How to Protect Yourself From Identity Theft

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How to Protect Yourself from Identity Theft

Wednesdays | 3 p.m. ET

Featuring: @Rod_Griffin and @Frostbe

Join our #CreditChat every Wednesday at 3 p.m. ET. This week, we talked about the important topic of protecting your identity.“

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ex.pn/idtheft

How does identity theft happen? Any common ways?

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Phishing, skimming and hacking seem to be some of the more prevalent sources for identity theft.

Tweet by @LeslieHTayneEsq

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If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is a scam. The email offering a “free” security scan for instance.

Tweet by @NatlJumpStart

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It’s important to think about digital and

Tweet by @Frostbe

physical risks to your identity.

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Startling Findings and Misconceptions

- 29% of survey respondents say they felt safe because thieves only want wealthy people’s identities.

- 32% say they believe that their chances of getting their identities stolen are small.

- 42% feel it would be very difficult for someone to steal their identity.

- 42% feel it’s too much of a hassle to worry about securing their identity.

#CreditChatWednesdays | 3 p.m. ET

Source: 2014 PMID Cyber Security Survey

What are signs you might be a victim of identity theft?

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Items on your credit reports that aren’t yours. Ending up with zero balances in your bank accounts.

Tweet by @DebbiKing

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If your very young child starts getting financial offers, calls, marketing in his/her name, it could be a bad sign.

Tweet by @NatlJumpStart

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One place you can spot identity theft is your credit report. That’s one reason it’s so important to check it often.

Tweet by @RAHomes

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How can we do a better job of protecting our personal information?

#CreditChatWednesdays | 3 p.m. ET

Smartphone Security Stats

- 3 in 10 smartphones are not password protected.- 41% of smartphones are not enabled for remote tracking and

wiping. - 22% of survey respondents report that they read mobile-app

privacy statements before downloading them.- ⅓ of consumers and (48% of millennials) say they feel

comfortable sharing their passwords with others.

#CreditChatWednesdays | 3 p.m. ET

Source: 2014 PMID Cyber Security Survey

Do not use the same login or password for your financial institution on any other website or software.

Tweet by @SouthStateBank

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Shred any important documents before disposing of them. Educate yourself on how to avoid phishing scams.

Tweet by @LeslieHTayneEsq

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It’s important to take the lead in protecting your personal information. Check your credit reports and statements regularly.

Tweet by @Frostbe

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Protect yourself by changing your passwords every 30 days and do not repeat passwords from before.

Tweet by @BahiyahShabazz

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How does medical identity theft happen? How do we know if we’re victims?

#CreditChatWednesdays | 3 p.m. ET

Medical identity theft happens when the thief uses your medical identity information to access medical goods or services.

Tweet by @Frostbe

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Medical #idtheft happens the same way credit id theft happens: data breaches, dumpster diving, etc. They use the same info.

Tweet by @WelshKristy

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Just as with any theft, you should question any statements from doctors and hospitals that you receive.

Tweet by @BahiyahShabazz

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What are ways we can protect our children from identity theft?

#CreditChatWednesdays | 3 p.m. ET

Protect your kids’ info as you would your own. SSN, DOB, etc are tools for ID thieves.

Tweet by @NatlJumpStart

#CreditChat

Educate them on the importance of keeping strong passwords and what information they should NEVER share online.

Tweet by @LeslieHTayneEsq

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How can checking credit reports regularly help us identify identity theft?

#CreditChatWednesdays | 3 p.m. ET

Consistent monitoring can help catch minute changes that can be indicators of ID theft such as address changes, etc.

Tweet by @yesiamcheap

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Reacting quickly is key. Identity monitoring alerts you to potential fraud and lets you respond.

Tweet by @Frostbe

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What should you do if you are a victim of identity theft?

#CreditChatWednesdays | 3 p.m. ET

How to Respond to Identity Theft

1. Add a 90-day fraud alert to your credit report.2. Review your credit report.3. File an identity theft report with your local police

department.4. Notify your financial institution.5. Notify the credit bureaus to resolve fraudulent activity on

your credit report6. Add a 7-year fraud victim alert to your

credit report.

#CreditChatWednesdays | 3 p.m. ET

What’s the difference between a credit freeze and fraud alert? What’s better?

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Fraud Alert vs. Credit Freeze

Fraud Alert: A fraud alert is a cautionary flag. It notifies lenders to take precautions to check your identity before extending credit.

Credit Freeze: A freeze is a more serious step. It prevents lenders and others access to your credit report. They can’t extend credit.

#CreditChatWednesdays | 3 p.m. ET

Source: @LeslieHTayneEsq

Any final tips to help protect us from identity theft?

#CreditChatWednesdays | 3 p.m. ET

Pay attention. There are many great resources available to help, but you need to be vigilant.

Tweet by @NatlJumpStart

#CreditChat

Know that you’re ultimately responsible for safeguarding your info. Be selective in sharing. Review your credit reports.

Tweet by @FacingFinances

#CreditChat

#CreditChatWednesdays | 3 p.m. ET

Check out all the resources and tips shared:

ex.pn/idtheft

#CreditChatWednesdays | 3 p.m. ET

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