Outsmart hackers who are out to steal your identity

Did you know that identity theft occurs every 22 seconds? This means that by the time you finish reading this sentence, someone’s identity has likely been stolen. At best, identity theft will steal your time and patience. But more often than not, identity theft leads to serious consequences, such as losing control of your financial accounts, having your credit score affected, or even losing your lifelong savings.
However, you don’t have to be a statistician. By understanding how identity thieves work and implementing smart security strategies, you can make your personal data a bulwark for cybercriminals to penetrate. Drawing from The latest insights from the FTC’s Identity Theft Awareness Week.I’ll walk you through expert-backed strategies to protect your most valuable asset: your identity.
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Illustration of a hacker at work (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutson)
Lesson 1: Identity theft is more common than you think
With so much of our lives shifting online, identity thieves are having an easier time than ever. Your most important accounts — banking, credit, and Social Security — are all digital. Thieves don’t need to know much about you to steal your identity; some personal information may be enough. According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics. 24 million Americans reported their identity stolen in the past 12 months. in their lives, 1 in 3 Americans (over 110 million people) have experienced identity theft. Here’s the part that a lot of people don’t realize: You may have already been a target. Maybe your identity was stolen, the thieves failed, or maybe your good online habits saved you without you knowing it, which brings us to the next lesson: prevention.

Illustration of a hacker at work (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutson)
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Lesson 2: You can protect yourself from identity theft
You don’t need to spend a fortune to protect against identity theft. While professional services can be helpful, most of what you need comes down to better habits and awareness. Here are some simple steps you can take today:
1) Check your accounts regularly: Review your bank, credit card, and Social Security accounts for transactions you didn’t make, failed login attempts, and password reset requests you didn’t initiate.
2) Monitor your mail: Look for messages about accounts you didn’t open, notifications of data breaches, and transaction summaries that don’t match your records.
3) Monitor your email inbox: Be wary of password reset emails you didn’t request, confirmation of new accounts you didn’t open, and receipts for purchases you didn’t make.
4) Use two-factor authentication (2FA): 2FA It adds extra layers of security to your accounts. Even if a thief has your password, they won’t be able to log in without a second step, such as a code sent via text message or app-based verification. Although it may take extra time to log in, it is worth it; 2FA technology greatly increases account security.
5) Check your credit report annually: Visit AnnualCreditReport.com to get your free credit report once a year. Use it to detect suspicious activity early. If you see something unusual, take action immediately.
6) Use strong passwords: Use complex passwords and Password manager To secure your online accounts. Strong passwords are your first line of defense against cyber threats.
7) Stop oversharing: Limit the personal information you share on social media and other platforms. It is a treasure trove for cybercriminals who use it to craft convincing scam campaigns that specifically target you.

Illustration of the need for digital security (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutson)
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Lesson 3: Know what to do if identity theft occurs
Nearly half of Americans don’t know how to respond if they are a victim of identity theft. Acting quickly can make a big difference. Here’s what to do:
1) Contact the affected institution: Contact the company immediately if you notice something unusual, such as a suspicious charge or an unfamiliar account. They will guide you through securing your account.
2) Change your passwords: Update the password for the affected account and any other account that uses the same credentials. Use strong, unique passwords for each account to avoid further risks.
3) Report the theft to the FTC: Visit IdentityTheft.gov To report identity theft and get personalized recovery steps.
4) Use an identity theft protection service: Identity theft companies can monitor personal information such as your Social Security number, phone number, and email address and alert you if it is sold on the dark web or used to open an account. They can also help you freeze your bank and credit card accounts to prevent further unauthorized use by criminals.
One of the best parts of using some services is that they may include identity theft insurance worth up to $1 million to cover losses, legal fees, and a fraud resolution team where a US-based case manager helps you recover any losses. Check out my tips and top picks on how to protect yourself from identity theft.
Bonus tip: Invest in personal data removal services
Data breaches often start with personal information that is readily available online. People search sites and data brokers collect and sell this information, including your name, address, phone number, and more. Can you remove your data? Yes, but it’s difficult. These companies don’t make it easy, and managing takedown requests for hundreds of sites can be overwhelming.
Alternatively, consider using a personal data removal service. Although no service promises to remove all your data from the Internet, getting a removal service is great if you want to continuously monitor and automate the process of removing your information from hundreds of sites over a longer period of time. Check out my top picks for data removal services here.
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Key takeaways for Kurt
Look, identity theft is scary, but you’re not powerless. By staying smart and proactive, you can significantly reduce your risks. Think of protecting your identity like locking your front door: it’s just common sense in today’s digital world. At the end of the day, a little awareness goes a long way, and you’ve already taken the first step by reading this article. Now, take what you’ve learned and apply it to protect you from cybercriminals.
What situation have you found yourself in where you felt vulnerable to identity theft or needed help protecting your personal information? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.
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