Identity protection

[Tikitoi]

Since there is a lot of talk about credit cards on these boards, I'm just wondering what precautions or what companies people go with to protect their identity.

I have a package through Suze Orman but just wondering what everyone else uses or does.

TIA

 

[MillauFr]

Seems like my personal information is getting stolen all the time. Target and others have paid for ProtectMyID credit monitoring. Works for me. I get credit monitoring for free.

 

[Hisgirl]

Some folks use Lifelock but you can basically do everything they do for free. I recommend to my clients that they put a credit freeze on all three credit reports, transunion, experian, and equifax. Keep the PIN numbers in a safe place. Check your credit reports every 4 months, looking at one report, then 4 months later the second one, then 4 months later the last one.

Dont put your social security number on ANY document unless it is applying for credit, a job or a tax document, or possibly insurance. So many doctors use boilerplate forms and they always seem to ask for the SSN. Leave it off. They most likely don't need it and doctor's files seem to get hacked all the time.

Some folks use credit karma for monitoring and some folks...who have been victims of doctor office hacking etc, just use the one offered in the informing letter.

 

[Tikitoi]

Some folks use Lifelock but you can basically do everything they do for free. I recommend to my clients that they put a credit freeze on all three credit reports, transunion, experian, and equifax. Keep the PIN numbers in a safe place. Check your credit reports every 4 months, looking at one report, then 4 months later the second one, then 4 months later the last one.

Dont put your social security number on ANY document unless it is applying for credit, a job or a tax document, or possibly insurance. So many doctors use boilerplate forms and they always seem to ask for the SSN. Leave it off. They most likely don't need it and doctor's files seem to get hacked all the time.

Some folks use credit karma for monitoring and some folks...who have been victims of doctor office hacking etc, just use the one offered in the informing letter.

Thank you for that info. I will definitely look into a credit freeze, just have to do it when it won't interfere with me possibly opening another account...

 

[runwad]

Yep I got tired of all the hacking and froze our credit files probably 5 years ago. My kids were involved in the anthem hack, froze my DS16 credit (it was offered free for him since his ss was compromised) my girls (21 & 19)I didn't freeze but we are diligent about getting a report every 4 mos for them.

If you need to get credit while the freeze is in place ask the place what agency they will run a report thru and you can get an unfreeze for that report and then put the freeze back on. I've not had to do it but have read that is what you can do. No sense in unfreezing at all 3 agencies if they are only running thru one particular one.

 

[scard192]

I have not checked it out yet, but noticed in my AAA newsletter that they offer ID protection service for free for members. Guessing it probably a very basic service.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Credit Karma is an easy way to keep track of your transunion activity and equifax reports. Download the app and you can be set up in less than 5 mins. Before you freeze your credit please read up on it and your specific state so you know all the potential repercussions. Sometimes you can have it unfrozen in mins, other times it will take days. Credit freezing is drastic so don't do it until you 100% understand what you're doing. https://www.nerdwallet.com/blog/finance/pros-and-cons-freezing-credit/

 

[Tikitoi]

Yep I got tired of all the hacking and froze our credit files probably 5 years ago. My kids were involved in the anthem hack, froze my DS16 credit (it was offered free for him since his ss was compromised) my girls (21 & 19)I didn't freeze but we are diligent about getting a report every 4 mos for them.

If you need to get credit while the freeze is in place ask the place what agency they will run a report thru and you can get an unfreeze for that report and then put the freeze back on. I've not had to do it but have read that is what you can do. No sense in unfreezing at all 3 agencies if they are only running thru one particular one.

Credit Karma is an easy way to keep track of your transunion activity and equifax reports. Download the app and you can be set up in less than 5 mins. Before you freeze your credit please read up on it and your specific state so you know all the potential repercussions. Sometimes you can have it unfrozen in mins, other times it will take days. Credit freezing is drastic so don't do it until you 100% understand what you're doing. https://www.nerdwallet.com/blog/finance/pros-and-cons-freezing-credit/

Will definitely do the research as far as my state specifics as well as who the bank will be inquiring through. It will most likely be a Chase card.

 

[Paul From MA]

Get yourself RFID blocking sleeves or a RFID walllet,can be found on AMAZON or even Kohl's.I had my credit card info stolen. Local news had a story and credit card company also stated that small hand held scanners that can pull your info out of your wallet while its still in your pocket,you have to stay one step of the scammers!!!

 

[scrapquitler]

I have a credit freeze. When I want to apply for credit (Once in the last 6 or 7 years), I unfreeze it temporarily.

 

[Albort]

Discover recently were giving out credit monitoring similar to LifeLock. Free for any customers with a Discover Card.

 

[afan]

Get yourself RFID blocking sleeves or a RFID walllet,can be found on AMAZON or even Kohl's.I had my credit card info stolen. Local news had a story and credit card company also stated that small hand held scanners that can pull your info out of your wallet while its still in your pocket,you have to stay one step of the scammers!!!

I got a pack of cc sleeves as well as a passport sleeve off Amazon for a good price. I think it was 10 to 12 cc sleeves and 2 passport. All the rfid cards I carry are in them. For me it was easier and cheaper than a wallet since I change handbags and therefore to the wallet that goes with it ☺

 

[MillauFr]

Get yourself RFID blocking sleeves or a RFID walllet,can be found on AMAZON or even Kohl's.I had my credit card info stolen. Local news had a story and credit card company also stated that small hand held scanners that can pull your info out of your wallet while its still in your pocket,you have to stay one step of the scammers!!!

I have my credit card number stolen about once per year. It is not a big deal and I never lose any money. They bank just issues me a new credit card number and refunds any bogus charges. If they banks really wanted to reduce scamming there are a number of steps that could be taken. They must feel it is not worth it though.

 

[Paul From MA]

When my CC was skimmed ,I reported it to the bank,and was like Oh really? File a police report and get back to us!!!

 

[MillauFr]

When my CC was skimmed ,I reported it to the bank,and was like Oh really? File a police report and get back to us!!!

It is shocking how little they seem to care about making the system secure and reducing theft.

 

[Tikitoi]

Get yourself RFID blocking sleeves or a RFID walllet,can be found on AMAZON or even Kohl's.I had my credit card info stolen. Local news had a story and credit card company also stated that small hand held scanners that can pull your info out of your wallet while its still in your pocket,you have to stay one step of the scammers!!!

Yeah I have a couple of these...Thanks

Discover recently were giving out credit monitoring similar to LifeLock. Free for any customers with a Discover Card.

I saw that...It kind of makes me want to get a Discover card...

 

[DizMe]

I've read that RFID blocking is basically a way to sell you something you likely don't need. For most American credit cards, they are not necessary. They protect the cards that are 'tap and go,' which we don't really use much. Those are cards that you can just wave (no swiping or inserting); they have a little emblem on them that looks like a wifi symbol. US passports have built-in RFID blockers. If you have Chip & PIN cards, these are not susceptible to remote retrieval of information as they have to be physically inserted into a POS terminal. If you're using ApplePay or similar technology, these also use the same RFID system but the information is encrypted so can't be hacked. And finally, thieves are generally unable to do much with the info they get from skimming this way and are much more likely to hack you with a physical skimmer--one that is attached in or over the top of an ATM or gas station payment slot--or, of course, online.

 

[afan]

I've read that RFID blocking is basically a way to sell you something you likely don't need. For most American credit cards, they are not necessary. They protect the cards that are 'tap and go,' which we don't really use much. Those are cards that you can just wave (no swiping or inserting); they have a little emblem on them that looks like a wifi symbol. US passports have built-in RFID blockers. If you have Chip & PIN cards, these are not susceptible to remote retrieval of information as they have to be physically inserted into a POS terminal. If you're using ApplePay or similar technology, these also use the same RFID system but the information is encrypted so can't be hacked. And finally, thieves are generally unable to do much with the info they get from skimming this way and are much more likely to hack you with a physical skimmer--one that is attached in or over the top of an ATM or gas station payment slot--or, of course, online.

The pack I got was less than 10 bucks and I didn't pay shipping. Maybe it's no necessary, but I'd prefer to have them then find out later they've upped their tech and we didn't know it.

 

[Tikitoi]

I've read that RFID blocking is basically a way to sell you something you likely don't need. For most American credit cards, they are not necessary. They protect the cards that are 'tap and go,' which we don't really use much. Those are cards that you can just wave (no swiping or inserting); they have a little emblem on them that looks like a wifi symbol. US passports have built-in RFID blockers. If you have Chip & PIN cards, these are not susceptible to remote retrieval of information as they have to be physically inserted into a POS terminal. If you're using ApplePay or similar technology, these also use the same RFID system but the information is encrypted so can't be hacked. And finally, thieves are generally unable to do much with the info they get from skimming this way and are much more likely to hack you with a physical skimmer--one that is attached in or over the top of an ATM or gas station payment slot--or, of course, online.

I'll have to look into that regarding how much RFID actually protects cards as it seems it is being sold that way exactly that it will protect your cards. I do have a tap and go card as well and that is certainly in there but I'd be disappointed if my other cards aren't so protected...I certainly understand there are other ways to be hacked as well...