At eSignature Guarantee, we understand the importance of validating identity. It’s what we do! Medallion signature guarantees protect against identity theft in the transfer of physical securities.
Of course, in the world today, there’s a lot more that needs to be done to protect your identity. Here are several identity theft safety tips to keep you and your family safe from eSignature Guarantee.
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Secure Your Mobile Devices
An unsecured mobile device is easy to access and provides a wealth of information for identity thieves. Set a passcode on your device and all family devices, and make sure you’ve got the auto-lock feature activated. Don’t stay logged in to any banking apps or apps that might have personal or financial information.
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Set Privacy Settings on All Devices
Everything is connected today, which makes it very important to keep strict privacy settings. Make sure you have anti-virus software installed on PCs. Set up privacy settings on mobile devices and on every network-connected PC, tablet, video gaming system and personal assistant your family uses.
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Be Aware of Scams
Scams are everywhere. Worse, they’re designed to make you feel compelled to give away your personal information. Phone scammers or online phishing attempts will try to get your SSN, bank account or other personal information. Some online scammers have gotten so good they duplicate web pages to match the major corporation sites that you do business with. Before completing any online forms or paying bills online, make sure the site is legitimate.
Also watch your emails. Don’t click an email until you’ve checked the real email address, not the name given it. If you don’t recognize it, call the organization directly and ask if they sent it.
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Don’t Give Out SSNs
It seems every organization, from medical facilities to sports teams, needs your SSN. Some may, but many do not. Before providing an SSN, make sure it’s really needed. If it is, confirm that whoever you will be giving it to has proper security in place to protect your private information.
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Shred All Personal Documents
Don’t throw out personal papers. Shred them instead. This includes bills, statements, or any document that has account numbers on it. It’s also best to shred credit card applications sent via mail so no one can mail them in your place.
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Monitor Your Finances
Keep a close eye on your bank accounts, credit cards and online accounts like PayPal, eBay or Amazon. If something seems amiss, check it out right away. You can get a free credit report ever year, so do that, too. For added security, you can hire a credit or identity monitoring agency.
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Don’t Overshare on Social Media
Always be aware of the information you share on social sites like Facebook. It’s essential to be sure you know who you’re talking to and who can see what you post. You also want to make sure you have your privacy settings on social sites set as strong as possible, which will limit the amount of data that strangers can see. Personal information shared online should be kept to an absolute minimum.
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Be Aware Of Possible Identity Theft
Ultimately, preventing identity theft comes down to remaining vigilant, keeping track of your accounts and trusting your gut when something seems amiss. Protecting your identity in the online world is a never-ending battle. Make monitoring your personal information part of your online habits.
