How to prevent online identity theft (7 expert tips)

The following are internet security tips that can help you safeguard your online identity and reduce the chances of identity theft.

Consider investing in an identity threat protection service or software product to safeguard yourself and your family from identity theft. These tools can keep track of your personal information, alert you of suspicious activity in real time, and assist you if your identity is compromised.

When you freeze your credit with the major credit bureaus, access to your records is restricted and hackers cannot open new credit files. Cybercriminals won’t be able to access your credit or open new accounts in your name. It’s free to freeze your account, and you can open it temporarily when needed.

Regularly review your financial statements, credit reports, loan documents and medical statements. Ensure that you recognize each transaction and check for any suspicious or unauthorized transactions. Any discrepancies should be reported immediately to the appropriate financial institutions or authorities.

Securing your home internet will help prevent your devices from being hacked and your data stolen. Astound’s eero Plus Home WiFi security offers several features that enhance WiFi security for your data and devices. These features include:

• • Secure VPN protection to safeguard your device’s IP from hackers.
  • Malware and virus scanning to prevent malicious software and viruses from infiltrating your devices.
  • Password manager to securely store passwords and account credentials.
  • Ad blocking for distraction-free browsing and to prevent intrusive ads from malicious sources.
  • Content filters for family-safe browsing.

Two-factor authentication provides an extra layer of security. This mechanism requires you to provide a second verification step in addition to your password to access your account. The authentication codes are sent to your mobile device via text or are accessible by authenticator apps.

Consider using a digital wallet when buying items online or in a store. Digital wallets employ tokenization and encryption to protect your payment and card information from hackers. They also offer biometric authentication, two-factor authentication and transaction monitoring to detect fraud or suspicious transactions.

Hackers frequently employ social engineering techniques to deceive people into disclosing personal information. Be cautious about sharing personal information with unknown sources claiming to be legitimate entities. Implement mobile phone security measures and thoroughly verify the identities of individuals or organizations requesting personal information.

If you suspect or know you have been a victim of identity theft, you must act. Through incident response, you can lessen the impact of identity theft. Incident response is a step-by-step approach to dealing with and managing security issues such as data breaches or identity theft.

The following are steps you can follow to mitigate the damage done by identity theft:

• Step 1: Report identity theft

The first step is to report the incident to relevant authorities like the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at IdentityTheft.gov or by phone at 1-877-438-4338.

• Step 2: Create an FTC identity theft report

The FTC will help you create an identity theft report that documents the fraudulent activity and provides essential details to law enforcement and creditors.

• Step 3: Contact credit reporting agencies

Place a fraud alert on your credit reports by contacting the major credit reporting companies (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion). The alert requires these companies to take more strict measures to confirm the identity of anyone applying for credit in your name.

• Step 4: Contact your financial institutions

Inform your banks and other financial institutions about identity theft. They can safeguard your accounts by freezing or canceling your debit and credit cards or issuing new ones.

• Step 5: Check your credit reports

Monitor your credit reports regularly for any unusual or unauthorized activities. You can get a free credit report from any of the three major credit bureaus at annualcreditreport.com.

• Step 6: File a police report

Take your identity theft report to your local law enforcement agency and report the incident. Bring other documents, like a copy of your credit report, bank statements and other supporting documents, to show proof of the crime.

• Step 7: Keep detailed records

Keep detailed records of all contacts, transactions and documents related to the identity theft. This documentation can help with the resolution process.

• Step 8: Update passwords and security measures

Update your passwords on all your accounts and enable 2FA authentication to enhance security. Use password managers to store your passwords securely and delete personal information from public profiles on social media and other online sites.

• Step 9: Continue monitoring your accounts and credit reports

Continue monitoring your financial statements and credit reports for any unusual activity. If an unauthorized transaction occurs, quickly report it to your financial institution, FTC or credit bureau.

• Step 10: Consult with a professional

If the identity theft case is complex or difficult to solve, consider the services of an identity theft expert or an attorney.