doesn't offer it. Both will keep you protected on the net.
(VPN = Virtually Private Network. Imagine the internet is a highway. Data (emails, banking transactions, the passwords you use to log in to online accounts) cars on that highway. If you are using your private home wifi along with your antivirus software then it's not a problem. However when you log on to that free public wifi at Starbucks or the airport, there are any number of other people using that very public network, and they may be able to gain access to your data. A VPN helps shield your data that's moving along that public network's highway, making it much harder for hackers to obtain your data.)
STEP 5: Don't save passwords on your internet browser
Internet Browsers are hackable, and that's why it's not safe to save your passwords on your browser. Software like Keeper Security analyzes all of your passwords and tells you which ones are vulnerable. This app also generates extremely secure and encrypted passwords for all of your accounts and it synchs to your phone, computer, and browser. Anytime there is a data breach then it's time to change your password!
STEP 6: Get an IRS Pin
Getting an IRS Pin keeps thieves from filing tax returns under your Social Security Number. Read more here.
STEP 7: Sign up for USPS Informed Delivery
Did you know that thieves can go to the post office and file for mail forwarding from your address? It's true. Signing up on USPS for Informed Delivery (free) allows you to be informed of tracking and changes that occur to your account.
STEP 8: Be careful when answering unknown numbers, emails, or texts
Hackers and thieves have become more and more sophisticated. Not only are they emailing you, but they call and text now!
Emails: When you receive an email that's claiming you made a purchase or that seems suspicious then look at the incoming email address. Usually the incoming email address is a dead giveaway that it's a scam. T-Mobile will not be sending you a bill from a susandesigns665@hotmail.com email address. Never ever click on links or files in those emails that you suspect might be a scam. Doing so could infect your computer or phone with hacking malware.
Phone Calls: Scammers sometimes call you to simply get you to say YES so they can record your voice. Your voice can be used in some instances to open new accounts. Instead of saying "YES" when asked to confirm your identity, first ask "Who is calling, please?" Don't haphazardly identify yourself to an unknown person over the phone. Ever. If it's the random person offering to lower your credit, give you an extended warranty, calling about your social security claim or IRS bax taxes then just hang up. Banks, credit cards, the IRS, and The Social Security Admin will never call you. They'll either mail or email you.
Texts: Have you received a text from someone trying to strike up a conversation? Or what about a text from amazon or USPS asking you to click on a link for something you didn't order? On the other end of these texts are scammers trying to phish for information that could help them gain access to your device or financial accounts. Do not respond. Mark as junk and block those numbers.
STEP 9: 2 Factor Authentication
Two factor authentication is an option you can add to all of your online accounts that sends a confirmation number to your cell phone everytime you login to one of your accounts. It’s a 2nd layer of confirmation that it is indeed you logging in to your account.
Opt in or turn on 2 factor authentication for all your accounts. Especially banking and finance accounts, healthcare, and email accounts.
Conclusion:
Cyber crimes and identity theft are at an all-time high. The need to protect your online data and safeguard your internet activities is more important than ever before. Thieves and hackers are always finding new ways to steal, but following some or all of these steps above makes you much less of a target.
*Please note that I am not a financial advisor, cyber security advisor, or even a computer geek. In no way do I guarantee that following all these steps will make you fully unhackable and secure. Do your own research and proceed at your own discretion when protecting & securing your identity.
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