The country and specific regional areas has been hit hard over the past few months with identity theft and fraud. Another epidemic has been catfishing, where someone steals your pictures and profile from social media and poses as you. MTV made a hit show about it. Facebook has even changed their privacy settings yet again and has been flagging more people who request people they do not know. The IRS even had a delay in filing and completing 2012 federal returns.
I have dealt and helped protect against identity theft for quite some time now. Here are some tips to make your life in cyberspace and beyond easier.
1. Change your password every three-six months, and make it something hard for others to guess.
It is suprising to me how many people do not change their passwords, or make their passwords so mundane and easy. Make your password a combination of numbers, letters and even symbols. I like how PayPal does their security. You must have one uppercase letter, a number and a character in your password. Also, do not write down your password. That is the easiest way for someone to get to your information.
2. Refrain from clicking on untrustworthy links.
Often we may receive emails or FB messages from friends with a strange link. Do not click that link. Afterwards, alert that friend of their account being compromised.
3. Set your privacy settings on social media to the max and change them often.
Social media has to change how their privacy is regularly to keep up with changes. Therefore, check every few months that your privacy settings are tight. Basically, you want your accounts to be like Fort Knox or a Las Vegas casino: nearly impossible to crack. No one that you do not want to should see your profile, updates, tweets, or pictures.
4. Register with your state sponsored identity theft program.
This doesn't take long, is free and will give you further protection. Many states also provide a free credit report with registration. You will receive alerts if your report has any sort of changes. Also, if your state does not offer this, write your Congress representative and fight to implement it.
5. Be careful on who knows your personal info, especially your social security number.
People often do not mind letting others have their passwords, or even banking information. However info such as this can be the skeleton key to you as a person. Utilize PayPal more when paying bills so you won't have to give banking information. Ensure that your bank or credit union has top notch research, and quick response times if you have to report a stolen check or debit card.
6. Report intrusive, abusive and suspect users
If someone seems grimey or posts and sends spam constantly, reach out to them. If they continue, report them to the popular authorities so they won't harm anyone else. They can be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
7. Invite and meet new friends into your life, but keep a tight and close circle.
Some social networks only want you requesting folks that you know. However, if you choose not to do that, at least speak to that person first. Have some mutual friends that you can ask each other about. Also have a good tight, trustworthy circle that can back you when intruders do come along.
I have said this before "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure" Protect yourselves properly.
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