How to protect yourself from Online theft | How to protect yourself from identity theft

How to protect yourself from identity theft and Online theft and scams

Scam messages and phishing attempts have become more common than ever, with fraudsters using text messages and WhatsApp to trick unsuspecting victims. These messages often appear harmless, such as “Did you get the present I sent you last weekend?” or “Are we still on for dinner tonight?”—but they come from unknown numbers. If you receive such a message, do not respond. Engaging with scammers can expose you to serious risks.

How Scammers Use Minimal Information to Exploit You

Scammers don’t need much to steal your identity. A simple reply like “Who’s this?” confirms your phone number is active. From there, they can gather more details about you, including:

1. Reverse Phone Lookup: Scammers can use online tools to find your name, address, and other personal information.
2. Social Media Searches: If your phone number is linked to WhatsApp, your profile picture might be visible. Scammers can reverse-search your image to find your LinkedIn or Facebook profile.
3. Social Engineering Tactics: They may message you again, pretending to be an old friend, and ask for job-related details like, “Do you still work at XYZ company?” If you confirm, they now have employment information.
4. Spoofing Your Number: With your active number and some details, scammers can make calls and send messages pretending to be you, potentially deceiving your friends and family.
5. AI Voice Cloning: If scammers reach your voicemail, they can use AI to mimic your voice, adding another layer of deception.

The Dark Web and Data Breaches

Recent large-scale data breaches mean that most people’s sensitive data—including names, addresses, and even Social Security numbers—are already available for sale on the dark web. This makes it easier for scammers to connect scattered details about you into a complete profile.

How to Protect Yourself

To safeguard your identity and finances, follow these crucial steps:

1. Never Respond to Suspicious Messages
   • Do not reply to unknown numbers or engage in conversations.
   • Instead, report and block the number immediately.
2. Use Identity Protection Services
   • If a company you’ve used experiences a data breach, check if they offer free identity monitoring.
   • Be cautious of fake identity protection offers, as scammers also use these to steal information.
3. Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
   • Secure your accounts by requiring a second form of verification.
4. Use a Password Manager
   • Avoid using the same password across multiple platforms.
   • Invest in a reliable password manager to store complex passwords securely.
5. Limit Personal Information Online
   • Adjust privacy settings on social media to restrict access to your phone number, email, and other details.
   • Avoid oversharing personal information like your pets’ names, children’s names, or daily routines.

Views: 1