Recently I’ve been the target of identity theft in a few different instances, and across multiple mediums. It’s irritating, but it’s nothing compared to the feeling of helplessness you get when someone actually gets away with it. It’s hard to focus on your happiness when you’re thinking about what some fraudster is doing with your personal information. That’s why I wanted to reiterate some good information on how to avoid identity theft.

Learn how to spot fake emails and NEVER click links in them

This one almost got me the other day… it was a fake PayPal email. The timing was brutal too: I had just made some legitimate changes to my PayPal account, when five minutes later I got an email saying there was strange activity on my account. It made sense, and at first glance the email looked pretty real. When I took a closer look though, there were a few things wrong with it:

• It wasn’t from the actual PayPal email. In this example, real servicing emails come from service@paypal.com. This email was from service@paypal.intil.com. Always check to make sure the email is legit!
• There were spelling mistakes. Real companies properly proofread their official emails.
• The email didn’t address me by my name. When a company you have an account with sends you an email, they will address you by name. If not, chances are the email is a fake.
• The email asked me to verify my personal information, and gave me a link to do so. No legitimate company will ever do that. Speaking of that link…
• The URL started with “http” and not “https.” Sounds silly, but that “s” is important: it means the website is encrypted, and that your information is much, much harder for hackers and fraudsters to intercept. All company website that require your personal information use this. If you do make the mistake of clicking a link in a fake email, this is a clear way to recognize that it’s time to close the page.

This isn’t an exhaustive list, but they’re the five tools I use most often to identify scam emails!

Ask questions if someone calls or shows up to your house claiming to be someone official

It’s so easy to give someone the benefit of the doubt when speaking to them over the phone or in-person, and just assume they are who they claim to be. That’s not always the case though, and it’s important to recognize the warning signs:

• If the person tells you that you need to verify personal information, know that companies will never have someone call or visit you to do this. They will send you a letter in the mail.
• If they tell you that you owe money for some reason that doesn’t ring a bell for you, ask them for more details, and DO NOT give them your info.
• If people show up to your front door and you’re not sure whether their reason is legit, ask them for identification. Inspect it carefully for signs that it’s fake – a sketchy email or a phone number that doesn’t match the company’s actual line, for example

I had this happen to me the other day; two people showed up at my front door claiming to be from the local water utility. They said they need to inspect my water meter, so I let them in (big mistake). They “inspected” my water meter, then proceeded to try to sell me useless water filters with insane monthly fees and an almost impossible-to-escape contract. I figured them out when they told me it was free, then changed their tune after I agreed. When I started asking more questions, like “Can I see your ID?” and “Is this installation mandatory?” and “Can you show me documentation that proves the pollutants are actually in the water?” they started to get very nervous, at which point I kicked them out of my house.

Let my naiveté be your lesson: always verify that people are who they say they are upfront, by asking questions that only the REAL person could know. Knowledge is power; the more you’re informed about how a company is supposed to operate, the more easily you’ll be able to call fraudsters on their bullshit.

Be careful what you divulge about yourself online

It may seem harmless to share with everyone that it’s your birthday for example, but when combined with your address and other pieces of information, it can give a fraudster enough to apply for credit cards in your name.

It’s not so much the exposure of one piece of information; it’s the releasing of one piece of information on Facebook, another on LinkedIn, and a third on your blog that, when put together, gives a thief enough detail to give you more than a few sleepless nights.

You don’t have to be paranoid with your information, just be smart with it. Make sure your social media profiles are private, and don’t publicly share the kinds of personal information that fraudsters are looking for, such as your:

• Name
• Address
• Birthday
• Mother’s maiden name
• Phone number

By locking down your information, you make it much more difficult for a would-be thief to steal your identity!

Protect your computer with antivirus software

This is an easy one. Stop and think for a second about just how much personal information you have on your computer. It’s a treasure trove for thieves, and it’s easy for a virus to wreak havoc unless your computer is protected by anti-virus software… so get some! I recommend Bitdefender – just the basic package is fine. I’m not affiliated with them in any way… just a satisfied customer!

Shred bills and other personal documents

It’s a crude way of getting hold of your information, but dumpster diving is still a common way for identity thieves to get your information. Have you ever just recycled a credit card or bank statement? Ever think about where they sit while waiting to get picked up? Yeah, out on the curb, in public. Combine this with some of the information I mentioned above and you’ve got a recipe for disaster.

Always protect your purse or wallet

‘Nuff said. There’s just too much important information in there.

Choose strong passwords

Even if it isn’t required, it’s a good idea to choose passwords that have a combination of upper-case and lower-case characters, numbers and symbols. Make sure you don’t use any personal information in your password!

Wrapping it Up

Identity theft cost Canadians a reported $74 million as of 2014 data – hopefully the tips above will help you avoid becoming a part of those statistics. The bottom line is that the world is a very connected place, and it’s more important now than ever before to protect your personal information.