Cyber Security: 6 Ways To Protect Yourself From Identity Theft

6 Ways To Protect Yourself From Identity TheftYour identity is your greatest asset, if it becomes compromised every aspect of your life automatically becomes vulnerable, leaving you exposed to a myriad of attacks. Do you know anyone who has experienced the hardships of a stolen identity? Most of us have. Are we really taking action in lieu of the increasing frequency of these attacks?

Recently, there was even a data security breach for users of Equifax, putting millions of users at risk. Stolen personal data could mean ruined finances and credit scores. It can take years to recover from these breaches. The stress and headache of dealing with a stolen identity is something you want to avoid at all costs.

While the risk of a stolen identity can be high, the good news is, there are some simple steps you can take to be proactive in protecting your identity.

Here are 6 Steps you can start taking today to protect your identity:

  1. Shred your documents! It sounds simple enough, but many people overlook this simple step. Bank statements, credit card receipts and statements, as well as any other document with personal financial information should never be thrown in the garbage. Any and all documents with personal information should be shredded.
  2. Secure your passwords. Create strong passwords using a combination of letters, numbers and special characters. You should also avoid using the same password for each account and change them frequently.
  3. Recognize signs of phishing. One of the best ways to protect yourself from identity theft is to recognize when someone is trying to get your information. Be on alert for suspicious emails, links and unsolicited phone calls asking for you to provide your personal information.
  4. Protect your Social Security number. Don’t share your Social Security number unless it is absolutely necessary and avoid carrying it on your person or in your wallet.
  5. Be wise about social media. People often become lenient on social media and post a ton of personal information. Even small details like your birthday and address can give identity thieves the ability to compromise your identity. Don’t connect with anyone you don’t know and ensure your privacy settings are strengthened.
  6. Get on a plan. That means putting a program in place that is constantly running to protect you, even when you are sleeping. A reactive approach is insufficient. Packages today are very affordable, and they can make a tremendous difference in your quality of life.

In today’s world, even when taking all the right precautions, identity theft can still easily happen. With Total Security’s Cyber Security, Internet Surveillance and Identity Theft Services you can have the peace of mind you deserve knowing your greatest asset – your identity – is safe! We are offering comprehensive cyber security coverage through IDnotify by Experian, and are able to offer this service to our customers at a rate 20% lower than the cost of going through the provider, plus we offer our customers 2 months FREE! Call us today at (516) 775-2304 or (201) 594-7233 to learn more.

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