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Chances are you’ve received alarming emails about your personal info being leaked on the Dark Web. Maybe you saved it to ‘deal with later,’ and now it’s collecting digital dust in your inbox. Or you might’ve clicked through, checked out the details, and thought, ‘Okay, now what?’ Don’t worry; I’ve got you covered. This week, I’m walking you through simple steps to take when you get one of these ominous emails. And even if you haven’t, stick around—there are some easy tips you can use right now to protect yourself from being hacked or falling victim to identity theft.
Passwords
Remember that password you’ve been holding onto like a cherished secret? The one you pieced together with letters, numbers, and special characters ages ago—so complex yet unforgettable because you’ve been using it everywhere? Well, it’s time to say goodbye. Sooner or later, websites get hacked, your info leaks, and suddenly your ultra-secret, all-time favorite password is out there for the world to see. Always create a new password for each new account, and don’t use the same password everywhere. Keeping track of all those passwords can get overwhelming, which is why a password manager is your new best friend. Here are some great ones to check out.
Credit
You’re one of my favorite people, and the last thing we want is for some imposter to pretend to be you, open accounts in your name, and go on a shopping spree with your good credit. Unfortunately, with the right information, identity theft is surprisingly easy to pull off. With recent leaks like this one, it’s safe to assume that hackers might already have access to your personal information, including your social security number. But don’t worry, you’ve got a secret weapon: freezing your credit with the bureaus. This simple step stops the bad guys in their tracks because when they try to pull your credit, they’ll hit a brick wall. Here an excellent article on how to freeze your credit with all three bureaus
Monitoring
Being alerted in a timely manner can make all the difference, which is why I recommend monitoring your financial identity for unauthorized activity and keeping an eye on the Dark Web for any leaked passwords you might still be using. Let’s start with your finances: Most banks and credit card institutions allow you to set up email notifications for transactions above a certain dollar amount—a great way to catch unauthorized transactions quickly. For your financial identity, credit monitoring services can help you spot events like the opening of new accounts in your name (you can check out some of the top options here), but remember, freezing your credit file is still more effective than just monitoring it. Now, about the Dark Web: Signing up for a service that tracks the source of password leaks and identifies compromised passwords—like our Dark Web monitoring service—can help you take swift action. Changing leaked passwords quickly and never reusing them will go a long way in reducing the risk of someone breaching your accounts.
Insurance
If you’re considering a credit monitoring service, look for one that offers identity theft insurance with U.S.-based support and a solid track record. This can be a real lifesaver if you ever fall victim to financial fraud. Most identity monitoring services have 24/7 hotlines. If you find yourself in the unfortunate position of dealing with fraud, having a knowledgeable voice on the other end of the line can be a game-changer. They can guide you through the chaos, helping you prioritize important next steps. Plus, that insurance can really save the day if your funds are stolen and can’t be recovered. It’s worth having a chat with your insurance agent about this kind of coverage, or checking out the credit monitoring services here, most of which offer such coverage.
If there’s one thing you do after reading this article, let it be freezing your credit. Identity fraud is a growing threat, and you can protect yourself significantly by taking a few simple steps—at no cost to you. Do you have any additional tips or stories you’d like to share?
– Burak Sarac, Team Lead
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