Today, we will show you five certified benefits of identity theft protection.
Interestingly, more than 65% of Americans suffer from identity theft. Of this figure, 41% had their credit card details stolen, while 16% had their emails hacked.
Table of Contents
What Is Identity Theft?
Identity theft is simply the practice of using another person’s information to commit fraud. Some identity thefts also involve stealing social media information or pictures to create bogus social media profiles to commit cybercrimes.
Every internet user is susceptible to an identity theft crisis. Hence, knowing the benefits you get from protecting your identity will help you to safeguard your personal information.
Best Identity Protection Services
What Data Should You Protect?Â
Since your identity is in question, it is essential to protect your Personally Identifiable Information (PII), including:Â
- Your full name and mother’s maiden name
- National identity numbers, e.g., Social Security Number (SSN), International Passport number, tax identification number, credit card number, driver’s license number, etc.
- Home address and email addresses
- Biometric information such as fingerprints, voice ID, retina scans, etc
- Phone numbers, IP address, and actual location.
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10 Benefits of Identity Theft Protection
Protect your reputation
In today’s interconnected world, safeguarding your reputation is paramount. Identity theft protection shields you from the potential fallout of cybercriminals misusing your personal information.
By assuming your identity, criminals can engage in activities that tarnish your name, both in the physical and online realms. Identity theft protection acts as a crucial line of defence, ensuring that your reputation remains untarnished in the face of malicious attempts.
READ ALSO: OmniWatch Online Identity Protection Review
Keep your finances safe
Identity theft poses a direct threat to your financial well-being. Cybercriminals armed with your personally identifiable information can wreak havoc on your finances by making unauthorized purchases, conducting fraudulent transfers, and even emptying your accounts.
Identity theft protection provides a robust defence against these malicious activities, acting as a financial safeguard that prevents you from being left stranded due to unauthorized transactions.
Secure your insurance coverage
The impact of identity theft extends beyond immediate financial concerns. Insurance companies routinely conduct background checks, scrutinizing your online activities. Identity theft incidents can complicate your ability to obtain coverage or file claims, making it essential to safeguard your digital footprint.
By proactively managing your online presence, identity theft protection ensures that your interactions and purchases online don’t hinder your insurance processes.
Enhance legal protection
Identity protection involves more than just shielding your personal information; it also extends to managing your online presence responsibly. Courts increasingly consider social media content in legal proceedings.
Unwittingly posting compromising information can adversely affect outcomes, as seen in cases where individuals lost custody battles due to viral videos. Identity theft protection guides you in navigating the digital landscape judiciously, minimizing the risk of inadvertently harming your legal standing.
Mitigate the risk of blackmail
Hackers are adept at exploiting personal data for nefarious purposes, including blackmail. Identity theft protection serves as a powerful deterrent against such threats. By securing your data, you reduce the likelihood of compromising images, videos, or texts falling into the wrong hands.
This proactive measure not only shields you from potential blackmail attempts but also spares you the ordeal of dealing with the fallout, whether financial or legal, associated with such malicious activities.
Early Detection and Alerts
One of the many benefits of identity theft protection is early detection and alerts. Identity theft protection often includes monitoring services that can detect suspicious activities early on. Prompt alerts about unauthorized access or unusual transactions enable you to take immediate action, minimizing potential damage.
Early detection is a key preventive measure, allowing you to address issues swiftly and mitigate the impact on your financial and personal well-being.
CHECK OUT: Surfshark Alert – Reliable Dark Web Monitoring Service
Assistance with Recovery
In the unfortunate event that you become a victim of identity theft, protection services often offer assistance with the recovery process.
This can involve guiding you through the necessary steps to reclaim your identity, working with relevant authorities, and providing support to help you navigate the complexities of restoring your compromised information.
Comprehensive Credit Monitoring
Another notable mention among our list of the benefits of identity theft protection is comprehensive credit monitoring. Identity theft can have a lasting impact on your credit score. Many identity theft protection services include comprehensive credit monitoring, allowing you to track changes and potential red flags in your credit report.
This proactive approach enables you to address any discrepancies promptly, safeguarding your creditworthiness and financial stability.
Educational Resources
Identity theft protection services often provide educational resources to help individuals understand and navigate the evolving landscape of cybersecurity.
These resources may include tips on creating strong passwords, recognizing phishing attempts, and adopting secure online practices.
By empowering individuals with knowledge, identity theft protection goes beyond reactive measures, fostering a proactive and informed approach to personal security.
Family Protection
One of the benefits of identity theft protection is family protection. Identity theft protection can extend its coverage to your family members, offering a comprehensive shield against potential threats.
This ensures that your entire household benefits from the same level of security, creating a collective defence against identity theft risks that may target any family member.
READ ALSO: Identity Protection Guide
How To Ensure Identity Theft Protection
To keep your personal and financial information safe, you should:
- Refuse to share privy details with uncertified third parties: Exercise caution when sharing personal information, especially sensitive details, with any third parties. Ensure that the entities requesting such information are certified and have a legitimate need for it. Be wary of unsolicited communication and verify the authenticity of requests before sharing any privy details.
- Enable 2-factor authentication on your digital device: Strengthen the security of your digital devices by enabling two-factor authentication (2FA). This adds an extra layer of protection beyond passwords, requiring a secondary verification step. Whether through a text message, authenticator app, or biometric confirmation, 2FA enhances the resilience of your accounts against unauthorized access.
- Use VPN services to obfuscate your online activity: Employ Virtual Private Network (VPN) services to encrypt and obfuscate your online activities. This enhances your digital privacy by masking your IP address, making it more challenging for cybercriminals to track and exploit your online presence. VPNs are particularly useful when using public Wi-Fi networks, adding an additional layer of security to your internet connection.
- Use strong passwords that are difficult to guess: Craft robust passwords by incorporating a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters. Avoid easily guessable information such as birthdays or common words. Regularly update passwords and refrain from using the same password across multiple accounts. The complexity of your passwords is a crucial defense against unauthorized access.
- Purchase only from trusted e-commerce platforms: Exercise caution when engaging in online transactions and limit purchases to trusted and reputable e-commerce platforms. Verify the security features of the website, such as SSL encryption, before entering any payment information. Be skeptical of unfamiliar websites and always prefer well-established platforms with a proven track record of secure transactions.
- Regularly Monitor Your Financial Statements: Stay vigilant by regularly monitoring your financial statements, including bank and credit card statements. Promptly review transactions to identify any unauthorized or suspicious activity. Timely detection allows you to address potential issues swiftly, minimizing the impact of fraudulent transactions on your financial accounts.
- Shred Sensitive Documents: Dispose of physical documents containing sensitive information, such as bank statements and medical records, by shredding them. This prevents identity thieves from accessing your personal details through discarded paperwork. Investing in a cross-cut shredder adds an extra layer of security to your document disposal practices.
- Be Mindful of Phishing Attempts: Develop a keen awareness of phishing attempts, where cybercriminals try to trick you into revealing personal information through deceptive emails or websites. Verify the legitimacy of emails, especially those requesting sensitive information or containing unexpected attachments or links. Avoid clicking on suspicious links and report phishing attempts to relevant authorities.
- Update and Secure Your Wi-Fi Network: Ensure the security of your home Wi-Fi network by regularly updating the router firmware and using a strong, unique password. Enable WPA3 encryption for enhanced protection. Securing your Wi-Fi network prevents unauthorized access and protects the data transmitted between your devices and the internet.
- Install Security Software and Updates: Utilize reputable antivirus and anti-malware software to protect your devices from potential threats. Regularly update this security software to ensure it remains effective against evolving cyber threats. Additionally, keep your operating system, applications, and browser up to date to patch vulnerabilities and enhance overall digital security.
CHECK OUT: Norton LifeLock Identity Theft Protection
What Are The Reliable Identity Protection Services?
Benefits of Identity Theft Protection: Frequently Asked Questions
How does identity theft protection protect my reputation?
Identity theft protection safeguards your reputation by actively monitoring your personal information. In the event of unauthorized use, the service provides early detection and alerts, allowing you to take swift action.
By preventing cyber criminals from impersonating you and engaging in damaging activities, the protection ensures that your personal and online reputation remains untarnished.
Can identity theft protection help secure my financial assets?
Absolutely. Identity theft protection acts as a robust defence against financial threats. By monitoring your financial accounts for suspicious activity, it helps detect unauthorized transactions, preventing potential financial losses.
Additionally, services often provide assistance with recovery in case of identity theft, guiding you through the process of reclaiming your financial assets.
READ ALSO: How To Spy On Your Kid’s Online Activity And Monitor It
How does identity theft protection assist in legal matters?
Identity theft protection goes beyond shielding personal information; it encompasses responsible online behaviour. Courts increasingly consider social media content in legal proceedings.
By educating users on navigating the digital landscape judiciously, protection services minimize the risk of compromising information and impacting legal outcomes, ensuring a more secure legal standing.
Can identity theft protection prevent blackmail attempts?
Yes, it can. Identity theft protection serves as a deterrent against potential blackmail. By securing your personal data, including compromising images or information, reduces the likelihood of such data falling into the wrong hands.
Proactively safeguarding your digital identity minimizes the risk of being targeted for extortion or facing legal repercussions associated with blackmail attempts.
How does identity theft protection contribute to early detection and alerts?
Identity theft protection often includes monitoring services that actively track your personal information. If any suspicious activity is detected, such as unauthorized access or unusual transactions, the service promptly alerts you.
Early detection is crucial, allowing you to take immediate action to minimize potential damage and address issues swiftly, reinforcing your overall security posture.
Bottom LineÂ
Now that you’re aware of the benefits of identity theft protection, it is expedient that you take active measures to protect your online identity.
By applying any of the best practices mentioned above, you can keep your online privacy and information safe from identity theft.
If you become a victim of identity theft, you should act quickly by contacting your financial institutions and notifying the authorities so that they can take swift action to prevent further damage.
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About the Author:
Fiorella Salazar is a cybersecurity expert, digital privacy advocate, and VPN evangelist based in Canada. She holds an M.Sc. in Cybersecurity from a Canadian university. She is an avid researcher and frequent contributor to several cybersecurity journals and magazines. Her mission is to raise awareness about the importance of digital privacy and the benefits of using a VPN. She is the go-to source for reliable, up-to-date information on VPNs and digital privacy.
