3D rendering hacking technology interface on dark background
People spend more time online than ever these days, with internet usage spiking 25% since the start of the pandemic – and it’s not likely to go back down any time soon. From working to working out, taking online classes, gaming and buying everything imaginable, there are lots of reasons people spend so much time online.
While the internet is a reality of modern life, it leaves us exposed to hacking and data breaches. Phishing scams have tripled in the last couple of years, causing one in three families to become victims of identity fraud. To prevent such issues, please heed the following advice from Life360, if you or your kid’s identity gets stolen.
Start a paper trail. Document everything. File your emails and log your phone calls by date, time, and resolution status. Mark critical dates on your calendar for when you need to properly report the fraud.
File reports. Report the fraud directly to all companies involved. Call your local police and create an identity theft report with the Federal Trade Commission.
Monitor transactions. Close or freeze any impacted accounts to stop new, fraudulent activity. Be sure to turn on transaction monitoring for any accounts you choose to keep open.
Protect your credit. Place fraud alerts and credit freezes with major credit bureaus (even those where you don’t hold an account). Also, watch your credit reports for suspicious activity and new account openings.
Consider signing up for identity theft protection from a reputable company. It’s always a good idea to do a little research before making any decisions.
Source: Life360
