Vanity - Preventing Identity Theft

06/24/2019 | self

[Cementjungle]

Looking for info/tips on how to prevent identity theft. As we all know, this is a constant threat with all the computer breaches and data being passed around.

I recently looked in the mirror and realized I'm getting old, so I decided to tidy up some loose ends in my personal documentation to make things easier for my family if/when I do wind up croaking.

Since I went through my whole life without an actual SS card or birth certificate (I do have all my passports dating back to when I was 14 until present, which is still valid). So, I went to SS and got my SS card, and sent off for my birth certificate.

I get the daily digests from the USPS showing images of what's being delivered that day. The day the birth certificate was to be delivered, my locked mailbox received nothing at all. The image of the letter indicated it was from PA Department of Health, which I assume a seasoned thief at USPS knew was a birth certificate.

So, going on the assumption that the birth cert was snatched by someone at USPS for the purpose of selling it to someone interested in identity theft, I want to make sure I am as protected as possible.

I had all three credit reporting companies put the 90 day locks on my credit reports, and also did the 1 year fraud alert.

I have beefed up my text alerts on all my bank accounts and credit card accounts. I went to the top tier security process for my brokerage account (they use voice recognition for phone calls, and logging in requires an app registered for use on my device only).

I normally monitor my banking/credit card activity regularly, but now I will me more aggressive in that regard.

I'm curious to hear what other freepers do in addition to the usual stuff to try and protect themselves. Is there anything major that I missed?

[eyeamok]

I'm curious to hear what other freepers do in addition to the usual stuff to try and protect themselves

Personally I view Identity Theft and Credit Card theft exactly the same way I view Pregnancy and Syphilis, ABSTINENCE works every time it is tried, if you make NO electronic Transactions and use CASH for everything, the chances of your identity and credit cards stolen are the same as OJ Confessing on Prime Time TV.

CASH is KING and NO ID is necessary.

[Excellence]

Even if you don’t plan to retire for awhile, open your online access account and do the double verification (text code to your phone plus password). Don’t let someone else do it and end up collecting your benefits.

[PistolPaknMama]

Bump for later.

[unlearner]

Recently, a computer expert had his identity stolen, and zdnet (for which he apparently works) followed up with this:

https://www.zdnet.com/article/protect-your-online-identity-now-fight-hackers-with-these-5-security-precautions

[TADSLOS]

LMAO.

[Cementjungle]

Thanks for that info... will do.

[Cementjungle]

I do have the phone text msg thing turned on with my SS account login. I haven’t done the extra security step though, since that’s done via USPS... which makes me nervous given what just happened.

[TexasGator]

“There is no argument FOR debt. “

Made $120k on house sold in 2014.

My present house is up about $100k.

Took mortgages so as not to have to sell stock which has done very nicely in that period.

[TexasGator]

“Great quick analysis. There is no argument FOR debt.”

I didn’t mention debt. Some of my bills are debited from my checking account, others are paid by credit card which gain me points. I then cash out with gift cards, some of which you can by a $25 card for $20.