Identity Theft Prevention Tips for Families
Identity thieves often target families due to the potential for multiple opportunities within a single household. This makes them more vulnerable to identity theft, as fraudsters can exploit all or some family members' personal and financial information.
Because family members of all ages are at risk of identity theft, they must learn how to protect their identity and use the Internet, email, and apps safely and securely. This Ameris Bank blog article features a variety of identity theft prevention tips for you and your family.
When you and your family members share an understanding of identity theft and follow best practices, the risk of becoming a victim is dramatically reduced. Initiating open discussions with your entire family regarding online risks, cybercrime, and identity theft prevention strategies is fundamental to achieving this.
Some key topics to cover are email, text, and phone fraud and how to recognize and respond to it. You should also discuss safe Internet use, social media, and apps. Lastly, your family members should know the risks of using computers and mobile devices in public settings without a secure Wi-Fi connection and leaving them unlocked and without password protection.
Many children are unaware of identity theft, its potential risks, and how it can happen. This lack of awareness and understanding can be attributed to their limited use of computers, mobile devices, and the Internet, as well as their unfamiliarity with the tactics employed by identity thieves to access sensitive personal information unlawfully.
If you have one or more younger children, focus on basic Internet safety rules and the importance of not sharing personal information online, visiting suspicious-looking websites, or sharing devices with friends. You can go one step further by monitoring your child's Internet history or using parental controls to block or filter their online activities.
If you're the parent of a teenager, introduce more advanced concepts like recognizing identity theft attempts (e.g., spam emails and texts, fraudulent popups on websites) and understanding the potential consequences of oversharing personal information and pictures on social media. Social media posts can lead to possible identity theft or stalking, as well as reputational damage. In addition, teenagers should always be cautious of suspicious friend requests, as identity thieves can create realistic-looking spoof accounts.
Next, ensure that your teenager doesn't leave their computer, tablet, or mobile device unattended in public places such as cafes, libraries, or parks where someone else could easily take it. It's important to remind them to always keep their devices with them or securely stored to prevent the risk of theft.
Seniors often have substantial retirement savings, stable income from pensions or Social Security, and good credit scores, making them attractive targets for identity fraudsters. Moreover, many seniors are less familiar with digital security measures, exposing them to online scams. Their trusting nature can also make them more susceptible to manipulation.
Phishing emails, fake tech support calls, and impersonations of government officials and financial institution representatives are common scams targeting seniors. It is vital to educate seniors in your family about these risks and how to identify and ignore them. Reiterate that banks, financial institutions, credit card companies, etc., will never contact them asking for personal or financial information or passwords. These tips can create a safer online environment for seniors in your family and preserve their hard-earned financial security.
Creating strong passwords is an excellent way to defend against identity thieves. Encourage everyone in your family to use a unique array of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols for each account. You can also use a secure password management tool to create and store complex passwords in an encrypted digital vault. Regardless of the password option you and your family members select, keeping your passwords in a safe place where nobody can access them is a good idea.
Safe Internet browsing habits are equally important. Remind your family to recognize phishing attempts, avoid clicking on suspicious website links, and use careful judgment when sharing personal information online. Emphasize the importance of keeping computer software and antivirus programs up-to-date with the latest versions to protect against the latest threats. Plus, make sure to regularly update the operating systems of mobile phones, as the updates might include security improvements.
Cybercriminals and identity thieves create web pages that look and function like legitimate web pages and use unscrupulous methods to lure people of all ages to visit them. For example, an online advertisement or social media post with a cartoon character might attract children to click on it, taking them to a bogus webpage that asks them to download software or digital files that contain malware or enter personal information (name, address, telephone number, etc.).
Cybercriminals and identity thieves also use similar tactics on teens, adults, and seniors. Don't let your family members fall victim to them! Remind everyone in your family how to recognize and avoid online and email scams. Avoid clicking on potentially harmful website links and popups, and delete and block suspicious emails in your inbox. You and your family should become familiar with the telltale signs of phishing emails—poor grammar, generic greetings, and email addresses that don't match the supposed sender.
By clearing your computer or mobile devices' browser history and Internet cache, you're giving your browser a fresh start, leading to faster page loading times and smoother overall performance. But that's just the start. This practice can help protect your privacy and identity by removing traces of your online activities and shielding you from specific security vulnerabilities. Some malicious scripts and malware can exploit cached data, so you're reducing potential attacks by clearing them.
Each computer, tablet, and mobile phone has its own specific steps for clearing browsing history and Internet cache. To find out how to clear these on your family's devices, you can search online or contact the manufacturer for instructions tailored to your devices and browsers.
It's essential to regularly check all of your family's financial accounts for any signs of fraudulent activity and identity theft. This includes reviewing bank statements, credit card transactions, and other accounts where financial transactions occur. Be vigilant for suspicious activity and fake accounts and immediately report any potential issues to the financial institution.
Most banks and credit card companies offer customizable alerts that notify you of various activities, such as large purchases, international transactions, or when your balance drops below a certain threshold. By activating these alerts, you'll be instantly aware of any potentially fraudulent activity, allowing you to act swiftly.
Protecting your family from identity theft is not just a one-time task but an ongoing commitment, mainly because cybercriminals are constantly devising new ways to steal identities and commit other online crimes. By implementing the strategies we've discussed, you're taking steps towards safeguarding your loved ones' personal information and financial future.
The opinions voiced in this material are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual.
Because family members of all ages are at risk of identity theft, they must learn how to protect their identity and use the Internet, email, and apps safely and securely. This Ameris Bank blog article features a variety of identity theft prevention tips for you and your family.
Discuss the risks of identity theft with your family
When you and your family members share an understanding of identity theft and follow best practices, the risk of becoming a victim is dramatically reduced. Initiating open discussions with your entire family regarding online risks, cybercrime, and identity theft prevention strategies is fundamental to achieving this.Some key topics to cover are email, text, and phone fraud and how to recognize and respond to it. You should also discuss safe Internet use, social media, and apps. Lastly, your family members should know the risks of using computers and mobile devices in public settings without a secure Wi-Fi connection and leaving them unlocked and without password protection.
Establish a foundation for child's online safety
Many children are unaware of identity theft, its potential risks, and how it can happen. This lack of awareness and understanding can be attributed to their limited use of computers, mobile devices, and the Internet, as well as their unfamiliarity with the tactics employed by identity thieves to access sensitive personal information unlawfully.If you have one or more younger children, focus on basic Internet safety rules and the importance of not sharing personal information online, visiting suspicious-looking websites, or sharing devices with friends. You can go one step further by monitoring your child's Internet history or using parental controls to block or filter their online activities.
Reinforce the importance of online safety with your teen
If you're the parent of a teenager, introduce more advanced concepts like recognizing identity theft attempts (e.g., spam emails and texts, fraudulent popups on websites) and understanding the potential consequences of oversharing personal information and pictures on social media. Social media posts can lead to possible identity theft or stalking, as well as reputational damage. In addition, teenagers should always be cautious of suspicious friend requests, as identity thieves can create realistic-looking spoof accounts.Next, ensure that your teenager doesn't leave their computer, tablet, or mobile device unattended in public places such as cafes, libraries, or parks where someone else could easily take it. It's important to remind them to always keep their devices with them or securely stored to prevent the risk of theft.
Teach identity theft prevention to seniors in your family
Seniors often have substantial retirement savings, stable income from pensions or Social Security, and good credit scores, making them attractive targets for identity fraudsters. Moreover, many seniors are less familiar with digital security measures, exposing them to online scams. Their trusting nature can also make them more susceptible to manipulation.Phishing emails, fake tech support calls, and impersonations of government officials and financial institution representatives are common scams targeting seniors. It is vital to educate seniors in your family about these risks and how to identify and ignore them. Reiterate that banks, financial institutions, credit card companies, etc., will never contact them asking for personal or financial information or passwords. These tips can create a safer online environment for seniors in your family and preserve their hard-earned financial security.
Online safety and password management for the entire family
Creating strong passwords is an excellent way to defend against identity thieves. Encourage everyone in your family to use a unique array of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols for each account. You can also use a secure password management tool to create and store complex passwords in an encrypted digital vault. Regardless of the password option you and your family members select, keeping your passwords in a safe place where nobody can access them is a good idea.Safe Internet browsing habits are equally important. Remind your family to recognize phishing attempts, avoid clicking on suspicious website links, and use careful judgment when sharing personal information online. Emphasize the importance of keeping computer software and antivirus programs up-to-date with the latest versions to protect against the latest threats. Plus, make sure to regularly update the operating systems of mobile phones, as the updates might include security improvements.
Think before you click on website links or email attachments
Cybercriminals and identity thieves create web pages that look and function like legitimate web pages and use unscrupulous methods to lure people of all ages to visit them. For example, an online advertisement or social media post with a cartoon character might attract children to click on it, taking them to a bogus webpage that asks them to download software or digital files that contain malware or enter personal information (name, address, telephone number, etc.).Cybercriminals and identity thieves also use similar tactics on teens, adults, and seniors. Don't let your family members fall victim to them! Remind everyone in your family how to recognize and avoid online and email scams. Avoid clicking on potentially harmful website links and popups, and delete and block suspicious emails in your inbox. You and your family should become familiar with the telltale signs of phishing emails—poor grammar, generic greetings, and email addresses that don't match the supposed sender.
Delete your browser history and Internet cache
By clearing your computer or mobile devices' browser history and Internet cache, you're giving your browser a fresh start, leading to faster page loading times and smoother overall performance. But that's just the start. This practice can help protect your privacy and identity by removing traces of your online activities and shielding you from specific security vulnerabilities. Some malicious scripts and malware can exploit cached data, so you're reducing potential attacks by clearing them.Each computer, tablet, and mobile phone has its own specific steps for clearing browsing history and Internet cache. To find out how to clear these on your family's devices, you can search online or contact the manufacturer for instructions tailored to your devices and browsers.
Monitor your family's financial accounts
It's essential to regularly check all of your family's financial accounts for any signs of fraudulent activity and identity theft. This includes reviewing bank statements, credit card transactions, and other accounts where financial transactions occur. Be vigilant for suspicious activity and fake accounts and immediately report any potential issues to the financial institution.Most banks and credit card companies offer customizable alerts that notify you of various activities, such as large purchases, international transactions, or when your balance drops below a certain threshold. By activating these alerts, you'll be instantly aware of any potentially fraudulent activity, allowing you to act swiftly.
Conclusion
Protecting your family from identity theft is not just a one-time task but an ongoing commitment, mainly because cybercriminals are constantly devising new ways to steal identities and commit other online crimes. By implementing the strategies we've discussed, you're taking steps towards safeguarding your loved ones' personal information and financial future.The opinions voiced in this material are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual.