Protecting Your Identity: How to Stay Secure in a Digital World

Phishing scams use fake emails, text messages (referred to as “smishing scams” or “sms-phishing scams”), and websites to trick individuals into sharing personal information. While having malicious intent, these messages can appear to come from legitimate sources including banks, government agencies, coworkers, etc.

Cyber attackers usually use these messages to get you to share sensitive details that can include login credentials, Social Security numbers, and banking information. They may pose themselves as coming from regular, reliable contact of yours and can create a sense of urgency for you to click on false links. These links can potentially contain viruses or malicious software that can infiltrate your online data sources. These messages are often inconspicuous and always illegitimate.

Never click on links in unsolicited emails. Instead, visit the official website directly to verify any requests. Look for red flags like generic greetings, misspelled domain names, and urgent language. Make sure you hover over hyperlinked text to identify links before you click on it. Follow your gut; if something feels wrong, it probably is. When in doubt, message your contacts you already have directly to ask them if they sent the message to you.

Never click on links in unsolicited emails. Instead, visit the official website directly to verify any requests. Look for red flags like generic greetings, misspelled domain names, and urgent language. Make sure you hover over hyperlinked text to identify links before you click on it. Follow your gut; if something feels wrong, it probably is. When in doubt, message your contacts you already have directly to ask them if they sent the message to you.

Companies that store consumer data can also be targets for hackers. These institutions can include banks, healthcare providers, and retailers. Banks, healthcare providers, and retailers are common targets because they store vast amounts of personal data, including Social Security numbers, credit card details, and login credentials. A data breach occurs when hackers infiltrate a company’s systems and steal this sensitive consumer information, often leading to widespread financial and personal consequences.

When these institutions suffer a breach, the fallout can be devastating—not only for the company, which faces financial losses, lawsuits, and reputational damage, but also for its customers, whose personal information may be used for identity theft and fraud. Even if an individual practices strong cybersecurity habits, they remain vulnerable if the businesses they trust fail to protect their data. This is why staying vigilant—monitoring credit reports, enabling fraud alerts, and using unique passwords for different accounts—is important in today’s digital world.

While you can't prevent a company from experiencing a data breach, you can take steps to minimize the risk of identity theft and financial fraud if your information is compromised.

Use unique, strong passwords for each account to prevent hackers from accessing multiple services if one login is exposed. A password manager can help generate and store complex passwords securely. In addition to unique passwords, enabling two-factor authentication (2FA) to online accounts can add an extra layer of security, making it more difficult for hackers to gain access even if they steal your password. It is important to regularly monitor your credit reports and bank statements for signs of fraud. This can help you catch any red warning flags early on. Many banks offer real-time transaction alerts, and you can check your credit reports through agencies like Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion.

If you're notified that your information was part of a breach, act quickly by changing passwords, enabling additional security features, and monitoring for unauthorized activity. Many companies provide free credit monitoring to affected customers—take advantage of these services to stay ahead of potential fraud. Being proactive about identity protection can help safeguard your personal and financial security in an increasingly digital world.

Card skimming is a highly deceptive method of identity theft where criminals attach hidden devices to legitimate card readers—including ATMs, gas station pumps, or checkout terminals. These skimmers are designed to blend in with the machine, making them difficult to spot. When you swipe or insert your card, the skimming device quietly captures the information stored on the card’s magnetic strip, including your card number and expiration date.

Once they’ve gathered enough data, fraudsters can use your card details to make unauthorized purchases, withdraw cash, or even sell your information. It is difficult to realize anything is wrong until fraudulent charges appear on your account or your bank flags suspicious activity.

Use a locked or secure mailbox, especially if you’re frequently away from home or live in an area with shared mail access. Shred any documents that contain personal or financial information before throwing them away. These steps seem simple but can make it significantly harder for identity thieves to steal your information the old-fashioned way.

Card skimming is a highly deceptive method of identity theft where criminals attach hidden devices to legitimate card readers—including ATMs, gas station pumps, or checkout terminals. These skimmers are designed to blend in with the machine, making them difficult to spot. When you swipe or insert your card, the skimming device quietly captures the information stored on the card’s magnetic strip, including your card number and expiration date.

Once they’ve gathered enough data, fraudsters can use your card details to make unauthorized purchases, withdraw cash, or even sell your information. It is difficult to realize anything is wrong until fraudulent charges appear on your account or your bank flags suspicious activity.

The most effective way to guard against skimming is to use tap-to-pay or chip-enabled cards, which encrypt your data and can be harder to clone than magnetic stripe cards. Before using a card reader—especially at unattended locations like gas stations or outdoor ATMs—inspect the machine. Look for loose parts, bulky attachments, or anything that doesn’t seem to match the rest of the terminal. If the card reader jiggles or looks tampered with, trust your instincts and find another machine. If possible, use bank ATMs located inside branches. Keeping a close eye on your transaction history and enabling fraud alerts can also help you catch unauthorized charges early and take swift action.

Even with strong security measures in place, identity theft can still happen. It is important to regularly check your accounts and statements to ensure nothing out of the ordinary appears. Catching cyberattacks early on can help you prevent the situation from worsening quickly and drastically.

Watch for these warning signs for fraudulent activity:

• Unfamiliar Charges on Your Accounts: Small, unexplained charges can be test transactions by fraudsters.
• Bills or Credit Card Statements for Accounts You Didn’t Open: Someone may have used your identity to open fraudulent accounts.
• Denied Credit Applications Despite a Good Credit History: Identity thieves may have taken out loans or credit cards in your name.
• IRS Notices for Tax Filings You Didn’t Make: Fraudsters can file fraudulent tax returns using stolen Social Security numbers.
• Unauthorized Login Attempts on Your Accounts: If you receive security alerts for login attempts you don’t recognize, your credentials may be compromised.

Freezing your credit can be an effective way to protect yourself from identity theft. This can be done before any suspicious activity occurs. When you freeze your credit, it prevents lenders from accessing your credit report, which in turn blocks anyone—including potential identity thieves—from opening new credit accounts in your name. The freeze doesn’t affect your existing credit cards or loans, and you can temporarily lift or remove it at any time if you’re applying for credit yourself. It's a simple, free tool offered by all three major credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion) that adds a powerful layer of defense against fraudulent activity.

While all three credit bureaus have slightly different requirements, you will generally need you SSN, date of birth, address, and answers to authentication questions to make these freezes. Freezing your credit helps to prevent new credit accounts from being established in your name by blocking access to your credit report. This is a strong protection measure against criminal use of your credit without permission. You may also consider a monitoring service provider like LifeLock, Aura or IDSheild to monitor and further protect yourself against other forms of identity theft.

If you notice red flags or suspect you’ve been a victim of identity theft, act quickly to minimize the damage:

1. Contact Your Bank and Credit Card Issuers – Report unauthorized transactions immediately.
2. Place a Fraud Alert or Freeze Your Credit – Notify Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion to prevent further misuse.
3. Dispute Unauthorized Transactions – Work with your financial institutions to recover lost funds.
4. File a Police Report (If Necessary) – Helps establish an official record of the fraud.
5. Change Passwords & Strengthen Account Security – Prevents further access by fraudsters.

Identity theft is an evolving threat, but proactive measures can significantly reduce your risk. By staying vigilant, using strong authentication methods, and monitoring your accounts regularly, you can protect yourself from fraud and find peace of mind.