How to Protect Yourself From Identity Theft in 2024

Identity theft continues to be a major problem in 2024. Here’s how to protect yourself and avoid becoming a victim of identity theft this year:

Monitor Your Credit Reports and Accounts

The first line of defense is vigilantly monitoring your credit reports and accounts.

• Get your free annual credit reports from AnnualCreditReport.com and review them for any suspicious activity. Do this for all three major credit bureaus – Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.

• Sign up for credit monitoring services that notify you of any new accounts opened in your name or changes to your existing accounts. Many banks and credit card companies offer this for free.

• Routinely check your financial accounts and statements for any unauthorized transactions. Report anything suspicious to your bank right away.

• Consider freezing your credit when you are not applying for new credit. This prevents criminals from opening new accounts in your name. It’s free and you can temporarily lift the freeze when needed.

Protect Your Personal Information

Safeguard your sensitive personal and financial information:

• Shred documents containing personal information before throwing them out.

• Only provide your SSN when absolutely necessary. Don’t carry your SSN card in your wallet.

• Don’t share sensitive information over the phone, mail or internet unless you initiated the contact or are sure of the source.

• Limit what’s shared on social media – scammers can use details to steal your identity.

• Use strong unique passwords and enable multi-factor authentication when available.

Be Wary of Scams

Watch out for common tactics scammers use to steal personal information:

• Phishing emails seeking to infect your device or trick you into entering login credentials on fake websites.

• Unsolicited calls claiming to be from the IRS, Social Security, or tech support. These are nearly always scams.

• Malware that gets installed on your devices to harvest login and financial details. Keep software updated.

• Public Wi-Fi networks are often not secure. Avoid accessing sensitive accounts or sharing personal info when connected.

• Skimming devices attached to ATMs and gas pumps to steal debit/credit card details. Use ATMs inside banks when possible and pay inside with cash at gas stations.

Other Precautions

• Check if your state allows you to freeze your children’s credit. This will prevent thieves from stealing their identity.

• Don’t carry your birth certificate or leave it lying around the house. Get a certified copy to verify identity when required.

• Order new checks and credit/debit cards delivered to your bank branch instead of your mailbox where they can be stolen.

• Carefully dispose of old devices – overwrite drives or destroy them to avoid personal data being compromised.

• Set up login alerts with your mobile provider and financial institutions to be notified of account logins.

Staying vigilant is key to preventing identity theft. Being aware of the risks and taking preventative measures can help protect you in 2024 and beyond.