How to Protect Yourself from Identity Theft

3 Min. Read

Identity theft can happen to anyone, but there are a lot of smart steps you can take to reduce your risk. These tips will help you build awareness and practice safe online habits, so you can safeguard your personal information and ensure your financial security.

What is the best protection against online scams?

When it comes to ensuring your financial security and protecting yourself against identity theft, fraud, or online scams, the best thing you can do is take steps to prevent it from happening.

Be alert.

Chances are, if something feels fishy about an email you receive or a website you visit, it may be false. Review the message carefully for tell-tale signs like misspellings or other inaccurate information.

Click with care.

Use caution before you click on any link. If you’re asked to click a link to log in (for example, to your online bank account), avoid the link in the email and instead navigate directly to the trusted site to access your account.

Review your account statements regularly.

Know your bank and credit card statement cycles and review each statement closely for any suspicious activity. If you spot a charge you didn’t make, it could be an indicator that your information was stolen online.

Create secure passwords for your accounts.

Use long, complex, and unique passwords and vary your passwords from account to account.

Be wary of unusual payment requests.

Scammers may ask you to pay in an unusual way, such as with gift cards, pre-paid debit cards, Bitcoin, or digital currency. Watch out for potential scammers who request payment via platforms like CashApp, Venmo, Zelle, or PayPal.

Don’t allow remote access.

Fraudsters may try to convince you that your device has a virus. Never allow someone you don’t know to remotely access your computer or mobile device.

Review your credit reports annually.

You can get a free credit report from each of the three credit reporting agencies annually.

Everyday Habits to Protect Your Identity

There are also habits you can practice on a daily basis to help protect your identity and lower the risk of a cybercriminal getting a hold of your information.

Secure your SSN and PII.

Keep your Social Security Number (SSN) and other Personally Identifiable Information (PII) in a safe spot. Don’t carry your Social Security card in your wallet; be careful where you write your personal information down.

Don’t respond to unsolicited requests.

Never share your personal information by phone, mail, email, or on websites without verifying that the request is valid and coming from a trusted source. This includes providing your name, birth date, SSN, and bank account numbers.

Safeguard against “oversharing” on social.

Would-be criminals can use social media to learn about you, your interests, and your habits. That information could help them figure out your passwords and answers to security questions for your online accounts.

Watch out for “shoulder surfers.”

Whenever you’re entering your PIN or a password, shield the keypad or keyboard to prevent others from eyeing your credentials.

Check your security and settings.

Many of the mobile apps and websites that you use keep a record of your personal information. Keep data safe on your devices by checking your app permissions and reviewing your security and privacy settings.

Turn on Multifactor Authentication.

Multifactor authentication, also known as two-factor authentication (2FA) or MFA, is a highly effective security measure that requires additional identification when accessing your accounts. Many websites now offer security features like a PIN, fingerprint, confirmation text, or approval through an authentication app.

Install antivirus software.

Keeping your devices up to date with the latest security patches and utilizing automatic updates for operating systems, antivirus software, and applications will help protect your digital assets and information from cybercrime.

Marine Credit Union offers many tools to help you regularly monitor your account activity, including our free Marine Mobile App, e-alerts, and e-statements. Learn more about identity theft and how to protect yourself.