Security Questions: Best Practices and Alternatives Quick Take Security questions are supposed to protect your accounts when you forget your password, but they’ve become one of the weakest links in your digital security. The good news: you can make them much stronger with a few simple changes, and even better alternatives are now available that … Read more
Vishing: Phone Call Scams and Voice Phishing Quick Take Vishing (voice phishing) is when scammers call you pretending to be from your bank, credit card company, government agency, or tech support to trick you into revealing passwords, Social Security numbers, or other personal information. The single most important protection: never give personal information to someone … Read more
Dark Web Scan: How It Works and What It Finds Quick Take A dark web scan searches criminal marketplaces online to see if your personal information — like your email, Social Security number, or credit card details — is being sold by cybercriminals. While finding your data there sounds terrifying, knowing about it early gives … Read more
How to Protect Your Social Security Number Quick Take Your Social Security number (SSN) is the master key to your financial identity — which means keeping it secure is one of the most important things you can do to prevent identity theft. The good news? You can lock down your SSN’s most vulnerable uses in … Read more
Types of identity theft: Understanding the Different Forms Quick Take Identity theft isn’t just one crime — it’s actually several different types of fraud that criminals use to steal your personal information and impersonate you. While the various forms might sound overwhelming, protecting yourself comes down to understanding what each type looks like and taking … Read more
RFID Protection: Do You Need a Blocking Wallet? You’ve probably seen those sleek RFID blocking wallets advertised everywhere, promising to protect your credit cards from high-tech thieves. But do you actually need one? As someone who’s investigated countless identity theft cases, I’ll walk you through exactly how to figure out if your cards are vulnerable … Read more
credit monitoring Services: Features and Options Quick Take Credit monitoring services track changes to your credit reports from all three major bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) and alert you when something happens — like a new account opening or a hard inquiry you didn’t make. The key question: when is paid monitoring worth it beyond … Read more
Social Media Privacy: Settings You Should Change Quick Take Your social media accounts are broadcasting more personal information than you realize, but fixing your privacy settings is actually straightforward once you know what to look for. Most platforms default to sharing widely because that’s how they make money — but you can take control with … Read more
Tech Support Scams: Fake Microsoft and Apple Calls Quick Take The most important thing to know: Legitimate tech companies never cold-call you about computer problems. If someone calls claiming to be from Microsoft, Apple, or any tech company saying your computer is infected or compromised, it’s a scam. Hang up immediately. These tech support scams … Read more
Job Scams: Fake Employment Offers to Avoid Quick Take Job scams trick victims into providing personal information or money by posing as legitimate employers offering fake positions. The single most important protection: never give your Social Security number, banking details, or pay any fees until you’ve verified the company and received a legitimate job offer … Read more
