Your personal information is at a higher risk than you think. In 2018, nearly 14.4 million people were victims of identity theft. The primary cause of such thefts is carelessness. Here are some steps you can take to make sure you safeguard your identity.
Financial Documents
Always store your financial documents in a safe place. Shred your receipts, bank statements, checks, expired credit cards, and similar documents when you don’t need them anymore. Whenever you aren’t around, make sure your wallet is kept out of others’ reach.
ID Cards
While running errands, make sure you only carry the identification cards you require. Always store your Social Security Card at a safe place, preferably at home. Before sharing your personal information with a public institution, find out how they will keep your identity safe.
Check for Viruses and Threats
Avoid clicking on any suspicious hyperlinks and hover above them to ensure they are the same as the link address. Always keep your devices protected with the latest anti-virus and anti-malware software.
Be Discreet
It is advisable to avoid sharing your address or phone number on social media networks—you never know who might take advantage of it. Always keep your privacy settings on.
Use Strong Passwords
Anything online is susceptible to hacking. When creating a password, make sure it contains no personal information such as nicknames or your birth year. For a hard-to-guess password, use a combination of numbers, characters, and uppercase letters.
Protect Work Devices
If someone intentionally erases or infects your work computer, it can affect your company as a whole. Keep your laptop and flash drives out of reach of your family and friends, and lock your device when you aren’t around.
These are a few of the many steps you can take to keep your identity safe. For any additional questions about your personal insurance, contact the experts at Gant Insurance Agency in McKinney, Texas. We are ready to assist you with all your coverage needs today.
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