Identity theft is a growing concern in today’s digital world. Criminals can use your personal information to commit fraud, leaving you to deal with financial and legal consequences. This article provides actionable steps to help you protect yourself and explains how PrivacyHawk’s Platinum tools can assist in this process.
Steps to Protect Yourself from Identity Theft
Monitor Your Digital Footprint
Regularly review your online accounts to ensure no suspicious activity is occurring.
Use PrivacyHawk’s Reduce My Digital Footprint Tool to identify and remove your information form company databases that could expose sensitive information.
Use Strong, Unique Passwords
Create complex passwords with a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols. Avoid reusing passwords across accounts.
Consider using a password manager for convenience and security.
Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
Add an extra layer of security to your accounts by enabling 2FA, which requires a second verification step to access your account.
Be Cautious of Phishing Scams
Avoid clicking on links or opening attachments in unsolicited emails or messages.
Verify the sender’s identity before providing any personal or financial information.
Monitor Your Credit Reports
Check your credit reports regularly for unfamiliar accounts or transactions.
Use PrivacyHawk’s Identity Protection Tool (Platinum Plan) to receive alerts for suspicious activity.
Secure Your Devices
Keep your devices updated with the latest security patches and antivirus software.
Use secure, encrypted Wi-Fi connections and avoid public Wi-Fi for sensitive transactions.
Limit Sharing of Personal Information
Avoid sharing sensitive details, such as Social Security numbers or bank information, unless absolutely necessary.
Adjust privacy settings on social media to restrict access to personal information.
How PrivacyHawk Helps Protect You
Identity Protection Tool (Platinum Plan)
Provides monitoring for the information added into the tool and alerts for suspicious activity involving your personal information.
Includes up to $1 million in insurance coverage for recovery costs associated with identity theft.
Data Broker Removal Tool (Premium Plan)
Removes your information from data brokers and people-searching site databases where it could be sold or accessed by scammers.
Reduce My Digital Footprint Tool (Premium Plan)
Helps reduce your digital footprint by sending opt-out requests to companies to ask for the deletion of your information or stop selling your information to third parties, reducing your exposure to breaches.
Unsubscribe Tool
Helps you unsubscribe from unwanted email lists and newsletters. By reducing the volume of marketing emails, you minimize the chances of your information being shared with third parties or targeted by phishing scams.
Additional Tips for Staying Secure
Freeze Your Credit: Prevent unauthorized access to your credit reports by contacting major credit bureaus.
Use PrivacyHawk’s Tools Regularly: Running scans and responding to alerts keeps your data secure over time.
Stay Informed: Educate yourself about the latest identity theft scams and tactics.
Need Help?
If you have questions about protecting yourself from identity theft or using PrivacyHawk’s tools, contact us at [email protected]. We’re here to help!