7. Criminal identity theft
Criminal identity theft happens when someone provides law enforcement with someone else’s name and address during an arrest or investigation. This is frequently done with fraudulent identification, such as a forged driver’s license.
Warning signs: You may be detained by a police officer for reasons unknown to you, or you may be denied work or a promotion because of anything discovered in a background check.
11 strategies to protect yourself from identity theft
You’re unlikely to find a foolproof method of preventing identity theft, and monitoring services only notify you after anything has gone wrong. But there are 11 things you can do to make it far more difficult for identity thieves.
1. Put your credit on hold
Freezing your credit with all three leading credit agencies — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion – restricts access to your information, making new credit files impossible to open. It is free to freeze your credit and unfreeze it when you open an account. It gives the best security against an identity thief utilizing your details to open a new account.
2. Keep your Social Security number secure
Your Social Security number is the master key to your personal information. Protect it as much as you can. When you are requested for your phone number, inquire why it is required and how it will be safeguarded. Don’t bring your card with you. Store or discard documentation with your Social Security number in a secure location.
3. Be wary about phishing and spoofing
Scammers can make phone calls that appear to be from government agencies or businesses, and emails that appear to be authentic may be attempts to steal your information. Rather than responding to a phone or email, initiate a callback or return an email from a known entity such as the official website. Also, be aware of attachments, as many include spyware.
4. Use solid passwords and include an authentication process
Use a password manager to generate and store complicated, one-of-a-kind passwords for your accounts. Passwords should never be reused. Using authenticator software can help to lower your risk. Don’t rely on security questions to keep your tabs private; your mother’s maiden name and your pet’s name aren’t challenging to find. Think carefully about what you post on social media to avoid giving away sensitive information or hints about how you respond to security questions.
