Your Year-End Security Checklist: 4 Simple Ways to Protect Your Identity

As the year comes to a close, it's the perfect time to check on your personal security. Identity theft is a big problem. Thieves are always hunting for an easy target to steal from and impersonate for nefarious purposes.

But the good news is that we won’t leave you alone to deal with the unknowns of identity theft. You can protect yourself with just a few easy steps that we will lay out for you here. Walk into the new year feeling confident and empowered with your security choices!

1. Review and strengthen your passwords

Your passwords are like the locks on your doors. If they're weak or easy to guess, thieves can break in. Many people use the same password for everything. This is dangerous. If a thief gets one password, they can get into all your accounts and wreak havoc across the board.

Take some time to look at all your passwords. Make sure each one is different and strong. A good password has letters, numbers, and special symbols mixed together. It should be at least 12 characters long. Don't use easy-to-guess information like your birthday or your pet's name.

Here are some important password rules to follow:

• Never use the same password for more than one account.

• Don't save passwords in your web browser where thieves can find them.

• Change passwords that are weak or old.

• Use a password manager to keep track of all your passwords safely.

• Never share your passwords with anyone.

2. Update security settings on your devices

Your phone, computer, and tablet need good security too. Old security settings can have holes that let thieves in. Updating your devices is like fixing the locks on your doors to make them stronger.

Check all your devices and make sure they have the newest security updates. Turn on two-factor authentication whenever you can. This means you need two things to log in, like a password and a code sent to your phone. It's much harder for thieves to get past this extra layer of protection.

Don't forget about these important updates:

• Install the latest software updates on all your devices.

• Turn on automatic updates so you don't miss important security fixes.

• Review app permissions and remove access for apps you don't use anymore.

3. Check your credit reports

Your credit report is like a report card for your money. It shows all your credit cards, loans, and payment history. Thieves who steal your identity often open new accounts in your name. Checking your credit report helps you catch this fast.

You can get a free credit report from each of the three big credit bureaus once a year, as well as credit monitoring with an IDShield Membership (more on that later!).  Look carefully at everything on the report. Make sure all the accounts belong to you. If you see anything strange, report it right away.

4. Be careful what you share on social media during the holidays

The holidays are a fun time to share photos and updates with friends and family. But sharing too much can give thieves the information they need to steal your identity. When you post about your vacation or show off new purchases, thieves are watching.

Think twice before you post during the holiday season. Don't share information like your full birthday, your address, or when you'll be away from home. Wait until after your trip to post vacation photos, to make sure that opportunists don’t know when your home is empty. Be careful about sharing pictures that show your credit cards, tickets, or boarding passes.

How IDShield can help protect you

Following this list of security steps is a great start, but identity theft protection takes constant work. IDShield makes it easy by monitoring your identity 24/7. The service monitors your Social Security number, social media, credit score, and even the dark web where thieves buy and sell stolen information. If something suspicious happens, you'll get an alert right away.

If your identity does get stolen, IDShield provides full restoration services with licensed private investigators who work on your case. They handle all the paperwork and phone calls to restore your identity to its pre-theft status. Plans start at just $14.95 per month and include up to $3 million in identity fraud protection for certain identity fraud expenses, underlying losses, and legal costs as a result of a covered identity fraud event.

Ready to protect your identity year-round? Visit IDShield.com/individual-plan today to view membership plans and sign up for identity theft protection.

IDShield is a trademark of Pre-Paid Legal Services, Inc. (“LegalShield”). LegalShield provides access to identity theft services through membership-based participation. IDShield is a product of LegalShield. Some of the services provided under the plan by third party providers are subject to change without notice. All Licensed Private Investigators are licensed in the state of Oklahoma. The information made available in this blog is meant to provide general information and is not intended to provide professional advice, render an opinion, or provide are commendation as to a specific matter. The blog post is not a substitute for competent and professional advice. Information contained in the blog may be provided by authors who could be third-party paid contributors. All information by authors is accepted in good faith; however, LegalShield makes no representation or warranty of any kind, express or implied, regarding the accuracy, adequacy, validity, reliability, availability, or completeness of such information. The Identity Theft Insurance is underwritten and administered by American Bankers Insurance Company of Florida, an Assurant company. LegalShield is not an insurance carrier. Please refer to the actual policies for terms, conditions, and exclusions of coverage. Coverage may not be available in all jurisdictions.

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