In an increasingly digital world, identity theft is a common threat to all.
A 2021 report by the FTC actually revealed that ID theft made up nearly 24 per cent of the over 5.8million cases of fraud reported that year.
Yet, so many people are in the dark about how they can protect their sensitive personal information and safeguard the assets they’ve worked so hard for.
Luckily, this blog post shares a few easy security measures you can take to keep your identity safer from fraudsters and cybercriminals. Read on as we take a quick look at five ways to prevent identity theft.
1. Secure Your Devices from Unauthorised Access
From your phone to your tablet, laptop, or PC, tech devices almost always carry valuable, sensitive, and private information worth protecting. And, there are a few ways to ensure your valuable gadgets are better protected from unauthorised access.
First of all, strengthen device passwords with at least eight characters, making sure not to share them among multiple accounts or use the same password for other online activities. Also, it pays to update your operating systems regularly as this helps fix any security flaws or threats.
Finally, enable two-factor authentication (2FA) whenever possible when logging in to websites or apps on unfamiliar networks. This helps further secure sensitive data associated with various accounts from hackers.
2. Stay Alert to Suspicious Activity on Credit and Bank Accounts
Although banks have sophisticated fraud detection mechanisms at play, you should still monitor your bank accounts to make sure no suspicious activity is occurring. Check all your account statements regularly for any unrecognised transactions or charges, which could be signs of an identity theft attack.
In this sense, also look out for discrepancies in monthly billing cycles, such as unexpected credit card charges or high balances. These can indicate possible fraudulent activities on your account.
3. Use Complex Passwords and Change Them Regularly
Having strong passwords is key to avoiding identity theft. These provide an extra layer of protection for your finances and data while making it more difficult for identity fraud scammers to access your accounts or information.
Keep complexity in mind when creating new passwords by including numbers, symbols, and uppercase letters too. This makes them hard to crack and almost impossible to guess.
Also make sure you change them frequently, for example, every three months or so. That way, any potential threat can be detected earlier than if left untouched for long periods of time!
4. Educate Yourself about Phishing, Spoofing, and Malware Attacks
One of the most common methods used by hackers to steal your personal information is phishing, spoofing, and malware attacks. It’s important to familiarise yourself with these terms, so you can recognise warning signs and take preventive measures when needed.
For example, watch out for emails from unknown senders requesting you to click on suspicious-looking links or fill out forms with personal credit card information. These are classic signs of a phishing attack!
Checking your credit card rates regularly in addition to making sure your email is protected by strong passwords and antivirus software, can all help keep any unwanted activity at bay!
5. Monitor Your Personal Information Online and Offline
Last but not least, it’s important to stay vigilant when it comes to monitoring your personal information both online and offline. This, as earlier noted, means regularly checking credit card bills for erroneous entries or charges that don’t match your usage history.
It also includes looking out for any reports of data breaches involving companies storing your information, such as banks or retailers, so that you can take proactive steps to protect yourself from potential criminals.
Overall, identity theft prevention is achievable with a few simple security measures. These tips can go a long way in helping you keep your personal information safe while allowing you to take control of your finances. So don’t wait any longer – start protecting yourself and your data ASAP!
This is a submitted article.
