Identity Theft Protection: Why It’s Crucial in the Digital Era

Life is lived on the internet. Even the most resistant, and private individuals can no longer avoid having some portion of their data exposed to the web. Most transactions are handled digitally. Even face-to-face real-world purchases will involve exchanging digital identification data in most cases.

With this much digital identification data being stored all over the web, incentives have never been higher for bad actors, and cybercriminals to get their hands on your private info. Identity theft is a very real concern for everyone from individuals, to families, businesses, and even governments. What’s even more insidious is the fact that identity theft does not just target adults. Children’s identities can be stolen as well, resulting in complex harms that may not be caught until they attempt to open their first bank account as a teen or adult.

Taking concrete action to protect your identity and the identity of your children is a must. Keep reading to learn how to protect yourself and your family by safeguarding your personal and financial information from the growing legions of cyber baddies.

Why Identity Theft Protection Matters

It is hard to understand the danger and the chaos that identity theft will bring into your life until it happens to you, or someone close to you. Here is what that might look like. You wake up tomorrow, get ready for work, and leave, right on time…it’s going to be a great day. Along the way you stop at your local coffee shop and chat with your favorite barista while she whips up your morning Caramel Frappuccino. You are feeling good about life and decide to treat your staff to morning brews too. A quick call to the office to get everyone’s order, another 10 minutes of chatting with the barista and you are ready to pay for your drinks and go. You tap your card to pay and….DECLINED. Wait…what!?

This is your main credit card, you have never been late on a payment, there must be a mistake. You try again…DECLINED. You are aware of the growing line gathering behind you so you fish your debit card out of your wallet to pay. You’ll just have to sort out the credit card error later. You tap your debit card…DECLINED.

This is the moment everything changes. This is the moment you realize this is not a problem with one account. All your bank accounts have been drained, and your credit cards have no available credit left to spend. You will find out later that your accounts were systematically emptied, and your credit card limits exhausted in a series of transactions spanning just a few minutes, and all while you were peacefully sleeping in bed.

This is the nightmare scenario that identity theft victims live through. Even those who are diligent about using their bank’s security protections and vetting retailers before making a purchase have still fallen victim to identity theft. The payoffs are too enticing, the promise of easy money keeps the cybercrime world bustling with some of the most clever minds in the tech universe. Cybercrime has become a massive underground industry. Cybercriminals are constantly evolving their tactics, finding new ways to exploit your digital footprints, and staying one step ahead of the authorities.

Still think it couldn’t happen to you?

Who is at Risk of Identity Theft?

The short answer to that question is, “Everyone”. The risk of identity theft is real for every human being who exists in this world and goes about the everyday tasks that most societies require: Attending school, earning a living, securing shelter, and purchasing the items they need to survive.

Normal people, leading average lives are targeted and exploited every day. If you have just changed jobs, started a new business, purchased a home, or gone through a major life event like a marriage or a divorce, your risk is even higher. High-net-worth individuals and families with children should be especially vigilant. Child identity theft is on the rise because cyber criminals have seen the immense value in exploiting the unblemished credit history of children.

Doing the bare minimum isn’t even close to enough to protect your identity, here is what you can do to stay safe.

Getting the Identity Theft Protection You Need

Getting the identity protection you need starts with understanding your risk level and your needs. Are you looking for basic credit monitoring? Do you need comprehensive coverage that includes dark web scanning and social media monitoring?

You will also need to determine how much you want to invest in your protection. More comprehensive security will be more costly than basic identity monitoring services, but it could save you thousands in the long run.

Basic Identity Theft Protection

This is the baseline level of service that you should expect from your provider. If you are not receiving these services from your current provider you are not fully protected and you should strongly consider making a switch to a more comprehensive solution.

1. Comprehensive Monitoring

At a minimum, the company should offer clear, comprehensive monitoring across multiple platforms. This includes keeping tabs on your Social Security number, credit reports from all three major bureaus, and even court records and sex offender registries.

2. Real-Time Alerts

Real-time alerts are crucial. In the fast-paced world of cybercrime, every minute counts. Look for services that provide immediate notifications through multiple channels like email, text, and phone.

3. Human Touch

Yes, fully automated services are much cheaper, but you are dealing with highly skilled cybercriminals who specialize in tricking computer systems. Automated systems are a useful tool but you want human intelligence involved in the mix as well. Plus, when and if you do run into trouble and your identity is compromised, do you want to try to sort it out with a chatbot or a live human operator?

Optimal Identity Theft Protection

An ounce of prevention goes a long way. The ideal identity theft protection should help prevent problems from ever having a chance to occur. Look for providers that offer additional tools like secure password managers, virtual private networks (VPNs), and educational resources on identity theft prevention.

When it comes to protecting your identity and that of your family members, choose the best service you can find. Remember, you are up against criminals who are experts in their field, shouldn’t you have a team of experts fighting on your side?

iLOCK360: Your Ally in the Fight Against Identity Theft

At iLOCK360, we’re dedicated to providing you with the most advanced identity theft solutions to protect your digital life. Our comprehensive suite of services includes:

• Advanced threat detection and prevention: Our cutting-edge technology identifies and blocks malware, ransomware, and other cyber threats before they can harm your devices.
• Secure identity and privacy protection: We safeguard your personal information from prying eyes and help you maintain control over your online identity.
• Data breach monitoring and response: We actively monitor the dark web for any signs of your compromised data and provide immediate assistance if a breach occurs.

Our iLOCK360 service delivers top-of-the-line credit monitoring and identity theft protection. If you’re ready to secure your finances, improve your credit, or prepare for a major purchase, iLOCK360 will keep you safe and informed. Click here to learn more about iLOCK360.