Be mindful: Fraudsters are constantly on the lookout for ways to manipulate your public records for their own benefit.
Did you know about the 'Black Web'? It's a shady underworld for fraudsters where they can buy, sell, and trade all sorts of personal or financial data, like debit/credit card numbers. Unfortunately, these bad actors do this for their gain and don't care about anyone else who could be affected.
To ensure you protect yourself:
Tip #1 - Do not access personal information using public computers.
Do you know why public places may not be the best places for accessing the internet? Firstly, public internet connections can be compromised, leaving your personal information vulnerable. Plus, you never know who's behind you - someone could be taking notes close by of the sensitive data on your screen.
Even worse, there may be identity thieves lurking at public facilities aiming to exploit your data for their financial gain. Bottom line: don't put yourself at risk - it's better to be safe than sorry.
Tip #2 - If borrowing a device, from a family member or friend, make sure to logout of ALL websites you have logged in to.
**WARNING**: Do not conduct a detailed inspection or cavity search of your friend or relative! However, be extremely cautious when accessing your personal info on someone else's device.
If borrowing, make sure you know how to safely log out of the browser and close it after accessing your info. **PRO TIP**: When in doubt, make use of the 'incognito (or private) mode' to ensure maximum security.
"90 percent of perpetrators of fraud are known to their victims." – Gary Weiss, author of the article "Fraud in the Family." Published 2018.
Tip #3 - Use a VPN Whenever Possible
It's totally normal to be a little paranoid when browsing online, but VPNs are here to help! A 'Virtual Private Network' is a great way to add an extra layer of security when you're surfing the web; especially if you're a bit wary of what sites you're accessing.
To find out if a site is safe is to look out for the "HTTPS://" at the beginning of the URL. Not all websites have this, but it's definitely best practice to use your better judgement when accessing sites. To make sure you're completely covered, get a VPN for all of your devices - game consoles, tablets, phones, desktops, laptops - you name it!
If you've got a smartphone, you should check with your provider to see if they offer any free mobile security features. I recently got a new phone and was surprised to find a feature in the Settings menu that let me turn on VPN protection - not something that was around when cellphones were first introduced!
Tip #4 - Never Use the Same Password for All of Your Logins.
It is commonplace to have multiple passwords for services that are used regularly, be it for business or personal reasons. However, it could put your information at risk if the same password is used for every platform.
**PRO TIP**: Make use of a password manager.
If you do not have access to a free password manager, I recommend creating a personal phrase to use as your password. For best practice, start out with using the following below guidelines when creating your passwords:
1. Include an uppercase letter
2. Include a lowercase letter
3. Include an approved symbol (#, $, etc.)
4. Avoid consecutive duplicate letters (i.e. dd, bb, aa)
5. Never use any personal information (first or last name, date of birth, address, etc.)
6. Create passwords with 6-12 characters. Note that each site or program has its own
specific requirements, so keep that in mind when selecting your password.
Tip #5 - Be Mindful of Who Is Using Your Device(s).
Be mindful of who you permit to utilize your device(s)!
**THE BELOW IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT!**
To safeguard your data, it is suggested that when sharing your computer with another, you provide them with access to a guest profile. That way, you can control what they have access to view.
With mobile devices, it can be tricky to restrict access to applications that contain personal information (banking, retirement, payroll, insurance, etc.). Therefore, it is best to only permit a trusted individual to use your phone in very special or urgent cases.
Tip #5 - Place a Freeze on Your Credit Report.
Consumers can place a credit freeze on their credit reports with Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion for no cost. There are two ways to do so: by calling their customer service number or completing the application process online. You may need to answer authentication questions based on information that appears in your credit report when using either method.
It is possible to temporally or permanently set the restriction, as well as extend the security to all three bureaus with Lexis Nexis by visiting their website.
If opting to freeze your report with Lexis Nexis, it is important to keep the letter they send, as it contains a PIN number personal to you for use when you wish to lift or reinstate the restriction on your reports.
Conclusion
Whew! That was quite a bit of information. After reading this post, I hope you feel empowered to better protect yourself and your loved ones. Do not hesitate to share the wealth. Keep an eye out for my upcoming blog post that will detail the steps necessary to place a credit freeze.
Thanks for reading!
Questions?
Shoot an email over to question@jrmtconsulting.com or leave a comment below and I will make sure to give you the best guidance and advice in an upcoming blog post. If you want more tips and tricks, you can easily stay updated by following us on Facebook at @JRMT Consulting, LLC!
Valuable information here! Always dropping gems! Reading this made me think about my passwords and how I should clean them up using your amazing tips, Thank you!
The information you have shared on this blog is top notch! So useful as it is very important to protect one's assets from people who prey on others who are uninformed and unprotected! Thank you for sharing. Can't wait to read the next article.
-Nu