It's National Consumer Protection Week. Here's what to do.
By Adam Garber
Washington-- It’s National Consumer Protection Week again making it the perfect time to ensure you’ve taken key steps to protect your identity, secure your data and prevent scams.
Every year, a coalition of consumer advocacy organizations like AARP and Consumer Federation of America partner with the Federal Trade Commission, Attorneys General and other consumer agencies to warn the public about popular scams and help people stay safe.
Shep the Consumer Watchdog has the details on how to stay safe.
FREEZE YOUR CREDIT
A number of years ago my identity was stolen. I didn’t know until a bank contacted me about unpaid debts for accounts I never opened. After hours on the phone, I finally resolved the issue but it took even more time to straighten out my credit. In the meantime, I couldn’t get a mortgage to purchase my first home.
The moral is it’s a lot easier to prevent credit damage by freezing your credit then it is to repair it after the fact.
Here’s how it works: Most creditors won’t issue you new credit without first viewing your credit report. If your credit reports are frozen, someone else can’t open an account in your name. You can still use your credit card. Your credit score won’t be affected. You’ll just be safer from identity thieves.
First, the bad news: You need to block access to your reports with each of the big three credit bureaus, one bureau at a time. It’s a pain, but freezing your credit report with one bureau and not the others is like locking your front door but leaving your garage and back door wide open.
The three major bureaus are Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. While some steps may vary, the process is similar from one bureau to another. Here’s how it works with Equifax:
Step #1 Go to https://www.equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services and click “Get Started.”
Step #2 If you don’t already have an account, make one. You’ll need to provide your full name, date of birth, address, email and Social Security number.
Step #3 Follow the directions to verify your identity. You may need to enter a code that the credit bureau sends to your email.
Step #4 Click “Place Or Manage A Freeze.”
Step #5 Confirm that you want to freeze your credit report.
Step #6 Download and view your “one-time PDF,” which contains your PIN.
Step #7 This is key: Record your PIN in a safe place. You’ll need it later if and when you want to lift the freeze on your reports.
That’s it. First one done. Two more to go.
Experian: Go to https://www.experian.com/freeze/center.html.
TransUnion: Go to https://www.transunion.com/credit-freeze.
KEEP YOUR DATA SAFE
We’ve all seen the big data hacks. They’ve hit companies big and small, even dating companies are selling people’s personal information according to the Norwegian Consumer Council. There are a few things you should do:
Use secure passwords: Easy to guess passwords include birthdates, initials, common names, or other simple phrases. The best thing to do is to have a secure password with letters, numbers and symbols that is at least 15 characters long. But how do you remember it? That’s where password programs like Dashlane and LastPass come into play. Then you only have to remember one complicated password. Some of these tools even warn you if you’re using the same password on multiple sites.
Check apps access to your data, delete them: Many apps track information on your whereabouts and activities in the background. You can limit that access in the settings section of your phone. You can also delete data on major social media platforms like Facebook or Google.
SCAMS
“Your social security number has been suspended. A warrant will be issued for your arrest.”
I’ve gotten the call. You’ve probably gotten the call. It’s a scam to take your money. Government imposter scams were the #1 scam in 2019. And the biggest subsection of those was Social Security scams.
The criminal pretends to be calling your from the Social Security Administration, even spoofing their ID, and note you must take immediate action to prevent a suspension of benefits or prevent being arrested. How do you stay safe?
Your number will never be suspended. Never put money or gift cards in envelopes when asked. And never, ever give out your social security number to someone who calls you. Just hang up.
