Things You Can Do Right Now to Protect Yourself from Identity Theft

Apr 4, 2024

Learn practical tips to protect yourself from identity theft and financial scams, including setting up fraud alerts and freezing your credit. Dive into the challenges of authentication online and the misuse of social security numbers. Explore the rise in data breaches, the importance of questioning suspicious communications, and the need for improved authentication methods.

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Introduction

00:00 • 2min

Cautions Against Imposter Scams and Identity Theft

01:46 • 2min

The Evolution of Scams and Identity Theft

03:40 • 11min

Combatting Identity Theft: Prevention and Protection

15:07 • 15min

Challenges with Regulation and Unpredictability of Identity Theft Incidents

29:53 • 2min

Learn how to protect your identity from theft and fraud by understanding how criminals are exposing authentication flaws.

How can you protect yourself from identity theft and financial scams?

What steps should you take if your identity has been compromised?

Hosts Sean Pyles and Sara Rathner discuss the pervasiveness of identity theft and practical defense strategies to help you safeguard your financial well-being. They begin with a discussion of protecting yourself from identity theft, with tips and tricks on setting up fraud alerts, freezing your credit and using unique passwords with the aid of password managers.

Then, Eva Velasquez joins Sean to discuss the nuances of authentication and identity theft. They discuss the challenges businesses and individuals face in verifying identities online, the misuse of social security numbers and the rise in data breaches, particularly in the healthcare sector.

Plus: the alarming increase in data breaches in 2023, the importance of questioning every suspicious communication you receive, and the necessity for public and private organizations to refine their authentication methods.

In their conversation, the Nerds discuss: identity theft, financial scams, data breaches, cyber security, credit freeze, fraud alert, authentication, online identity, personal data protection, cybercriminals, financial fraud, password managers, financial well-being, data security, impostor scams, phishing, identity fraud, scam prevention, credit monitoring, sensitive information, identity protection, financial instruments, identity thieves, scam victims, credit card fraud, loan fraud, biometrics, cybersecurity strategies, data privacy, digital financial transactions, identity theft resource center, federal trade commission, IRS IP PIN, financial defense, digital predators, financial peace of mind, consumer protection, scam recovery, safeguarding data, and financial education.

To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email podcast@nerdwallet.com.

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