Understanding Identity Theft and Its Consequences

#77: Cybersecurity expert, Adam Levin, joins Chris to discuss all things cybersecurity, privacy, identity theft, and fraud. They cover how to avoid becoming a victim of online scams, ways to ​​effectively monitor your credit, managing the damages of identity incidents and methods to protect your personal information online. 

Adam Levin (@Adam_K_Levin) is a consumer affairs advocate and cofounder of Credit.com and CyberScout. His mission is to educate consumers, businesses, law enforcement officials and lawmakers about consumer privacy, identity management, and protection. Adam’s weekly cybersecurity podcast is What The Hack and his critically acclaimed book is Swiped: How to Protect Yourself in a World Full of Scammers, Phishers, and Identity Thieves.

Full show notes at: https://allthehacks.com/cybersecurity-adam-levin

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Resources Mentioned

Connect with Adam Levin: Website | Twitter

Adam Levin’s Resources::

• Book: Swiped: How to Protect Yourself in a World Full of Scammers, Phishers, and Identity Thieves
• Podcast: What The Hack With Adam Levin
• Episodes Mentioned:
• Episode 20: Axton Goes Looking For Her Identity Thief
• Episode 2: Christen’s Enemy with Benefits
• Episode 11: Mary Snags a Catfish

Resources Mentioned: 

• Have I Been Pwned
• Annual Credit Report.com
• Credit Karma
• Consumer Federation of America
• Aura
• Lifelock
• Experian ProtectMyID
• Identity Theft Resource Center
• Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
• Reputation Defender
• Abine/DeleteMe
• Google Authenticator
• Authy
• 1Password
• Yubico

Full Show Notes

(1:28) Protecting Yourself Online: Secure Passwords and Private Phone Numbers

(3:27) Safeguarding Against SIM Swapping: Fundamental Basics

(6:23) Setting Up Security Questions Like a Superhero

(7:29) Securing Your Credit Identity

(9:19) The Three M’s: Minimize, Monitor, Manage

(9:50) Effective Credit Activity Monitoring Approaches

(14:04) Paying for Credit Monitoring and Reporting Services: Is It Worth It?

(14:58) Managing the Fallout from Identity Incidents

(15:34) Assessing the Need for Expert Assistance

(17:26) Resources for Credit Monitoring Services

(20:12) Stolen SSN: Understanding Your Liability

(23:11) The Range of Identity Theft and the Blame Game Evolution

(26:28) Preventing Criminal Identity Theft: Available Avoidance Services

(28:20) Evading Online Scams: Practical Strategies

(31:25) Additional Advice on Online Security, Financial Identity Protection, and Scam Avoidance

(41:19) Minimizing Risk in a "Surveillance Economy"

(49:21) Chris's Strategies for Personal and Financial Identity Protection

(50:52) Hardware Security Keys vs. Google Authenticator and Other Apps

(52:08) Safely Storing Passwords and Removing Personal Information Online

(53:39) Google Voice as Secondary Number and Scam Protection

(55:44) The Necessity of VPNs

(57:32) Limiting or Disabling Location Services for Self-Protection

(59:24) Regular Auditing of Authorizations from External Accounts

(1:02:21) Adam's Reassurance for Security Breach Concerns

(1:08:46) Finding Adam Levin Online

Connect with All the Hacks

All the Hacks: Newsletter | Website | Membership | Email

Chris Hutchins: Twitter | Instagram | Website | LinkedIn

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