Identity theft is a nightmare scenario. Your personal information is stolen and used by the criminal to obtain credit in your name. The crook can steal from your bank account, but that’s not where the damage ends. Ruining your credit score or committing fraudulent crimes in your name can have serious financial drawbacks for you, even when you’re none the wiser.

The best method to protect against identity theft is to ensure it never happens. These five steps will help you safeguard your personal information and deny any crooks looking to take advantage of you.

1. Use Updated Anti-Virus Software

Criminals use malware to steal usernames, passwords and personal information from their victims. Once installed on your computer, the invasive software will scan keystrokes and send everything you type back to the thief. In order to safeguard against malware, install a trusted anti-virus and keep it up to date. It will block the malicious software from downloading and remove anything nasty you accidentally installed.

2. Access the Internet Securely

You’d be surprised how many people’s password is ‘password’. You might even be guilty of using an oversimplified password yourself. To prevent criminals from cracking into your accounts, set up multiple complex passwords with capitalized and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.

Even if you’re sure the recipient is trustworthy, never send important documents or personal information over email–unless they’re protected by a secure password. If either you or the recipient’s account is compromised, the hacker will be able to see those emails and the information contained inside.

Accessing Wi-Fi from public hotspots opens up your computer to invasion. Nearby hackers can get into your computer through the shared network and even see what’s on your monitor. If you must use the internet at a café, don’t log into any accounts or use a computer storing any personal information.

3. Identify and Avoid Phishing Scams

Phishing scams are a form of social engineering to trick you into willingly giving your information to criminals. They come in a number of forms, from deceptive emails riddled with computer viruses to surveys insisting you’ll win a cool prize if you fill out the required information. Sophisticated phishing scams appear personable and legit at first glance, so be sure to read emails carefully before clicking any links.

Don’t fall for these schemes–if it’s too good to be true, it’s a crook after your money.

4. Keep Your Information Private

The internet isn’t the only way thieves can acquire your information. Criminals don’t mind getting their hands dirty, so destroy sensitive documents before tossing them in the trash. Shred everything that has account numbers or identifiers and cut up expired credit cards to make sure no one unsavory gets their hands on them.

In the age of social media, privacy is a thing of the past. While it’s okay to share what you ate for breakfast or pictures of your cute cat, keep certain things private. Criminals can and will use information from your profile to steal your identity. This includes exact birth dates and answers to your security questions, such as pet names, where you went to school, and your mother’s maiden name.

Before you toss or post anything, ask yourself if a criminal can use it against you.

5. Monitor Bank Accounts and Credit Reports

If a criminal is making use of your identity, you might not even be aware of it. Check your bank statements for any mysterious charges. If someone’s traipsing the mall with your credit card, it’s better to know right away.

Monitoring your credit score is just as important. Identity thieves might open new accounts in your name and destroy your rating. Set up regular credit reports and keep an eye out for any unaccountable changes. The moment something suspicious pops up, you can shut it down.

Identity theft is a serious problem that affects millions of people every year. With just your username and password, crooks can use your information to steal your money and drive your credit score into the dirt. Make sure you don’t become another victim by protecting yourself against the slippery tactics criminals use.

Identity theft protection should now be considered an essential part of your financial plan. It’s one investment you can’t afford to be without. IDShield offered through Legalshield can help provide you with optimal protection against the dark web, identity and credit monitoring and even full restoration services as part of your membership. Get protected today!

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