Guard Your Credit Mobile Workers!

Are you aware Equifax is not going to contact you if your credit was recently compromised? You’ll need to confirm you were one of the victims of this security breach with Equifax! Crazy, isn’t it? This cyber security incident potentially impacts consumer information including Social Security numbers, birth dates, addresses, etc., leaving your credit potentially vulnerable. We did some homework to help save our fans and clients time and money. Being mobile or traveling for work may increase your risk of identity theft because you’re not always able to secure your financial information.

This is what Equifax is recommending regarding the recent cyber security incident:

  • Go to https://www.equifaxsecurity2017.com/potential-impact/.
  • Enter the requested information to verify, if you are a cyber security crime victim.
  • If you were compromised, you’ll receive an email to complete the follow-up.

Equifax offers free identity theft protection and credit file monitoring for compromised U.S. consumers through Tuesday, November 21, 2017.

The Federal Trade Commission offers some identity theft recommendations here.

We recently received a frantic call from a client that had her personal information stolen while traveling that impacts her credit. She asked our Business Concierge for some travel support. We hope this related credit information will help you if your personal financial information is compromised:

Here are some other suggestions that will help reduce the threat of identity theft:

  • Don’t click website links that are emailed to you, unless you know they are from a trusted source.
  • Don’t give out financial information over the phone, especially if someone is calling you. The IRS will NEVER call you.
  • Keep computer firewalls and security software up to date.
  • Don’t use public use computers for financial transactions.
  • Look for https: before the website name, especially for financial transactions.
  • Review financial accounts a minimum every 30-days for potentially fraudulent transactions.
  • Change your passwords for online financial accounts, email and social media.
  • Lock your smart phone. Some smart phones may offer a one sentence screen message. Offer an emergency contact phone number, your first initial and last name for your sentence in case your phone is lost or stolen.
  • Don’t keep your mobile hot spot or blue tooth on while you travel.

If you travel on a regular basis, here are some other helpful financial and identity security measures:

  • Make a copy of your passport, driver’s license, health insurance and credit cards. Leave this with a person you trust so you can call them for back up support.
  • Don’t take a checkbook when you travel.
  • Keep a printed list of emergency contact phone numbers with you in case your phone is damaged, lost or stolen.
  • Print out your travel plans in case your travel apps are not working correctly, or your phone loses power is damaged, lost or stolen.
  • Consider purchasing a pre-paid credit card for travel purchases.
  • Don’t leave your passport, driver’s license, health insurance or credit cards in your hotel room without locking them in the hotel room safe.

We recognize in this digital age there is nothing absolutely secure. We do hope this advice makes it more difficult to compromise your financial and identity security, especially in the mobile working world.

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