Do you type in your mother’s maiden name when prompted by an Internet security feature? Stop that! If identity thieves learn that name, they have an intimate piece of information about you that can possibly help them break into your accounts. Plan to use a fake name when asked. This is just one of the things that I learned reading the latest Hanscom Federal Credit Union blog, 29 Ways to Protect Yourself from Identity Theft. With 17.9 million Americans victimized by identity theft in 2014 (and that number has been steadily growing ever since), our blog is one I highly recommend you read and share with your employees. Not only can these tips help your employees to stay safe online, but they can also help your company stay safe. By practicing these cybersecurity tips, your employees will be adding a layer of protection to your company computers.
I also want to share a video produced by the National Credit Union Administration. It offers more tips for protecting yourself from frauds, scams and cyberthreats. It is definitely worth the three minutes it takes to watch it.
Finally, please consider checking your credit report for fraudulent information. This is a fast way to identify and limit the damage of identity theft. As members of Hanscom Federal Credit Union, you and your employees are entitled to a free credit report review. Not only will we show you what is in your report, but we can share ways for you to improve your credit score.