(FAQ) Identity theft, online security, privacy

[MichaelB]

Following are posts with helpful links and suggestions for actions we can take to reduce the likelihood of or impact from identity theft or hacking. h/t to Gumby

 

[MichaelB]

Excellent post by ClockWatcher http://www.early-retirement.org/for...80-million-customers-75764-5.html#post1577864

Like many others, I have been caught up recent Internet security breaches. The Anthem hack was the sixth in the past ten years and, because it included Social Security numbers, was by far the most serious. I share Chuckanut’s view that credit monitoring services are no better than waving goodbye to the horse after it has already left the barn. The only real defenses, in my opinion, however imperfect, are security freezes. Since 2006, I have had security freezes at:
Equifax
Experian
Innovis
TransUnion

In 2010, I implemented a security freeze at:
ChexSystems

This week I put security freezes in place at:
Certegy
CoreLogic Credco
NCTUE

And last night, I learned that security freezes are available at:
Clarity
LexisNexis
RealPage
SafeRent
SageStream
I will be completing the necessary paperwork/phone calls with them next week.

In my searches, I found guides to many more consumer reporting agencies:
http://files.consumerfinance.gov/f/2...g-agencies.pdf
http://www.consumer-action.org/downl..._directory.pdf
Do A Total Background Check On Yourself – Consumerist

Many of the companies listed in these guides seem as though they should offer security freezes, but I was unable to locate anything on their websites. I am now appealing to the collective knowledge available here: Do you know of any other companies that have established processes to set up a security freeze?

 

[MichaelB]

Clark Howard Credit Freeze and Thaw Guide Credit Freeze and Thaw Guide | www.clarkhoward.com h/t mpierce

FTC FAQ on Credit Freeze http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0497-credit-freeze-faqs h/t audrey1

 

[MichaelB]

Security links http://www.early-retirement.org/forums/f27/brokerage-hackable-76703.html#post1578200

I have come across guides to improving the security of home systems. In my opinion, these are some of the better ones (in no particular order):

• https://www.bestvpn.com/the-ultimate-privacy-guide/
• https://secure.cryptohippie.com/pubs/CH-OnlinePrivacyGuide.pdf
  
  
• A Complete Guide To Privacy Online - GreyCoder
• https://prism-break.org/en/
• https://ssd.eff.org/en
• Home Computer / Network Security / Privacy

The steps that they recommend take time and effort to implement, but given a choice, I would rather put my time into preventing a loss, than recovering from it.

 

[Janet H]

Submitted via the ER.org Help desk: https://privacyaustralia.net/privacy-tools/

 

[braumeister]

Another source I think is useful:
https://www.identitytheft.gov/Steps