Protecting the Real You: Essential Steps to Protect Your Personal Data
Last Updated: 1 month ago
In the US, personal data is increasingly exposed through data brokers and breaches, leaving many unaware of how bad actors can exploit it. Beyond social engineering, financial and employment fraud pose significant risks. Here are some common threats:
- Credit Card and Debit Card Fraud: Unauthorized charges on your accounts.
- Creating Fraudulent Bank Accounts for Money Laundering: Accounts opened in your name to conceal illegal funds.
- Mortgage/Real Estate Fraud: Your identity used to secure loans or alter property deals.
- Debt Collection Fraud: Fake collectors demanding payment for nonexistent debts.
- Financial and Investment Fraud: Scams promising returns to steal your money.
- Employment Identity Theft: Your details used to gain employment, causing tax or legal issues.
- Wage Theft and Tax Fraud: Fraudsters working under your name, leading to tax discrepancies.
- Crossing Borders with Fraudulent Identities: Your identity misused for illegal travel or immigration.
To prevent the misuse of your identity in the US, it's important to lock it down where you can. The most effective way is to "freeze" your data with various consumer reporting agencies.
Important: A Quick Note on Using These Resources
Before you get started, here are a few critical points to remember:
Free and Effective: Every tool and service recommended in this guide is completely free. You don't need to pay for expensive services to protect yourself. Be wary of companies that charge for what you can do yourself for free.
Your Credit is Safe: Placing a security freeze on your credit report will not harm your credit score in any way. It simply prevents new accounts from being opened in your name.
A Word on VPNs: For your own security, it's best to turn off your VPN when accessing these websites. Many financial and government services automatically block connections from VPNs as a security precaution, which can prevent you from completing the steps.
Part 1: Foundational Protections (Freezes and Alerts)
Start by placing a credit freeze on your files with the three major credit bureaus. This is the single most effective way to prevent new credit accounts from being opened in your name.
The Big 3 Credit Bureaus
Equifax:
Online: https://www.equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services/credit-freeze/
Phone: 1-800-349-9960
Experian:
Online: https://experian.com/help/credit-freeze/
Phone: 1-888-397-3742
TransUnion:
Online: https://transunion.com/credit-freeze
Phone: 1-888-909-8872
Additional Important Ways to Freeze Your Data
Beyond the Big 3, there are a number of specialty consumer reporting agencies that collect data for specific industries. Freezing your data with them adds another critical layer of protection.
Innovis:
Description: A consumer credit reporting agency that provides credit and identity verification data. Often referred to as a "fourth" credit bureau.
Online: https://innovis.com/personal/securityFreeze
Phone: 1-866-712-4546
Chex Systems, Inc.:
Description: A nationwide specialty consumer reporting agency that provides services to financial institutions for assessing the risk of opening new checking and savings accounts. A freeze can block the creation of new bank accounts.
Online: https://chexsystems.com/security-freeze/place-freeze
Phone: 1-800-428-9623
LexisNexis Risk Solutions:
Description: Provides data and analytics to businesses and government agencies to help them assess and manage risk. A freeze can prevent access to your consumer file.
Online: https://consumer.risk.lexisnexis.com/freeze
Phone: 1-800-456-1244
Clarity Services, Inc.:
Description: A specialty consumer reporting agency that focuses on alternative financial services data, such as payday loans and installment loans.
Online: https://consumers.clarityservices.com/securityFreeze
Phone: 1-866-390-3118
National Consumer Telecom & Utilities Exchange (NCTUE):
Description: A consumer reporting agency that collects and shares information on payment histories and new accounts for telecommunications, pay TV, and utility services.
Online: https://nctueconsumerportal.com
Phone: 1-866-349-5355
MicroBilt Corporation:
Description: An alternative credit data provider and credit reporting company that collects data on non-traditional payments like rent and utilities.
Online: https://microbilt.com/consumer-affairs
Phone: 1-888-222-7621
Teletrack:
Description: A specialty credit bureau that collects data on alternative loans, such as payday loans.
To Freeze: You must mail a written request to them. Instructions can be found on their website.
Online: https://consumers.teletrack.com
The Work Number (Equifax):
Description: A database managed by Equifax that provides employment and income verification. A freeze can prevent someone from using your information to get a job or access benefits.
Online: https://employees.theworknumber.com/employee-data-freeze
Email: TWNFreeze@equifax.com
Fraud Alerts
A fraud alert is a step you can take in addition to a freeze. It's a note on your credit file that requires creditors to take extra steps to verify your identity before granting credit. An initial fraud alert lasts one year, while an extended one lasts seven. You only need to place the alert with one of the three major credit bureaus, and they are required to notify the other two.
Free Credit Report Monitoring
You are entitled to free credit reports from the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) through AnnualCreditReport.com. These reports can be accessed weekly to monitor your credit for unauthorized activity, such as new accounts or inquiries, helping you detect identity theft early.
Online: https://www.annualcreditreport.com
Note: Regularly reviewing your credit reports is a proactive way to spot discrepancies and take action quickly.
Part 2: Planting a Flag (Proactive Account Creation)
"Planting a flag" is the proactive act of creating accounts on various platforms to secure your digital identity and prevent others from impersonating you.
ID.me and Login.gov
ID.me and Login.gov are digital identity verification services that act as a "single sign-on" for various government agencies and private businesses. Best of all, they both support strong authentication methods like USB security keys, such as the Yubikey.
Login.gov: An official U.S. government service managed by the General Services Administration (GSA). It is designed exclusively for accessing federal government services.
Online: https://login.gov/ID.me: A private company that partners with both government agencies (federal and state) and private businesses, giving you access to a wider range of services.
Online: https://id.me/
Social Security Administration (SSA):
Create a personal "my Social Security" account to secure your digital identity and prevent identity thieves from accessing sensitive information like your earnings history, benefits estimates, or even diverting payments.
Online: https://secure.ssa.gov/RIL/SiView.action
Internal Revenue Service (IRS):
Get ahead of tax fraud by creating an IRS account. You can request an Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN) to lock down your tax filings and prevent bad actors from getting your refunds.
Online: https://irs.gov/your-account
myE-Verify:
myE-Verify is a U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) service that allows consumers to manage the E-Verify process related to employment. Freeze your employment verification to stop someone from clocking in with your SSN. You can lift it when you’re ready to work.
Online: https://myeverify.uscis.gov
Additional Places to Plant a Flag
Bad actors are looking for any opportunity to gain an advantage. Here are some additional suggestions for where to plant a flag to maintain control of your identity.
State Unemployment Insurance (UI): Create an online account on your state’s official UI portal to prevent fraudsters from filing fraudulent claims in your name, which can lead to stolen benefits and tax complications.
Online: Find your state UI portal here: https://www.dol.gov/general/topic/unemployment-insuranceUSPS Informed Delivery: The free service gives you a digital preview of your incoming mail and packages, allowing you to spot fraudulent mail or physical mail containing personal information you don't recognize.
Online: https://www.usps.com/manage/informed-delivery.htmTitle Alerts: Often offered for free by your local Clerk of the Court, these services provide email notifications for any filings (e.g., deeds, liens) involving your name or property parcel, catching title theft early.
How to set up: Search "[County] Clerk Property Fraud Alert" to find your county's specific program.
Part 3: In Case of Emergency (For Victims)
For victims of identity theft, there are two resources that are critical in your time of need.
IdentityTheft.gov: This is the official federal government resource for victims. The site helps you create an official FTC Identity Theft Report and a personalized recovery plan that walks you through each step of the process. This report is a key document for filing a police report and disputing fraudulent accounts.
Online: https://www.identitytheft.gov/Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC): The ITRC is a U.S. non-profit organization that provides identity crime victim assistance and education, free of charge. They offer guidance and support to help you navigate the recovery process.
Online: https://www.idtheftcenter.org/
By taking these steps, you're not just protecting your data; you're building a fortress around your personal and financial well-being.
Remember, we may not have anything to hide, but everything to protect.
