With the rise of e-crimes, it’s important to take steps to guard yourself against identity theft. We’ve compiled a list of steps to take that successfully decrease your chances of falling victim to a scammer.

  • First and foremost, use passwords and lock your devices when not in use.  Also, making sure your security software is up to date before you sail into the sales might be a good idea, too.
  • There are programs available that store and encrypt your passwords. With a password manager, you have to remember only one password to log in to all of the websites you use.
    • Lastpass
    • Dashlane
    • Roboform
    • Even with a password manager, it’s always important to change your log-ins at least once a month to keep them fresh and harder for a scammer to pin down.
  • Shopping online, especially using unsecured connections (think coffee shop wifi) can expose you. Find a secure wifi network (at home, preferably) to knock out your cyber deals.
  • Regardless, when you do shop online, stick with credit cards. You are liable for only up to $50 of fraudulent use.  Financial loss with a stolen debit card could be much higher.
  • Use secure domains (that are signified by “https” in the web address), and take the time to come up with unique, hard-to-guess passwords that do not repeat from site to site.
  • When you’ve completed your online purchase, clear your cookies, and browser history. Not only will this prevent your kids and relatives from accidentally stumbling on your shopping history, but it will also log you out of any shopping sites you may have used.
  • Learn to spot a scammer email and avoid interacting with them.

In time, implementing these easy tips to protect yourself will become the most natural thing you do to protect yourself.