Identity theft protection is a service or a set of measures that are used to help protect an individual’s personal information and financial accounts from being used fraudulently. This typically includes monitoring financial accounts and personal information for suspicious activity, as well as providing tools and resources to help individuals take action if they suspect that their identity has been stolen.
Identity theft protection services can include:
- Credit monitoring: This involves monitoring your credit reports for any suspicious activity, such as new accounts being opened in your name or unauthorized changes to your existing accounts.
- Fraud detection: This can include monitoring your financial accounts for suspicious transactions or unauthorized withdrawals.
- Identity restoration: This service helps individuals recover from identity theft by providing them with assistance in contacting credit bureaus, financial institutions, and other parties that may need to be notified of the identity theft.
- Public record monitoring: This can help to identify any suspicious changes to your personal information, such as your address or phone number, that may have been made by someone trying to steal your identity.
Identity theft protection services can be offered by companies, financial institutions, or credit bureaus. Some identity theft protection services are free, while others require a subscription fee. It’s important to understand the terms of service and cost of a protection service before subscribing, and also to be aware that no identity protection service can fully guarantee the protection of one’s identity.
How Can You Protect Your Identity for Free?
While identity theft protection services can provide added security, there are also steps that individuals can take to protect their identity for free:
- Check your credit reports: You can obtain a free copy of your credit report from each of the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) once a year. Reviewing these reports regularly can help you identify any suspicious activity, such as new accounts opened in your name or unauthorized changes to your existing accounts.
- Use strong and unique passwords: Use strong and unique passwords for all of your online accounts and avoid using the same password for multiple accounts. A strong password should be at least 12 characters long and include a combination of letters, numbers, and special characters.
- Be cautious with personal information: Avoid sharing personal information online or over the phone, and be wary of unsolicited calls or emails asking for personal information.
- Use security software: Keep your computer and mobile devices protected with up-to-date antivirus and anti-malware software.
- Monitor your financial accounts: Regularly check your bank and credit card statements for any suspicious transactions or unauthorized withdrawals.
- Secure your mail and trash: Use a locking mailbox or a mail slot to prevent mail theft, and shred sensitive documents before throwing them away.
- Be cautious when using public Wi-Fi: Public Wi-Fi networks can be vulnerable to hackers, so avoid accessing sensitive information or financial accounts when using public Wi-Fi.
- Use privacy settings: Use privacy settings on social media platforms and be selective about the information you share.
It’s worth noting that even if you take all the necessary precautions, there is still a chance that your identity can be stolen. The best defense is to stay vigilant and monitor your credit reports, bank and credit card statements, and any other important personal information regularly.