@CoryMcKibben
Cory McKibben
Copyright © Cory McKibben. All Rights Reserved.
Protect Your Identity
Assume your data (Name, Address, Social Security Number, Birthdate, Drivers License Number) has been compromised and freeze your credit.
A credit freeze is the best method of protection from identity theft. Credit monitoring is for detection not for protection.
Be on the lookout for social engineering through emails, text messages, and phone calls. Be very careful before clicking on links. Visit websites directly instead of clicking links inside of messages.
Monitor your financial accounts and enable text or email notifications of withdraws or charges. The sooner you notify the bank of a fraudulent charge, the better chance you have of reversing it.
File your taxes as soon as possible to prevent tax fraud. The sooner you file, the less likely someone else has a chance to file a tax return in your name.
When you freeze your credit, DO NOT forget your PIN. It will be needed to unfreeze your credit.
To freeze Equifax
https://www.freeze.equifax.com
1-800-349-9960
To freeze Experian
https://www.experian.com/freeze/center.html
1-888-397-3742
To freeze TransUnion
https://www.transunion.com/product/trueidentity-free-identity-protection
1-888-909-8872
To freeze Innovis
https://www.innovis.com/personal/securityFreeze
1-800-540-2505
To obtain free credit reports
https://www.annualcreditreport.com/index.action
To report identity theft and get a recovery plan
https://www.identitytheft.gov/