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What You Should And Shouldn’t Carry In Your Wallet

What You Should And Shouldn't Carry In Your Wallet

A wallet is one of the most overlooked and under regarded items that people use daily. Your wallet holds keys to your most important financial and personal information, as well as money and possibly even actual keys. Are you one of those people with a wallet that is bursting at the seams? How many things that you carry around daily are you frequently using? We’re here to help you narrow down what you should and shouldn’t carry in your wallet.

What You Should Carry

  • Two Credit Cards – In the case of an emergency, a credit card can be a life saver. If you are someone who can resist temptation and are able to pay off the balance monthly, a credit card with great rewards is a great option for everyday use. Should you run into a technical issue with your main credit card, the second card can be used instead.
  • Identification – This is a no-brainer, but you should always carry identification. It is important that your ID cards have your current address. If you lose your wallet, this will allow the person who recovers it to return it to you (hopefully).
  • Debit Card – A debit card can be used in lieu of cash and will also allow you to withdraw cash from an ATM. However, we do recommend using your credit card instead of your debit card in most instances because of the added protections they offer.
  • Small Amount of Cash – You should always carry a small amount of cash. You may run into a business that only accepts cash or you may need cash in an emergency. It’s always smart to carry some cash in your wallet.
  • Insurance Cards – If you require medical assistance or get into an auto accident, you will need to provide your medical or auto insurance card. Always make sure to keep these with you.

What You Should NOT Carry

  • Social Security Card, Passport or Birth Certificate – These items contain your most personal information. This is the information needed to commit identity theft against you. Unless you need to bring these items with you as identification or for travel, leave them securely at home.
  • Spare Keys – In the case of a lost wallet, your biggest concerns should be canceling credit/debit cards, replacing your ID and the loss of a small amount of cash. If you carry a spare house or car key, you could give a criminal access to your home or car.
  • All of Your Credit Cards/Lots of Cash – You should only carry two credit cards and a small amount of cash (unless more is needed for a specific reason). If you own more than two credit cards, leave all but two at home. Should you lose your wallet you will only need to cancel these two cards. If you carry a lot of cash and you lose your wallet, you are likely never to see that money again (unless a true Samaritan finds it).

Your wallet is one of your most valuable possessions. Always know what you should and shouldn’t carry in your wallet and handle it with care.

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Are Smart Devices Spying On You?

Are Smart Devices Spying On You?

“Hey Siri…”. “Alexa…”. These names and phrases have become a standard part of our lexicon in recent years. Digital assistants like Alexa and Siri are found in smart devices such as Amazon Echo, Apple HomePod and Google Home. These voice activated devices can be used for a wide variety of tasks. You can control your TV or lights or set an alarm or timer. You can listen to music or ask for an answer to a question you might have. We know that these devices are always listening, but are smart devices spying on you?

Are Your Devices Capturing Too Much Personal Information?

When we ask if your smart devices are spying on you, we don’t mean to infer that the actual device or company behind them have any ill-intention. The concern lies in the fact that these devices are “always on”. This means that digital assistants always have to be listening in order to serve you when you call on them. It is also known that devices such as Amazon Echo do record your questions and Alexa’s responses. These recordings are stored until you manually delete them. Recordings should only start when the device keyword is spoken, according to the manufacturers. If they are recording at other times, we don’t know.

The storage of your recordings isn’t a negative trait, however. This feature can be a benefit in some cases, as we will elaborate on below.

Can Smart Devices Be Used By Criminals?

Digital assistants can complete many different tasks, as you read earlier. Some of the more concerning tasks that can be completed are locking and unlocking of doors, controlling security cameras and making purchases. These features can be a true convenience, but they also come with some risk. Findings have shown that digital assistants can be controlled by commands which are undetectable to the natural human ear. The fear is that commands can be embedded in recordings such as commercials or online videos which command your device to make a fraudulent purchase or unlock your doors.

Security cameras often have a “drop in” feature, which can allow a remote user to see a live feed of video footage from your cameras. This could be used to determine whether you are home or not, possibly aiding a break-in attempt.

Luckily, the feature of storing recordings can be of use as a security measure. If you find a suspicious recording, it can alert you of attempts to access your device.

How Do I Protect Myself?

  • Review the recordings saved by your device for anything suspicious. You can also delete recordings if you desire.
  • You can turn off the “drop in” feature to ensure no one can access your security camera feed.
  • Make sure your device is updated with the latest version. Security protections can be added in new updates, so staying up to date is important.
  • Set up strong security measures on your home WiFi.

Are smart devices spying on you? As far as we know, they aren’t spying. However, they are listening and recording. As long as you are aware of your security settings and keep an eye on things, digital assistants can be very helpful tools.

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Free Credit Freezes Will Be Available In September

Free Credit Freezes Will Be Available In September

Congress recently passed the Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act which is designed to help consumers protect themselves from identity theft. Due to this new law, free credit freezes will be available in September. September 21st to be exact. One from each of the three major credit bureaus – Equifax, TransUnion and Experian.

What Is A Credit Freeze?

A credit freeze is a safeguard against fraudulent attempts to access your credit. Freezing your credit will make it more difficult for criminals to open lines of credit under your social security number. It doesn’t keep you from opening credit, but it is an extra hurdle. This hurdle can save you a great deal of time, money and stress should your identity be stolen. When you apply for a freeze, you will most likely be given a PIN number which will allow you to freeze and unfreeze your credit.

In the past, some credit freezes would incur a fee, depending on the laws of your state. This is no longer the case under the new law.

What Else Is New Under This Law?

Under the Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act, credit freezes will be one-year long. Currently, initial fraud alerts last for 90 days. If your identity has already been stolen, you can still receive an extended freeze for seven years. Any business who runs your credit will be required to contact you for permission before opening a new account.

Additionally, the three major credit bureaus will be required to provide a webpage which will allow consumers to request credit freezes and alerts.

Also, under the law, you will be allowed to freeze your child’s credit file until they become of age to apply for credit. When the law goes into action, parents in any state can freeze their child’s credit, so long as the child is under 16 years old.

Finally, within one year credit bureaus must offer electronic credit monitoring for all active duty military, free of charge.

This is a good step in the right direction for consumers in terms of protecting their identities. Free credit freezes will be available in September which will give Americans another firewall in the war against identity thieves.

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What Is “Sharenting”?

What Is Sharenting?

The Collins English dictionary recently added a new word to its lexicon – Sharenting. What is “Sharenting”? Collins describes sharenting as, “the habitual use of social media to share news, images, etc of one’s children”. In the social media age, many parents are quick to share each and every one of their children’s life events on their profiles. While being a proud parent is nothing to be ashamed of, are there consequences to “sharenting”?

Potential Risks Of Sharenting

Parents may not be aware of just how much of their child’s information they are sharing, even with the most innocent of posts. Let’s say you make a post to celebrate your child’s birth. The first thing you would easily give away would be the child’s birthdate. You also most likely will reveal their name, possibly even their full name. This may not seem harmful, but a person’s full name and birthdate can be used in the creation of a synthetic identity. It can happen even when they are a child, or criminals can wait until they are older. The information doesn’t change.

One topic that many people overlook is password protection. Many of us use passwords that can be easily remembered. The sharing of personal information can be used to hack into your accounts. Names of pets, schools, birthdates, maiden names, sports teams you support – many people use these types of things as parts of their passwords. Sharing this information on social media may unintentionally aid criminals in accessing more of your personal information.

How Can I Protect Myself?

To avoid “oversharenting”, follow these guidelines to self-monitor what you post and to protect your information.

  • Frequently review your security settings on each of your social media accounts. Are your privacy settings as strict as they can be? Who can see your posts?
  • Set up strong passwords on all accounts which house personal information (that is pretty much every website you have to log into). You should use a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers and symbols. Passwords should be 12-18 characters long. We advise using a password manager to store your passwords for easy access and use unique passwords for every website. Since you most likely won’t be able to remember all of these, a password manager makes it quick and easy to log in to your favorite sites. Never store passwords in your web browser.
  • Before you post to social media, think about what you’re posting and what information you’ll be sharing.

What is “sharenting”? We hope you have a grasp on the concept now and are better equipped to protect your children’s personal information. Barclays Bank predicts that “sharenting” will account for ⅔ of identity theft facing children by the end of the next decade. Now is the time to truly think about what you’re posting to social media.

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The Full Impact Of The Equifax Data Breach

The Full Impact Of The Equifax Data Breach

By now you sure are aware of the massive data breach Equifax suffered in 2017. Since word broke about this incident, some numbers have been estimated regarding the scale of those affected. We’ve never been given the full report, until now. In a filing detail to the SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission), Equifax released the entirety of the numbers regarding their data breach. The full impact of the Equifax data breach is astounding, as more than half of the American population had some their sensitive information stolen.

Breaking Down The Numbers

What makes the Equifax breach so terrifying is due to the types of information that was stolen. Names, Social Security numbers, addresses and driver’s license numbers are just a few of the things that were widely stolen during the breach.

 

Name 146.6 Million
Birthdate 146.6 Million
Social Security # 146.5 Million
Address 99 Million
Gender 27.3 Million
Phone # 20.3 Million
Driver’s License # 17.6 Million
E-mail Address 1.8 Million
Credit Card Information 209,000
Tax ID 97,500

As you can see, this is a huge amount of highly confidential information that was compromised. This is information that can be used by criminals which can damage your good standing.

Not only information was stolen, it also involved images which were uploaded to Equifax’s website.

Driver’s License 38,000
Social Security/Tax Payer ID 12,000
Passport 3,200
Miscellaneous 3,000

These images can be used by criminals to escape the country and create synthetic identities among other nefarious activities.

What Can You Do?

  • You can place a credit freeze/hold on your file through one of the major credit bureaus. This will create an extra hurdle for criminals when trying to use your information.
  • You can sign up for an identity theft restoration service, such as ReclaimMyID, which will fully restore your identity should it be stolen.

The full impact of the Equifax data breach is yet to be seen. Odds are that your information has been obtained by criminals, so you must protect yourself. Also, use this as an opportunity to become more familiar with identity theft and how to protect your information.

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How Often Does Identity Theft Happen?

How Often Does Identity Theft Happen?

Identity theft is a hot topic in the news due to recent data breaches, specifically Equifax. A data breach is when a company has the personal records of their clients or consumers stolen. This can be as simple as a name or as severe as a social security number. Data breaches are becoming more and more common, so how often does identity theft happen?

Identity Theft Statistics

Javelin Strategy and Research has publicly posted identity theft statistics dating back to 2012. These findings help paint a broad picture of the impact identity theft has in the US.

Year
 # of Individuals Impacted (Millions)
 Stolen (Billions)
2017 16.7 $16.8
2016 15.4 $16.2
2015 13.1 $15.5
2014 12.7 $16.4
2013 13.1 $19.3
2012 12.6 $22.1

 

This information shows us that the number of individuals who are victimized by identity theft is increasing. With the increase in data breaches, this makes sense. However, the amount of money stolen per victim as decreased slightly. In 2012, victims had an average of $1,753.96 stolen, compared to $1,051.94 in 2016 and $1,005.98 in 2017.

While it is good to see that the amount stolen per victim has decreased, it’s the increase in total victims that is extremely concerning.

Most Common Types Of Identity Theft

There are 9 common forms of identity theft, but which ones are the most common? Thankfully, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has provided this information.

Type Description Percentage
Employment/Tax Fraud Using stolen information to obtain a job or file a fraudulent tax return. 34%
Credit Card Fraud Stolen credit card information is used to make fraudulent purchases. 33%
Phone/Utilities Fraud Stolen information is used to open a cell phone or utilities account. 13%
Bank Fraud Personal information is stolen and used to open a bank account or take over an existing account. 12%
Loan/Lease Fraud Loans or leases obtained with stolen information. 7%
Gov’t Benefits Fraud Government benefits obtained via stolen information. 7%

 

You will notice that these percentages add up to more than 100%. This is due to the fact that the same claim can feature more than one type of fraud.

In order to learn to protect yourself, visit our news section for a wide variety of articles related to identity theft.

How often does identity theft happen? Now you have facts to provide you with an answer. Identity theft is becoming more and more common, so it requires more and more of your attention.

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Protect Your Identity After A Breakup

Protect Your Identity After A Breakup

No one enters a relationship with the idea that it isn’t going to work out. Unfortunately, many relationships end up failing at some point. Oftentimes, one or both parties will be angry and/or vengeful in the aftermath of the split. According to a McAfee study in 2013, 1 in 8 relationships that ended poorly had one of the ex-lovers leak the other’s information online. Even if you’re in a great relationship right now, learn how to protect your identity after a breakup. Splitting with a partner is difficult enough. Adding in the stress of identity theft can be truly devastating.

Change Your Passwords Immediately

People are often very open about sharing their personal information with their partner when in a relationship. It’s possible that you are trying to be open and honest while not hiding anything from your significant other. The fact of the matter is that there is some information that only you should know. Bank account, social media and email passwords are the key to unlocking a vast amount of personal information. If you and your partner break up, and they know your passwords, change them immediately.

Put A Freeze On Your Credit

If your significant other knows your passwords, it’s also possible that they know your social security number. We advise you to contact each of the three major credit bureaus and set credit freezes on your file. This will prevent anyone other than yourself from opening a line of credit under your name.

  • Equifax: 1-800-685-1111
  • Experian: 1-888-397-3742
  • TransUnion: 1-800-916-8800

Sign Up For Identity Theft Restoration

Unfortunately, there is no way to 100% prevent identity theft. This is why we recommend signing up for an identity theft restoration service such as ReclaimMyID. Should your identity be stolen, they will do all of the legwork required to fully restore your identity. This can save you hundreds of hours and a massive amount of stress. Pair this with self-monitoring and the tips above and you will be as protected as you can be.

Learn More About ReclaimMyID HERE.

Breaking up is hard to do, even when it’s a cordial one. Learn to protect your identity after a breakup and protect your information.

 

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Teach Your Kids About Download Safety

Teach Your Kids About Download Safety

As technology becomes more interwoven within our society, younger and younger children have access to apps and the internet. While many apps and websites are perfectly acceptable for kids, there are those who would look to take advantage of their vulnerability. There are plenty of cases of apps in the Google Play or Apple App Store where games targeted toward children will be infected with malware. In order to protect your family, you should take the time to teach your kids about download safety.

Teach

The first step in staying safe when using technology is knowledge. The only way to know what is safe to download is to become aware of things that are potentially dangerous. Free applications, website popups, social media advertisements and e-mail attachments are all prime real estate for potential threats. Teach your children never to download or click on a popup or attachment without asking for your permission first.

Keep Watch

One of the easiest ways to keep children from straying outside of their boundaries is to supervise them when using technology. It is advised that you keep computers in a public area. This will allow a parent or supervisor to be close by should they have any questions.

Restrict

Children are curious and trusting. It is important to set up parental controls to prevent them from visiting unapproved websites. Installing a firewall, security software and anti-malware software will boost your internet security and alert of any incoming threats. Install a popup blocker to reduce potential risks. As a parent, you can set up a different account for each child and one for yourself. This will allow you to fine tune restrictions for each person, depending on their age and the amount of access you wish to give them.

Discuss

You should periodically speak with your children about their internet activity. Sit down and go through their browser history and talk about the places they’ve been visiting. Also, take this time to inform your family of new potential threats or schemes you’ve heard about. Being open and honest about internet use will help keep everyone safe.

The internet isn’t going anywhere and the habits you teach your children now will carry with them throughout their lives. Teach your kids about download safety and you will reduce the chances of becoming a victim now and in the future.

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Last Minute Tips To Avoid Tax Identity Theft

Last Minute Tips To Avoid Tax Identity Theft

April 15th is right around the corner. Also known as “Tax Day”, this is the last day you can file your tax return for the previous year. With the deadline looming, it can be easy to become lax in securing your information. Your information is valuable and there are criminals who are looking for it. Use these last minute tips to avoid tax identity theft.

File Your Tax Return ASAP

This tip may seem obvious, but get your tax return filed right away. You still want to make sure your taxes are done properly, so don’t rush. However, the longer you wait the more time someone has to file a fraudulent return under your identification. Criminals know that this is their last chance to obtain fraudulent tax returns until next year. They are making a push to obtain as much personal information as possible before the 15th. Go ahead and file your return so you can rest easy.

Shred Important Documents

One of the easiest ways for a criminal to obtain your information is by finding it on a piece of paper. Tax documents, bank statements, receipts can all be used to locate even more personal information. Shred any and all documents with valuable information to avoid it falling into the wrong hands. Another option is to keep sensitive documents under lock and key. Whichever option you choose, be diligent in protecting your information.

Get A Locking Mailbox

The last tip goes hand-in-hand with the first two tips. Criminals are on the prowl for information and you need to protect it. What do you do to prevent your important documents from being stolen before you ever see them? Outfit your home with a locking mailbox. A mailbox that can have mail inserted, but not retrieved without a key will keep prying eyes off of your personal information.

Tax time is stressful. Try using these last minute tips to avoid tax identity theft and reduce some of that stress. Once your return is filed, you’ll have an entire year until you have to do it again. Well, not an entire year. Hopefully, next year you will file as early as possible!

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Avoiding Posthumous Identity Theft

Avoiding Posthumous Identity Theft

It is said that there are five stages of grief following the death of a family member or close friend: denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance. Dealing with the loss of a loved one is extremely difficult. Tying up the deceased’s loose ends can prolong the grieving process because it keeps the reality of the situation at the forefront of your mind. However, the reality is that there are people who will look to take advantage of a death. Avoiding posthumous identity theft is something that the ones left behind must make  a priority.

What Is Posthumous Identity Theft?

When someone dies, their information doesn’t go away. This information can be stolen and used to apply for credit or loans. Criminals can also use this information to file fraudulent tax returns in order to receive the refund.

How Is The Deceased’s Information Obtained?

Experienced criminals can browse obituaries, hospital records or funeral home schedules to learn of new deaths. Public records often include much of the personal information needed to follow through with posthumous identity theft. You must insure that the deceased person’s information is protected.

Tips To Avoid Posthumous Identity Theft

  • Often the first item of business will be writing the obituary for a loved one. We advise you not to post any personal information, such as the deceased’s birthdate or exact date of death, middle name, maiden names or relatives’ names.
  • Immediately record the death in the National Death Registry.
  • Obtain multiple original death certificates (10-12 is a good starting point) to use in the reporting of the death to the proper outlets.
  • Next, placing a credit freeze on the deceased’s credit file with the three major credit bureaus (TransUnion, Equifax and Experian) is a wise decision. They will be able to flag the file as ‘deceased’.
  • All physical documents should be kept under lock and key.
  • Notify the Social Security Administration, all financial institutions, and insurance companies to report the death.

Losing a loved one is something that no one wants to think about, much less go through. It is important to be prepared when the situation inevitably arises. Avoiding posthumous identity theft will give you the peace of mind to know that your loved one’s information is protected.