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Why Identity Protection is Vital to Your Personal Safety
Identity theft is one of the biggest problems facing individuals today, it's also one of the most common. According to an AARP study, over half of all Americans have had their identity stolen at some point in their lives and yet, people still aren't doing enough to protect themselves from identity theft and fraud. Why? The answer is complicated: there are so many ways for criminals to steal information and too many things’ people do wrong daily that make it easy!
However, with some education, attention, diligence, and help on our part you can all take steps toward protecting yourself from this threat by making yourself a harder target for scammers looking for easy prey.
What is Identity Theft?
Identity theft is when someone uses your personal information and data to open accounts, take out loans, or access your bank account. Identity theft can happen through hacking, phishing (a type of email scam), and other types of scams. In some cases, the thief might be someone you know well enough to share personal information with—maybe a family member or friend who has gained access to your home or car keys.
In any case, when someone steals your identity it’s important to act quickly so that you don't have major financial problems later down the road due to unauthorized purchases made in your name.
Read about the Most Common Types of Scams and Identity Theft
Why Identity Protection Is Important
So, you may be wondering, “Why should I care about identity protection?” After all, it doesn't sound like that big of a deal, but the truth is that if your personal information is stolen and used for fraud it can have serious consequences for your finances and credit score. Here are some things to keep in mind:
- Identity Theft Can Ruin Your Credit History - If someone uses your personal information to open new accounts or take out loans without your permission, then those activities will show up on your credit report as "negative information." This will lower your score—and possibly make it difficult or impossible for you to get approved when applying for new loans or credit cards.
- Identity Theft Can Cost You Money - Once criminals have taken over one of their victims' identities and racked up debt under that person's name (or created fake accounts), they often don't pay back what they owe right away. Instead, they wait until the account has been fully established before making payments or closing out the loan entirely. The victim is left dealing with creditors who are owed money by someone else—and trying to convince them none of this was their fault!
How Do You Know if Your Identity Has Been Stolen?
There are many signs that your identity has been stolen: phone calls from collection agencies, fraud alerts on your credit reports and bank statements, bills for services that you didn't order or use; even having legal problems because someone else has committed crimes with your name attached.
There are also more subtle signs: emails asking for personal information that seem suspicious or just don't look right; unexplained overdraft fees on checking accounts; unexplained charges on credit card statements when they usually haven't been used recently at all...these could be signs that someone else has taken over your online life without permission!
It’s Not Just Your Personal Information at Risk
Identity theft is not just about personal information. Businesses are also at risk of having their identities stolen. Hackers can use your business’s identity to commit fraud and steal from you, or worse yet, they might be able to steal the credit card data of your customers.
How Can I Stop Identity Thieves from Stealing my Information?
There are a few main ways to prevent identity theft. One way is by using a password manager, which helps you remember all your passwords with more than one account. The other way is by making sure that your information isn't accessible online in the first place, you want it locked up tight.
- Password Manager: These programs store all your log-in information in one place and then use complex encryption to keep it safe from prying eyes. They also generate strong passwords for each account, so you don't have to worry about whether they're secure enough.
- Two-Step Verification: This feature is available on many websites and apps, including Gmail and Facebook; when activated, it requires people trying to access an account (that's done through a username and password) to enter something else like a security code or biometric scan before being allowed in. This makes it harder for hackers because they need more info than just a username/password combo before gaining access.
- VPN: A virtual private network (VPN) keeps internet traffic encrypted as it moves between devices connected through Wi-Fi networks at home or work; this means anyone trying trace what you’re doing online won't be able to see anything but gibberish unless they've got very sophisticated equipment at their disposal!
Subscribe to an Identity Protection Service
If you're still uncomfortable with your online presence, take an extra step and subscribe to an identity protection service like MIProTechs MIProtect Identity Protection. MIProtect identity protection gives you and the people you care about total identity protection. It provides digital coverage and security so you can keep your identity, finances, social media, and safer from online predators, scams, and hacks.
Identity Theft Can be Completely Avoided
The MIProtect by MIProTechs can help you avoid becoming a victim of identity theft. We provide a variety of services to assist you in defending yourself against thieves and fraudsters who seek to steal your personal data. You can dramatically lower your risk of becoming a victim of identity theft by utilizing our service in conjunction with a password manager, two-factor authentication, and strong passwords on crucial accounts like online banking accounts or social media profiles.
In today’s digital world, it’s more important than ever to take measures to protect your identity. Let us help you safeguard your most valuable information, don’t wait until it’s too late. Give our team a call today!