by Marilyn Mott, Director of Community Outreach, Northern AZ Better Business Bureau
The Better Business Bureau offers the following tips for consumers to protect personal information and reduce theft risks from a data breach.
Don’t overshare online
Avoid posting personal information on social media. It’s not just about your social security number; online quizzes and games may put you at risk. Things like your first pet’s name or the town in which you were born can be used to hack your accounts, as they are often used as passwords or security questions.
Check your credit report and financial statements often.
Monitor your accounts
Look for suspicious activity and notify account providers as quickly as possible if you notice something out of the ordinary.
Use strong passwords; change them regularly.
Protect your accounts with complex and unique passwords. See BBB’s tips on creating strong passwords at www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/12795-bbb-tip-how-to-create-a-strong-password.
Implement two-factor authentication on accounts and devices
This adds another layer of security to your logins. Two-factor authentication sends a code to your phone or email to check if the account owner is the one logging in.
Shop with businesses that protect consumer information
Check for basic security measures. There should be an HTTPS in the address bar and a clear and detailed privacy policy. Then, look for and check the validity of trust indicators like the Accredited Business seal.
Safely dispose of personally identifiable information
Protecting yourself online is critical, but hard copies of private documents also can be stolen. So, it’s important to dispose of your private papers safely. Check out upcoming shred events or use paper shredding services at stores.
To view additional identity theft resources and tips, visit www.bbb.org/all/identity-theft/consumer-protection/how-to-protect-your-identity-from-a-data-breach.
