It seems like something out of a horror movie, or a particularly effective thriller: You’re going about your day, feeling good about the world, when suddenly, you’re hit with a notification about a credit card you don’t remember taking out. Or a car loan you know you didn’t apply for — for a car note that costs more than your mortgage.
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As you go about trying to repair this financial damage, freezing your accounts, calling the relevant agencies, there’s a knock at the door. Apparently, you’ve got a warrant out for your arrest in a county you didn’t even know existed, let alone visited.
These are exactly the kinds of things that can happen when your identity is stolen online. The financial and personal havoc of identity theft cannot be understated, but it can be avoided. GOBankingRates talked to some experts about how you can keep your good name clear and out of the hands of scammers.
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Show Caution With Your Accounts
As an ex-IBM internet security systems engineer and founder of Cyber Command, Reade Taylor knows a thing or two about online security. He said one of the simplest and most effective things you can do is show an abundance of caution when it comes to your accounts. Enable two-factor authentication whenever you can and use complex passwords for every account.
Taylor added that being aware of phishing emails can help keep you from becoming a victim. If you’re not exactly sure what a phishing email might look like, the FBI has a helpful primer on its website.
“Never share sensitive details like Social Security or credit card numbers over unencrypted communication channels,” Taylor said. “Monitor financial accounts regularly for unauthorized charges. Consider using a password manager to generate and remember different passwords for you.”
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Limit What You Share on Social Media
Of course you want to share all those pictures of your vacation to the Caribbean (you look great, and you worked hard on that tan). And the world has to know that you’re active in your kids’ sports and your local horticulture society. Does it, though?
Unfortunately, personal details like this can be aggregated to facilitate identity theft, Taylor said.
“Be cautious of oversharing on social media,” he added. “Only post information you’re comfortable with anyone accessing. Review privacy settings and limit sharing to friends only when possible.”
Be Careful About Permissions
For many people, the phone is full of a constellation of apps. If you’re one of those people, odds are you might not think about the securities required to keep those apps safe. For Michael Robert, cybersecurity specialist and senior technical contributor at GTA Boom, the choice to download an app shouldn’t be made casually.
He said that you should only use trusted sources and be mindful of the permissions you grant when downloading an app. Also, don’t think of downloading an app as a one and done gesture — you should regularly review and revoke permissions that seem too excessive.
Do Financial Transactions on Secure Websites
Want to know if you’re on a secure website before you click send on a contribution or enter your banking information? Robert said to make sure that you’re seeing an “https://” in the URL and a padlock icon in the address bar.
Secure Your Device
To lock up your identity from would-be scammers, you’ve got to secure all your devices. Robert advised using strong passwords on all mobile devices and ensuring that they lock automatically when they’re not in use.
He also cautioned you to install reputable antivirus software on your device and keep it updated to guard against malware and other threats. Even if it’s not always convenient, you should regularly update your operating system and applications to patch any vulnerabilities.
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 4 Tips To Better Protect Your Identity Online From Financial Scams