Protecting the Real You: Essential Steps to Protect Your Personal Data
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. Start with the Big 3 Credit Bureaus and work your way through the list.
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
Innovis:
Online: https://innovis.com/personal/securityFreeze
Phone: 1-866-712-4546
MicroBilt Corporation:
Online: https://microbilt.com/consumer-affairs
Phone: 1-888-222-7621
National Consumer Telecom & Utilities Exchange (NCTUE):
Online: https://nctueconsumerportal.com
Phone: 1-866-349-5355
LexisNexis Risk Solutions:
Online: https://consumer.risk.lexisnexis.com/freeze
Phone: 1-800-456-1244
Chex Systems, Inc.:
Online: https://chexsystems.com/security-freeze/place-freeze
Phone: 1-800-428-9623
Clarity Services, Inc.:
Online: https://consumers.clarityservices.com/securityFreeze
Phone: 1-866-390-3118
Stay on Top of Things: Credit Report Check
You're entitled to a free weekly peek at your credit reports. Keep an eye on them at https://annualcreditreport.com/index.action to spot and squash any funny business.
Protecting Your SSN: A Different Approach
Credit freezes are great, but your social security number needs a special kind of protection.
Set up an account with the Social Security Administration (https://secure.ssa.gov/RIL/SiView.action) to watch over your SSN like a hawk.
Tax Fraud Defense:
Get ahead of tax fraud by creating an IRS account (https://irs.gov/your-account). You can request a PIN to lock down your tax filings, keeping the crooks at bay.
Workplace Identity Theft Prevention:
To stop someone from clocking in with your SSN, freeze your employment verification at myE-Verify (https://myeverify.uscis.gov). Just like a credit freeze, you can lift it when you’re ready to work.
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.
