
- Contact financial and credit institutions: If you suspect that your personal information has been compromised, notify your banks, credit card companies, and other financial institutions immediately. These organizations can help you protect your accounts and prevent unauthorized transactions.
- Place fraud alerts on your credit reports: Request that credit agencies (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) place a fraud alert on your credit report. This will require businesses to verify your identity before opening new accounts in your name, making it more difficult for your stolen information to be used.
- Check your credit reports: Obtain free copies of your credit reports from the annualcreditreport.com website and review each report for suspicious accounts or transactions. If you find unauthorized activity, contact the credit agency and the corresponding financial institution to resolve the issue.
- Change passwords and strengthen security: Update the passwords for your online accounts, especially those related to finances, email, and social networks. Make sure to use unique and secure passwords, combining letters, numbers, and symbols. Consider using a password manager to facilitate the process.
- Enable two-factor authentication: Activate two-factor authentication (2FA) on all accounts that allow it. This provides an additional layer of security by requiring a unique code, sent to your mobile device or email, in addition to your password.
- Monitor your bank accounts and credit cards: Review your bank accounts and credit card statements regularly to detect suspicious transactions. If you detect unauthorized activity, report it immediately to the corresponding financial institution.
- File a police report: If you have been a victim of identity theft, file a police report to document the incident. This can be helpful in supporting future credit disputes or unauthorized charges.
- Consult an identity recovery professional: If you have been a victim of identity theft, consider seeking the help of an identity recovery professional. These experts can guide you through the recovery process and help you protect your identity in the future.
Author
Dr. Gilberto Crespo is an information security researcher & technology expert. He has been working for more than 23 years in the information technology industries, cybersecurity, financial, higher education, and life coaching. He is also a motivational and leadership speaker.