How to Avoid and Prevent Identity Theft


Identity theft is like a thief in the night; it can happen to anyone, anywhere, at any time. It is a real threat to everyone. We live in a time where so much personal information is stored online, which allows cybercriminals to steal it and use it for their gain.

A Federal Trade Commission report shows that over 1 million people fell victim to identity theft in 2022. The most common types of identity theft are credit card fraud, bank fraud, and loan or lease fraud. But, the good news is that you can avoid identity theft. Let’s discover the best practices to follow to keep identity thieves away.

What is Identity Theft?

Identity theft is when someone illegally sneaks into your life using your personal information like your social security numbers, credit card numbers, full name, and telephone numbers for financial fraud, to gain entry to systems without your permission. This can damage your credit score, as well as your finances.

Criminals use various methods to perpetrate identity theft:

Recognizing you are a victim

Any one or more of the following signs could indicate your account might be under attack. Realizing this is the crucial step in putting a stop to this devious cybercrime.

  • You receive unexpected bills or account statements. This could be from new accounts that were opened in your name without your permission, or from fraudulent charges on your existing accounts.
  • You are denied credit for no reason. This could be because someone has used your identity to open new accounts and then defaulted on the payments.
  • You receive calls from debt collectors about accounts that you don’t recognize.
  • You notice unauthorized activity on your credit report. This may be new accounts, inquiries that you didn’t request, or late payments on accounts that you’re current on.
  • If your mail suddenly stops coming or starts being delivered to a different address, it could be a sign that someone has changed your address without your permission.

How to Prevent Identity Theft

Conclusion

Anyone can be a victim of identity theft. But recognizing the huge impact it can have on you and your finances should drive you to protect yourself.  Just as burglars come at night so as not to be seen, identity thieves can be crafty enough to go unnoticed. However, the tips mentioned in this article can help you stay vigilant and reduce the risk of falling prey to identity theft.


About the Author:

Chinemerem Henry Nwosu is a tech-savvy cybersecurity content writer with a keen interest in cloud security. He has honed his writing skills through extensive research and practical experience. In addition to writing, Henry enjoys staying up-to-date with the latest trends and developments in cybersecurity and sharing his knowledge with others. He is committed to providing clear, concise, and informative content that helps readers stay safe online. When not writing about cybersecurity, Henry can be found spending time with his family and friends. He is a freelance writer at Astra Security.

Editor’s Note: The opinions expressed in this guest author article are solely those of the contributor, and do not necessarily reflect those of Tripwire



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