Practical steps to reduce your risk and safeguard your identity
Roseville, Calif.- Identity theft occurs when someone steals your personal information and uses it without your permission, often to open accounts, rack up debt, or even commit crimes in your name. The impact can be stressful, costly, and time-consuming to fix.
To help consumers stay protected, the California Department of Justice recommends the following practical steps to reduce your risk and safeguard your identity.
Guard your Social Security number.
Your Social Security number is one of the most valuable pieces of personal information you possess. Avoid carrying your Social Security card in your wallet, and refrain from routinely sharing the number unless absolutely necessary. If your health plan or another card uses your Social Security number as an identifier, request an alternative number.
Outsmart phishing scams.
Scammers often pose as banks, retailers, or government agencies to trick people into revealing sensitive information. These "phishing" attempts may come through phone calls, emails, texts, or even traditional mail. Never respond to requests asking you to confirm account numbers or passwords. Legitimate organizations do not ask for this information unexpectedly. The safest rule: never share personal information unless you initiated the contact.
Strengthen your password habits.
Weak or reused passwords make it easy for identity thieves to access your accounts. Use unique passwords for each account, with at least eight characters that include letters, numbers, and symbols. Store them securely and avoid obvious choices. Strong password practices take effort, but they are far easier than recovering from identity theft.
Share sparingly on social media.
Information posted on social networks, such as birthdates, addresses, children's names, or travel plans, can be used by criminals to guess passwords or launch scams. Be mindful of what you share and adjust privacy settings to limit public access.
Protect your devices.
Computers, tablets, and smartphones should be secured with strong passwords and up-to-date firewall, antivirus, and spyware protection. Only download software from trusted sources, and avoid clicking on pop-up ads or suspicious links in emails. Keeping your devices updated helps block known security threats.
Shop online cautiously.
Before entering personal or financial information online, verify that the website is legitimate. Look for a privacy policy and check for "https" in the web address and a padlock symbol in the browser. These indicate that your information will be encrypted and better protected.
Review financial statements promptly.
Open and review your bank and credit card statements as soon as they arrive. Report any unfamiliar charges immediately. If a bill doesn't arrive on time, contact the company-it could signal that someone has changed your mailing information.
Reduce pre-approved credit offers.
Pre-approved credit offers can be stolen from mailboxes and misused. You can opt out of most of these offers by calling 1-888-567-8688 or visiting optoutprescreen.com.
Monitor your credit reports for free.
You are entitled to one free credit report each year from Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Reviewing these reports regularly helps you spot suspicious activity early. Consider spacing them out every four months for year-round monitoring.
Ask questions and speak up.
When asked for personal information, don't hesitate to ask why it's needed, how it will be used, and how it will be protected. If the answers don't satisfy you, consider taking your business elsewhere.
Criminals are persistent, but informed consumers can be just as vigilant. By consistently following these tips, you can significantly reduce your risk of becoming an identity theft victim and better protect your financial future.