Podcasts about credit freeze

Protecting Your Family from Credit Card Scammers   In this episode of The Secure Family Podcast, Andy discusses the methods scammers use to steal credit card information, particularly focusing on credit card skimming. He explains the process of how skimming devices steal your data and shares practical tips to safeguard your credit card, such as using ApplePay and inspecting card readers for skimmers. Take control of your data with DeleteMe. Because they sponsor the podcast you can get 20% off a privacy plan from DeleteMe with promo code: DAD.  Andy's new ebook is coming soon. Look for Level Up: The Parent 30-Minute Guide to Online Gaming Safety on February 12th! Connect

In this informative episode of PennyWise, host Nat Cardona sits down with Chip Lupo, a credit card writer for WalletHub, to explore the vital topic of credit freezes. As the importance of maintaining a good credit score becomes undeniable, Chip offers a comprehensive guide on how to protect your credit and identity through the strategic use of credit freezes.Listeners will gain insights into the process of implementing a credit freeze, its benefits, and potential drawbacks. Chip explains how a credit freeze can safeguard personal information from fraudsters, especially during times of increased vulnerability, such as the holiday season. He also discusses the ease of managing credit freezes through the major credit bureaus—Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax—via online platforms, phone, or mail.Learn about the importance of unfreezing your credit before applying for new credit accounts and the impact of a credit freeze on existing accounts. Chip also highlights scenarios where a credit freeze might be beneficial and clarifies misconceptions about its effects on credit score improvements.Show notes created with assistance by https://headliner.app ---

Protect your credit, protect your identity, and keep your money safe online. You can easily freeze your credit with each of the 3 credit bureaus to ensure no one can open accounts in your name. You don't need to pay for credit monitoring service in most cases or pay to know your credit score. It's very simple and easy to quickly unfreeze your credit before applying for a new credit card or mortgage. Also use unique passwords, stored securely and two-factor authentication (preferably on an Authenticator app over receiving a text code) for all your accounts. Active duty alerts on your credit report is NOT as helpful as actually freezing your credit. Links:  Annual Credit Report (free report, no cost, no catch) Freeze your credit w/ Experian Freeze your credit w/ TransUnion Freeze your credit w/ Equifax For a limited time, Spencer is offering one-on-one Military Money Mentor sessions! Get your personal military money and investing questions answered in a confidential coaching call. Our new TSP course is live! Check out the Confident TSP Investing course at militarymoneymanual.com/tsp to learn all about the Thrift Savings Plan and strategies for growing your wealth while in the military. Use promo code "podcast24" for $50 off. Plus, for every course sold, we'll donate one course to an E-4 or below- for FREE! If you have a question you would like us to answer on the podcast, please reach out on instagram.com/militarymoneymanual or email podcast@militarymoneymanual.com. If you want to maximize your military paycheck, check out Spencer's 5 star rated book The Military Money Manual: A Practical Guide to Financial Freedom on Amazon or at shop.militarymoneymanual.com. I also offer a 100% free course on military travel hacking and getting annual fee waived credit cards, like The Platinum Card® from American Express, the American Express® Gold Card, and the Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card in my Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course at militarymoneymanual.com/umc3. Learn how to get your annual fees waived on premium credit cards from American Express in the Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course at militarymoneymanual.com/umc3. The Platinum Card® from American Express and the American Express® Gold Card waive the annual fee for active duty military servicemembers, including Guard and Reserve on active orders over 30 days. The annual fees on all personal Amex cards are also waived for military spouses married to active duty troops.  

The medical records of 1/3 of Americans were stolen from Change Healthcare in February 2024, and leaked to the dark web. So who is Change Healthcare, and why did they have your data in the first place? Get the skinny on this week's episode.ResourcesChange Healthcare Cyberattack Affected 100 Million IndividualsThe Change Healthcare attack: Explaining how it happenedWyden Hearing Statement on Change Healthcare Cyberattack and UnitedHealth Group's ResponseTestimony of Andrew Witty, Chief Executive Officer, UnitedHealth Group Before the House Energy and Commerce Committee Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations “Examining the Change Healthcare Cyberattack”The impact of the Change Healthcare cyberattack: What to knowChange Healthcare Cyberattack: What Consumers Should KnowReceived a letter from Change Healthcare? What you should do nextChange Healthcare Attack Cost Estimate Reaches Nearly $2.9BChange Healthcare Finally Admits It Paid Ransomware Hackers $22 Million—and Still Faces a Patient Data LeakSend us a textEveryday AI: Your daily guide to grown with Generative AICan't keep up with AI? We've got you. Everyday AI helps you keep up and get ahead.Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport the showJoin our Patreon to listen ad-free!

How can you keep hackers from getting your Social Security Number? You can't. Between breaches of Equifax, the healthcare industry, and the recent National Public Data leak, your SSN is probably already making the rounds on the dark web. But you can fight back with some simple security measures.In this episode, we call back to our very first episode on the Equifax breach of 2017, and revisit the lessons learned and how they pertain to cybersecurity today, and in the future.ResourcesKrebs on Security: NationalPublicData.com Hack Exposes a Nation's DataSBA: COVID-19 Pandemic EIDL and PPP Loan Fraud LandscapeA Third of Americans Have had Their Social Security Numbers Leaked in Healthcare BreachesUsa.gov: How to place or lift a security freeze on your credit reportTroy Hunt: Inside the "3 Billion People" National Public Data BreachWatchdogs: SBA handed out over $80 billion in potentially fraudulent loansNBC News: 'Biggest fraud in a generation': The looting of the Covid relief plan known as PPPWIRED: LifeLock CEO's Identity Stolen 13 TimesYouTube: Lifelock CommercialBlue Grit Podcast: The Voice of Texas Law EnforcementHost: Clint McNear and Tyler Owen discussing topics, issues, and stories within the...Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport the showJoin our Patreon to listen ad-free!

Mike discusses the recent data breach affecting three billion individuals, emphasizing the importance of understanding the dark web and protecting personal information. He provides insights on how to check if one's data has been compromised and offers practical steps to safeguard against identity theft. Visit NPD Breach Check to see if your sensitive information was compromised. Need a second opinion on your retirement plan? Visit MichigansRetirementCoach.com to connect with Mike and his team today!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of The Secure Dad Podcast, Andy Murphy addresses the significant data breach affecting untold amounts of people. He discusses the impact on personal information, including names, social security numbers, and addresses.    Andy offers practical advice on safeguarding personal data, such as freezing credit, monitoring credit reports, and protecting children's information. He highlights the importance of proactive measures to protect your family's financial future.   For even more information on this read my full article with more tips: https://www.thesecuredad.com/creditfreeze   Freeze Your Child's Credit: https://www.thesecuredad.com/creditfreeze  Take control of your data with DeleteMe. Because they sponsor the podcast you can get 20% off a privacy plan from DeleteMe with promo code: DAD.  Defend your home with FlipLok. Listeners get 20% off when using discount code SECUREDAD at checkout. See how Troomi Wireless is making smartphones safe for kids. Use code THESECUREDAD at checkout for $50 off a phone. 00:00 Introduction to The Secure Dad Podcast 00:41 Understanding the Recent Data Breach 03:11 Details on the National Public Data Breach 06:08 Steps to Protect Your Credit 08:54 Freezing Your Child's Credit 11:15 Additional Resources 12:52 Protecting Your Financial Future   The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this Podcast are for general information only and any reliance on the information provided in this Podcast is done at your own risk. The views and opinions expressed by guests are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of The Secure Dad, LLC. The Secure Dad® is a registered trademark of The Secure Dad, LLC.

Spending Thanksgiving or Christmas at a hotel offers a refreshing alternative to the traditional holiday setup, tips on unlocking the magic of a Disney vacation and what to consider before deciding to freeze your credit.

Spending Thanksgiving or Christmas at a hotel offers a refreshing alternative to the traditional holiday setup, tips on unlocking the magic of a Disney vacation and what to consider before deciding to freeze your credit.

Spending Thanksgiving or Christmas at a hotel offers a refreshing alternative to the traditional holiday setup, tips on unlocking the magic of a Disney vacation and what to consider before deciding to freeze your credit.

Spending Thanksgiving or Christmas at a hotel offers a refreshing alternative to the traditional holiday setup, tips on unlocking the magic of a Disney vacation and what to consider before deciding to freeze your credit.

In this weeks show I discuss some of the concerns of using TOR over a VPN, and take another look at data removal from people search sites, including a look at Mozilla Monitor, a new service for data removal from the makers of Firefox. I'll also discuss the importance of freezing your credit and putting the title of your home into a revocable living trust, prior to removing your records from people search sites.This episode was recorded on February 16, 2024Follow Ray on Twitter @privacypodIn this week's episode:I'm still on the road!Anonymity with TOR and VPNGet that Credit Freeze and Revocable Living TrustData Removals from people search sitesMozilla Monitor, a new data removal serviceQuick update on the Complete pfSense Setup GuideShow Links:Mozilla Monitor: https://monitor.mozilla.orgTor Browser: https://www.torproject.org/downloadDeepCorr: https://dl.acm.org/doi/pdf/10.1145/3243734.3243824Foundations of Digital Privacy, Part One: https://lockdown.media/the-foundations-of-digital-privacy“If you want to keep a secret, you must also hide it from yourself.”-George Orwell

Register For Our FREE Credit Repair Business Masterclass: https://w.creditrepaircloud.com/free-training-cHas your identity ever been stolen? Identity theft is much more common than you might think. In 2017, hackers breached Equifax and stole the personal data of 147 million people. I was one of them, and my identity was stolen several times after the hack. It was an extremely stressful period in my life, and I spent a lot of time and nerves trying to sort it out. So, how can you protect yourself from identity theft and avoid these problems?Well, one of the best ways to protect your personal data is to freeze your credit. That's why today, I will tell you everything you need to know about credit freezes, when you should use one, and how to freeze your credit in 4 simple steps.These tips can save you a lot of trouble in the future, so stay tuned!Key Takeaways:00:00:00 Intro 00:00:59 What is a Credit Freeze? 00:03:17 Identity Theft is Super Common!00:04:10 Leveraging Credit Freezes to Protect Yourself00:05:24 4 Steps to Freeze Your Credit00:06:28 My Final Point00:06:43 Community Spotlight00:07:17 OutroAdditional Resources:Get a free trial to Credit Repair CloudGet my free credit repair training  Build Credit Scores WITHOUT More Debt | Step-by-StepMake sure to subscribe so you stay up to date with our latest episodes.

Time for a Friday Flight- our little sampling of the week's financial news and what it means for your personal finances. There are a lot of headlines out there, but we boil them down to specific takeaways that will allow you to kick off the weekend informed and help you to get ahead with your money. In this episode we explain some relevant and helpful stories like: higher 401k and IRA contribution limits, the eternal war against consumption, financially fasting, pumping the brakes on credit limit increases, top tier gas, when to splurge for ethanol free gas, airfare hacks leading you astray, higher credit scores and higher levels of debt, credit freeze failures, realtor fees revolution, legacy banks making bank, & bad news for budgeters.   Want more How To Money in your life? Here are some additional ways to get ahead with your personal finances: Knowing your ‘money gear' is a crucial part of your personal finance journey. Start here.  Sign up for the weekly HTM newsletter. It's fun, free, & practical. Join a thriving community of fellow money in the HTM Facebook group. Find the best credit card for you with our new credit card tool! Massively reduce your cell phone bill each month by switching to a discount provider like Mint Mobile.   And please help us to spread the word by letting friends and family know about How to Money! Hit the share button, subscribe if you're not already a regular listener, and give us a quick review in Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Help us to change the conversation around personal finance and get more people doing smart things with their money. Have an awesome weekend!   Best friends out!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Everyone should freeze their credit. But most retirement savers I talk to have not tackled this simple (and free!) task. After commenting briefly about credit freezes in an episode last month, I've received dozens of GREAT questions from listeners. Questions like... ‣ Should minor children freeze their credit even if they don't have a credit score? ‣ After freezing with the "big three" (Equifax, Transunion, Experian), what other agencies should I freeze my credit with? ‣ How will freezing my credit affect my credit score? ...and more! Tune in to get answers to these questions and learn more about this critical financial planning task that continues to be overlooked. --- WANT MORE RETIREMENT PLANNING TIPS? Join thousands of listeners and subscribe to the Stay Wealthy Retirement Newsletter. As a thank you, you'll receive a copy of my 2023 Tax Planning Cheatsheet.

Register For Our FREE Credit Repair Business Masterclass!In the 20 years since releasing my first credit repair software, I've faced the same challenges many of you face, including bank errors and data breaches. I've even been a victim of identity theft! I learned the hard way how important it is to safeguard your credit. But I also learned that there's a special tool that can act like a personal bodyguard for your credit…The credit freeze! Now, there's a ton of information online about credit freezes, but not all of it is true. So today, I'm going to bust some myths, reveal some secrets, and explain everything you need to know about freezing (and unfreezing) your credit report. These tips will help you keep your credit safe, so you better stick around!Key Takeaways:Intro (00:00)What Is a Credit Freeze? (01:00)Myths About Freezing Your Credit (02:25)When Should You Freeze Your Credit Report? (04:19)4 Steps to Freezing Your Credit Report (05:56)How to Unfreeze Your Credit Report (06:52)My Final Point (07:32)Community Spotlight (07:53)Outro (08:59)Additional Resources:- Get a free trial to Credit Repair Cloud- Get my free credit repair training  - Credit Report 101: A Beginner's Guide to Reading & Disputing!Make sure to subscribe so you stay up to date with our latest episodes.

On this episode, we're thrilled to host Kevin Fream, a respected authority in the field of cybersecurity. His unique journey, marked by overcoming personal challenges and rising to the top of his profession, forms the backbone of our conversation. This episode is a deep dive into the intricacies of cybersecurity, aiming to empower listeners with the knowledge they need to stay safe in our technology-driven world. Kevin shares his expert tips and strategies on how to fortify your digital spaces against hackers, offering an inside look into an often mysterious industry. We further explore the realm of identity theft protection, with a special focus on LifeLock - a leader in the field. Kevin's insights reveal the effectiveness of these services, providing a balanced view of their benefits and drawbacks. One of the highlights of our discussion is the concept of freezing credit reports. Kevin enlightens us on why this measure can be a game-changer in the fight against identity theft. He breaks down the process, making it accessible and understandable for all our listeners. Whether you're tech-savvy or just starting your tech journey, this episode has something for you. We're unpacking critical topics and delivering expert knowledge, making cybersecurity approachable and less intimidating. Tune in, stay safe, and let's navigate the vast ocean of cybersecurity together with Kevin Fream on this episode of Next to Madison

Harry discusses the ease of putting a freeze on your credit in today's episode.  #IDTheft, #credittips, #experian, #financialfreedom, #debtfree, #badcredit, #creditrepair  

One of the most important assets often overlook and not properly protected by many is their credit score. In this special episode of the Martini Mortgage Podcast, Raleigh mortgage broker and Certified Mortgage Advisor Kevin Martini discuss a free way to stop unauthorized access to your credit but also another free strategy to stop unsolicited offers that put pressure on your credit score. As a supplement for episode 167 of the Martini Mortgage Podcast, information on how to 'freeze it' ... 'thaw it' ... 'opt-out'  go to: https://www.martinimortgagegroup.com/freeze-it-and-opt-out/ You will find resources for  website, telephone number and address for Equifax, Experian and Trans Union.  In addition to website and telephone number for the Consumer Credit Reporting Agency to opt-out.  WARNING: there is no guarantees that a freeze will protect you 100% of the time.  One may still steal your non public private information or maybe one may hack into one of your existing open accounts  however it is my opinion, the credit freeze opting out of unwanted credit solicitation is the most reliable defense you have in your arsenal to prevent identity fraud. Kevin Martini | NMLS 143962 | Certified Mortgage Advisor | Martini Mortgage Group at Gold Star Mortgage Financial Group, Corporation | NMLS # 3446 | 507 N Blount St, Raleigh, NC 27604 | (919) 238-4934 | www.MartiniMortgageGroup.com | Kevin@MartiniMortgageGroup.com | Equal Housing Lender

Tips and Tricks to Help You Be More Secure OnlineMike from Paratus Radio is back and we deep dive on Information Security Tips.Did you know that identity theft is now targeting kids? A friend's daughter reached 18 and she went to get a car loan, but her identity has already been stolen and debt incurred against her. And Mike is getting insurance and credit ads in the mail for his 11 yo son.A credit freeze can help this. Just one of the tips you will learn in this episode.(Visit https://thrivingthefuture.com/info-security for more extensive show notes and a download of a PDF with detailed Info Security Tips).Information Security Tip highlights in this episode:Use a Password ManagerImplement Two-factor Authentication (2FA) on All AccountsImplement a Credit Freeze for every member of your household (yes, even for your kids)Do a digital account review, cleanup, and then migrate to encrypted platformsProtect your phone numberProtect your email addressProtect your Credit and Debit CardsSecure your data in motion (VPN)Use privacy-oriented softwareListen to the episode for more tips.

Have investors seen a stock market bottom or a bear bounce? Taking simulated golf to the next level and deciding if a credit freeze is a smart thing to do.

With identity and data theft on the rise, we'd like to suggest what you can do now and if you are informed of a data breach. Discussion:Ida on the economyCOVID on the economyhow to get a credit reportwhat will they askwhy freeze creating new creditafter you freeze your creditif your credit report is wrongcheck your Social Security Information at ssa.govYou might not be able to keep your data from being stolen but we've got tips on what to do if it is. These are tips anyone can use to protect their bank account, the retirement, their credit record. ? https://www.fultonbank.com/Education-Center/Privacy-and-Security/personal-data-breach-tipsChange your passwords Sign up for two-factor authenticationCheck for updates from the companyWatch your accounts, check your credit reportsConsider identity theft protection servicesFreeze your creditIdentitytheft.govCyber Security podcast from Aug. 9the 2019 http://moneytalks.mpbonline.org/episodes/money-talks-cyber-securityCheck your credit report: https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2021/03/free-weekly-credit-reports-during-covid-extended-until-april-2022Phone numbers for the 3 credit reporting bureaus:Equifax:1 (888) 766-0008 Experian:1 (888) 397-3742 TransUnion:1 (800) 680-7289 See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The show Squid Game inspires a reality TV series, how a credit freeze could help thwart identity thieves and help for investors looking to enter the market during turbulent times.

The single most important thing that one can to prevent becoming of victim of identity theft is to freeze their credit.  Certified Mortgage Advisor and Raleigh Mortgage Broker Kevin Martini shares in this special episode of the Martini Mortgage Podcast, episode 139 which is called; You got to freeze it, why one should freeze their credit and how one can freeze their credit. For information on how to freeze your credit with Experian, Equifax and TransUnion (website address, phone numbers & addresses) check out the helpful links in the ‘Learning Center' at www.MartiniMortgageGroup.com under the title:  Credit Freeze by Raleigh Mortgage Lender Kevin Martini Kevin Martini | NMLS 143962 | Certified Mortgage Advisor and Producing Branch Manager | Martini Mortgage Group at PCL Financial Group (powered by Celebrity Home Loans, LLC NMLS 227765) | 507 N Blount St Raleigh, NC 27604 | (919) 238-4934 | www.MartiniMortgageGroup.com | Kevin@MartiniMortgageGroup.com | nmlsconsumeraccess.org | Equal Housing Lender

By now you've probably heard of some form of credit protection service, whether it be a freeze, a lock, or a fraud alert; however, you'd be surprised to know the differences between these services, and how one form may protect you more than another. In this episode, Carrie and Kyle discuss these three forms of credit protections, what they really do, and which one can actually help protect your personal credit. Things you'll learn in this episode What are these services, and what they provide Why one of these services is better than the others Where to activate these services Are these free? Will having these in place prevent me from doing anything with my credit? Resources: Steps to place a freeze and show notes www.privacy-mentor.com/ep68

CEO, Chris Boyd, CFP®, and Marketing Director, Cathi Ingersoll, go over the shows agenda and talk about some benefits of freezing your credit.  Special guest Bob Powell, CFP®, joins the show and talks about his involvement in a variety of ventures. Bob is a wealth of financial information, and him and the team get into an assortment of topics ranging from current risks in the market, inflation, asset allocation, cryptocurrency, and more. 

Today on the Retirement Lifestyle Show, Roshan Loungani, Erik Olson, and Adrian Nicholson dissect credit freezes and explain why they are among the most effective anti-fraud strategies available today. They go through the benefits of executing a credit freeze, the difference between a credit freeze and a fraud alert, and the downside to freezing your credit. [06:40] Backstory to Today's Topic of Discussion [11:24] What is a Credit Freeze? [14:40] How Credit Bureaus Handle Credit Freeze Requests [15:48] The Difference Between a Credit Freeze and a Fraud Alert [20:11] The Downsides to Freezing Your Credit [22:32] Taxes, Identity Thefts, and a Credit Freeze [29:10] Parting Thoughts Roshan can be reached at roshan.loungani@aretewealth.com or at 202-536-4468. Erik can be reached at erik.olson@aretewealth.com or 815-940-4652. Adrian can be reached at adrian.nicholson@aretewealth.com or at 703-915-8905. Follow Us At: Website: https://retirementlifestyleshow.com/ https://www.retirewithroshan.com https://youtu.be/hKVzI87v0tA https://twitter.com/RoshanLoungani https://www.linkedin.com/in/roshanloungani/ https://www.facebook.com/retirewithroshan/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/financialerik/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrian-nicholson-74b82b13b/ #retirementlifestylepodcast #fire #podcast #FI #Retire #retirewithroshan #BAM #BusinessAsMission #ImpactInvesting All opinions expressed by podcast hosts and guests are solely their own. While based on information they believe is reliable, neither Arete Wealth nor its affiliates warrant its completeness or accuracy, nor do their opinions reflect the opinion of Arete Wealth. This podcast is for general informational purposes only and should not be regarded as specific advice or recommendations for any individual. Before making any decisions, consult a professional.

Your 60-second money minute. Today's topic: Might Be Credit Freeze Time

Today on the Retirement Lifestyle Show, Roshan Loungani, Erik Olson, and Adrian Nicholson talk about cyber fraud and how criminals are now targeting gaming, leisure, and travel industries. They explain tactics used by criminals to target individuals, the pros and cons of using password managers, and how to protect yourself from potential attacks. [03:30] Cyber fraud in a Post-Pandemic World [08:50] Tips on How to Protect Yourself from Cybercriminals [11:54] Credit Freeze and Fraud Alerts [16:20] The Pros and Cons of Using Password Managers [20:40] Cybercriminals Targeting Cryptocurrencies [25:20] Are You Protecting Your Aging Parents from Online Fraud Follow Us At: Website: https://retirementlifestyleshow.com/ https://www.retirewithroshan.com https://youtu.be/hKVzI87v0tA https://twitter.com/RoshanLoungani https://www.linkedin.com/in/roshanloungani/ https://www.facebook.com/retirewithroshan/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/financialerik/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrian-nicholson-74b82b13b/ #retirementlifestylepodcast #fire #podcast #FI #Retire #retirewithroshan #BAM #BusinessAsMission #ImpactInvesting All opinions expressed by podcast hosts and guests are solely their own. While based on information they believe is reliable, neither Arete Wealth nor its affiliates warrant its completeness or accuracy, nor do their opinions reflect the opinion of Arete Wealth. This podcast is for general informational purposes only and should not be regarded as specific advice or recommendations for any individual. Before making any decisions, consult a professional.

On Security Now, Steve Gibson revisits last week's discussion around what T-Mobile subscribers should do to protect themselves in light of the massive T-Mobile data leak. For this and more, check out Security Now: https://twit.tv/sn/834 Hosts: Steve Gibson and Leo Laporte You can find more about TWiT and subscribe to our podcasts at https://podcasts.twit.tv/

On Security Now, Steve Gibson revisits last week's discussion around what T-Mobile subscribers should do to protect themselves in light of the massive T-Mobile data leak. For this and more, check out Security Now: https://twit.tv/sn/834 Hosts: Steve Gibson and Leo Laporte You can find more about TWiT and subscribe to our podcasts at https://podcasts.twit.tv/

Picture of the Week. Credit Freeze vs Credit Lock. T-Mobile hacker speaks! Where will Windows 11 run? ProxyToken. Tailscale Open Source? SSD Bait & Switch. SpinRite. Life: Hanging by a PIN. We invite you to read our show notes at https://www.grc.com/sn/SN-834-Notes.pdf Hosts: Steve Gibson and Leo Laporte Download or subscribe to this show at https://twit.tv/shows/security-now. Get episodes ad-free with Club TWiT at https://twit.tv/clubtwit You can submit a question to Security Now! at the GRC Feedback Page. For 16kbps versions, transcripts, and notes (including fixes), visit Steve's site: grc.com, also the home of the best disk maintenance and recovery utility ever written Spinrite 6. Sponsors: plextrac.com/twit att.com/activearmor Melissa.com/twit

Picture of the Week. Credit Freeze vs Credit Lock. T-Mobile hacker speaks! Where will Windows 11 run? ProxyToken. Tailscale Open Source? SSD Bait & Switch. SpinRite. Life: Hanging by a PIN. We invite you to read our show notes at https://www.grc.com/sn/SN-834-Notes.pdf Hosts: Steve Gibson and Leo Laporte Download or subscribe to this show at https://twit.tv/shows/security-now. Get episodes ad-free with Club TWiT at https://twit.tv/clubtwit You can submit a question to Security Now! at the GRC Feedback Page. For 16kbps versions, transcripts, and notes (including fixes), visit Steve's site: grc.com, also the home of the best disk maintenance and recovery utility ever written Spinrite 6. Sponsors: plextrac.com/twit att.com/activearmor Melissa.com/twit

Picture of the Week. Credit Freeze vs Credit Lock. T-Mobile hacker speaks! Where will Windows 11 run? ProxyToken. Tailscale Open Source? SSD Bait & Switch. SpinRite. Life: Hanging by a PIN. We invite you to read our show notes at https://www.grc.com/sn/SN-834-Notes.pdf Hosts: Steve Gibson and Leo Laporte Download or subscribe to this show at https://twit.tv/shows/security-now. Get episodes ad-free with Club TWiT at https://twit.tv/clubtwit You can submit a question to Security Now! at the GRC Feedback Page. For 16kbps versions, transcripts, and notes (including fixes), visit Steve's site: grc.com, also the home of the best disk maintenance and recovery utility ever written Spinrite 6. Sponsors: plextrac.com/twit att.com/activearmor Melissa.com/twit

Picture of the Week. Credit Freeze vs Credit Lock. T-Mobile hacker speaks! Where will Windows 11 run? ProxyToken. Tailscale Open Source? SSD Bait & Switch. SpinRite. Life: Hanging by a PIN. We invite you to read our show notes at https://www.grc.com/sn/SN-834-Notes.pdf Hosts: Steve Gibson and Leo Laporte Download or subscribe to this show at https://twit.tv/shows/security-now. Get episodes ad-free with Club TWiT at https://twit.tv/clubtwit You can submit a question to Security Now! at the GRC Feedback Page. For 16kbps versions, transcripts, and notes (including fixes), visit Steve's site: grc.com, also the home of the best disk maintenance and recovery utility ever written Spinrite 6. Sponsors: plextrac.com/twit att.com/activearmor Melissa.com/twit

With identity and data theft on the rise, we'd like to suggest what you can do now and if you are informed of a data breach. Discussion:Ida on the economyCOVID on the economyhow to get a credit reportwhat will they askwhy freeze creating new creditafter you freeze your creditif your credit report is wrongcheck your Social Security Information at ssa.govYou might not be able to keep your data from being stolen but we've got tips on what to do if it is. These are tips anyone can use to protect their bank account, the retirement, their credit record. ? https://www.fultonbank.com/Education-Center/Privacy-and-Security/personal-data-breach-tipsChange your passwords Sign up for two-factor authenticationCheck for updates from the companyWatch your accounts, check your credit reports Consider identity theft protection services Freeze your creditIdentitytheft.govCyver Security podcast from Aug. 9the 2019 http://moneytalks.mpbonline.org/episodes/money-talks-cyber-securityCheck your credit report: https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2021/03/free-weekly-credit-reports-during-covid-extended-until-april-2022Phone numbers for the 3 credit reporting bureaus: Equifax:1 (888) 766-0008 Experian:1 (888) 397-3742 TransUnion:1 (800) 680-7289 See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Picture of the Week. Credit Freeze vs Credit Lock. T-Mobile hacker speaks! Where will Windows 11 run? ProxyToken. Tailscale Open Source? SSD Bait & Switch. SpinRite. Life: Hanging by a PIN. We invite you to read our show notes at https://www.grc.com/sn/SN-834-Notes.pdf Hosts: Steve Gibson and Leo Laporte Download or subscribe to this show at https://twit.tv/shows/security-now. Get episodes ad-free with Club TWiT at https://twit.tv/clubtwit You can submit a question to Security Now! at the GRC Feedback Page. For 16kbps versions, transcripts, and notes (including fixes), visit Steve's site: grc.com, also the home of the best disk maintenance and recovery utility ever written Spinrite 6. Sponsors: plextrac.com/twit att.com/activearmor Melissa.com/twit

Picture of the Week. Credit Freeze vs Credit Lock. T-Mobile hacker speaks! Where will Windows 11 run? ProxyToken. Tailscale Open Source? SSD Bait & Switch. SpinRite. Life: Hanging by a PIN. We invite you to read our show notes at https://www.grc.com/sn/SN-834-Notes.pdf Hosts: Steve Gibson and Leo Laporte Download or subscribe to this show at https://twit.tv/shows/security-now. Get episodes ad-free with Club TWiT at https://twit.tv/clubtwit You can submit a question to Security Now! at the GRC Feedback Page. For 16kbps versions, transcripts, and notes (including fixes), visit Steve's site: grc.com, also the home of the best disk maintenance and recovery utility ever written Spinrite 6. Sponsors: plextrac.com/twit att.com/activearmor Melissa.com/twit

Picture of the Week. Credit Freeze vs Credit Lock. T-Mobile hacker speaks! Where will Windows 11 run? ProxyToken. Tailscale Open Source? SSD Bait & Switch. SpinRite. Life: Hanging by a PIN. We invite you to read our show notes at https://www.grc.com/sn/SN-834-Notes.pdf Hosts: Steve Gibson and Leo Laporte Download or subscribe to this show at https://twit.tv/shows/security-now. Get episodes ad-free with Club TWiT at https://twit.tv/clubtwit You can submit a question to Security Now! at the GRC Feedback Page. For 16kbps versions, transcripts, and notes (including fixes), visit Steve's site: grc.com, also the home of the best disk maintenance and recovery utility ever written Spinrite 6. Sponsors: plextrac.com/twit att.com/activearmor Melissa.com/twit

Picture of the Week. Credit Freeze vs Credit Lock. T-Mobile hacker speaks! Where will Windows 11 run? ProxyToken. Tailscale Open Source? SSD Bait & Switch. SpinRite. Life: Hanging by a PIN. We invite you to read our show notes at https://www.grc.com/sn/SN-834-Notes.pdf Hosts: Steve Gibson and Leo Laporte Download or subscribe to this show at https://twit.tv/shows/security-now. Get episodes ad-free with Club TWiT at https://twit.tv/clubtwit You can submit a question to Security Now! at the GRC Feedback Page. For 16kbps versions, transcripts, and notes (including fixes), visit Steve's site: grc.com, also the home of the best disk maintenance and recovery utility ever written Spinrite 6. Sponsors: plextrac.com/twit att.com/activearmor Melissa.com/twit

Picture of the Week. Credit Freeze vs Credit Lock. T-Mobile hacker speaks! Where will Windows 11 run? ProxyToken. Tailscale Open Source? SSD Bait & Switch. SpinRite. Life: Hanging by a PIN. We invite you to read our show notes at https://www.grc.com/sn/SN-834-Notes.pdf Hosts: Steve Gibson and Leo Laporte Download or subscribe to this show at https://twit.tv/shows/security-now. Get episodes ad-free with Club TWiT at https://twit.tv/clubtwit You can submit a question to Security Now! at the GRC Feedback Page. For 16kbps versions, transcripts, and notes (including fixes), visit Steve's site: grc.com, also the home of the best disk maintenance and recovery utility ever written Spinrite 6. Sponsors: plextrac.com/twit att.com/activearmor Melissa.com/twit

How To Get New Credit. Wells Fargo Banks Closing Lines Of Credit. No worries, the Fintech Banks are here.❤️️Wells Fargo Personal Line Of Credit: https://www.cnbc.com/2021/07/08/wells-fargo-is-shutting-down-all-personal-line-of-credit-accounts-.html❤️️Banks Cut Back On Loans, 2015 article: https://www.wsj.com/articles/big-banks-cut-back-on-small-business-1448586637❤️️Big Banks Cut Loans To Record Lows: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-04-12/big-u-s-banks-cut-loans-to-record-low-again-as-deposits-jump

Headline of the week: The time is now for action on social security Credit Freeze The best way to protect your financial information from criminals. It 100% prevents others from accessing your credit information. It also 100% locks down anyone from opening credit in your name. A credit freeze has to be implemented with each of the three credit bureaus (Transunion, Equifax, and Experian). The credit freeze is governed by the federal government and the three credit bureaus have to allow for this procedure under federal law How it works You go to each of the three credit bureaus websites and request a freeze. The process usually takes about 5 minutes or so to set up with each Bureau. Once all three bureaus are frozen, you no longer have to worry about someone opening credit in your name. PIN/CODE: Some of the bureaus may assign a PIN number or a Code to be able to thaw your file. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE make sure to save this PIN number somewhere safe - I even recommend saving in your email archives somewhere so you can access it if you're not at home. When YOU want to get a loan or be able to have someone pull your credit for a legitimate reason - the bank or lender WILL NOT be able to access your credit profile until you temporarily thaw your credit report. I typically ask the lender which bureau they use, and then just go thaw that credit report at the bureau's website To Thaw: similar process to doing a freeze, just go to the credit bureau website, fill in the information they have requested and/or login to your account and tell the credit bureau how long you want your file to be thawed. The credit freeze and thaw process is pretty much immediate. Typically takes effect within about 5 minutes. What to do BEFORE you freeze your credit Sign up for a free credit monitoring service like Credit Karma or Credit Sesame. These two companies will send you notifications when a new credit account is opened or if there is any suspicious activity. Both companies will send you credit card offers through their website or by email. You can opt out of this stuff, but this is how they make money. Process for freezing credit Each Credit Bureau has a dedicated page on their website that will help you with credit freeze and thawing Experian: Once at their website, select “Add Security Freeze” Transunion : Once at their website - select “Add a freeze” Equifax: Once at their website - select “Place a freeze” *Please remember to save your code/PIN if they provide one.

Going to Experian.com to activate your credit freeze could result in paying unnecessary fees or getting you something other than a credit freeze. In this episode you'll find out the RIGHT way to activate a credit freeze. Resources: https://www.experian.com/freeze/center.html How to Freeze Your Credit video Protect Your Identity in 14-days online program

When it comes to protecting your credit from identity theft you have three options available from the credit bureaus: Fraud alert Credit freeze Credit lock Do you know the difference between them? If not, this episode is for you. One provides the strongest protection and one could reduce your rights. Topics covered: What is a fraud alert What is a credit freeze What is a credit lock How to set each one up Which is the best to use and why Now you know which is the best - it is time to set it up. I'll show you how and more in my Protect Your Identity in 14 Days program. In as little as ten minutes a day for 14 days, you too can protect your identity. Identity theft protection services alone will not protect you. But, my proven protection process will. Jump start protecting your identity today - click here to learn more.

The pandemic 1 year in - Clark discusses the impact of vaccines on recovery and the emerging Covid passport. / Buying vehicles is in transition as electric vehicles gain range and become more affordable. Direct online versus dealer purchases are in play. Why it's riskly buying a new gas engine vehicle now. Ask clark questions include: Vaccination and Covid test form privacy concerns - Credit Freeze, Travel Insurance, Bitcoin IRA or Savings not recommnended, Zillow zestimates. Want more money advice? Sign up for Clark’s free daily newsletter! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have you heard of a method called “freezing” or “suppressing” credit reports? There are some who swear by it and others who say it’s total crap! A credit freeze is a service most credit agencies offer which allows you to essentially lock down, suppress or freeze your credit report. Now, there are a few instances when this is very helpful.For instance, in cases where identity theft has been detected or is suspected because it prevents anyone from opening new accounts in your name. Or some people traveling abroad for a long period of time use this service as peace of mind so they don’t have to worry about ID theft while out of the country. Or sometimes government officials use this service to hide their personal information from the public.  But is it a legit method to clean up your credit?Find out in this week’s episode of the Credit Repair Business Secrets Podcast!Let’s dive in!Key Takeaways for This Week:Credit freeze theories - true or false? (0:00)What exactly is a credit freeze? (1:13)How to freeze your credit report (2:22)Can performing a credit freeze help you repair your credit score? (3:18)The best, proven way to improve your credit score (5:56)Additional Resources:Get a free trial to Credit Repair CloudSign up for the Credit Hero ChallengeGet my free book “The Ultimate Guide To Starting A Credit Repair Business”Make sure to subscribe so you stay up to date with our latest episodes!

Following up on last month's episode with Axton-Betz Hamilton, this special edition episode focuses on identity theft and cybersecurity. Cyber Security specialist John Sileo joins Real Money, Real Experts co-hosts Rebecca Wiggins and Dr. Mary Bell Carlson to talk about how he personally was a victim of identity theft and why he's so passionate about helping others.John is a Harvard graduate, award-winning author, and a nationally renowned speaker who's appeared on Rachel Ray, Anderson Cooper, Dr. Oz, and Fox and friends. He is also a frequent contributor to USA Today, The Washington Post, and Kiplinger. John is now the CEO of the Sileo Group, which is a high tech think tank. Show Notes:00:52 Intro John Sileo02:17 John's path to cybersecurity 04:43 Cybersecurity crimes in John's personal life15:06 Cybertheft effects on personal relationships17:10 Top tips to protect against identity theft20:53 Identify theft and the pandemic23:25 Identity theft insurance25:54 Tips for financial counselors and coaches27:59 Your Two Cents Show Note Links:Connect with John:Sileo.comFacebookLinkedInYoutubePassword Manager Options:https://1password.com/https://www.dashlane.com/Credit Freeze with all 3 credit bureaus: https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0497-credit-freeze-faqsTurn on two-factor authentication for anything online if possible: financial, investment, email, etc.: https://www.investopedia.com/terms/t/twofactor-authentication-2fa.aspUse Password Managers:https://www.pcmag.com/picks/the-best-password-managers Recommend: https://www.dashlane.com, https://1password.com/ Credit Monitoring: https://www.annualcreditreport.comIdentity Theft Insurance: Can buy through your homeowner’s insurancehttps://www.ftc.gov/coronavirus/scams-consumer-advice AFCPE Membership: https://www.afcpe.org/membership/Find an AFC professional: https://www.afcpe.org/find-an-afcpe-certified-professional/

Latest on the Biden administration's impact on gas prices, making sure your money strategy is in sync with the change in government and tips on implementing a credit freeze to protect against identify theft... See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Financial Fraud hit record highs in 2020, and there are a myriad number of ways you can be scammed.  Today, Kevin Dick of KDI Wealth walks us through some of the different (and sophisticated) ways people try to play on your emotions and separate you from your hard earned money.  If you are scammed, it's important that you take action.  Don't be embarrassed; scammers are becoming better and smarter.How does one become a victim of financial fraud?How big a deal is this?  How much money is subject to this fraud each year?What are some examples of different acts of financial fraud?How does one keep their information safe?How does Kevin, as an advisor, keep information safe and recognize when these acts might be happening?What does one do when they have been a victim of financial fraud?For more help with your financial future, contact Kevin at KDI Wealth.Call (877) 474-4350Email: kevin@kdiwealth.com

This week I discuss the concept of creating online accounts tied to your identity before criminals do it for you, otherwise known as planting your flag. While some of my shows are targeted towards those who take privacy to the extreme, this show is relevant to everyone. While preparing for this show, I found myself exposed. Let's tighten our online security together. Support for this show comes directly from sales of my books. More details can be found at https://inteltechniques.com/books.html. Listen to ALL episodes at https://inteltechniques.com/podcast.html SHOW NOTES: INTRO: Equifax Fail PLANT YOUR FLAG (REVISITED): https://krebsonsecurity.com/2020/08/why-where-you-should-you-plant-your-flag/ Credit Freeze vs. Credit Bureau Profiles https://my.equifax.com/consumer-registration/UCSC/#/personal-info https://usa.experian.com/registration https://service.transunion.com/dss/orderStep1_form.page? IRS: https://www.irs.gov/identity-theft-fraud-scams/get-an-identity-protection-pin https://www.eftps.gov/eftps/ Online Banking Cell Phone PIN Voice Mail PIN Utilities Accounts USPS: https://informeddelivery.usps.com/box/pages/intro/start.action State Unemployment Office DMV Vehicle Insurance Home Insurance Custom Domain Data Removal Workbook: https://inteltechniques.com/data/workbook.pdf Affiliate Links (products we use): VPN Considerations: https://inteltechniques.com/vpn.html ProtonMail: http://proton.go2cloud.org/aff_c?offer_id=15&aff_id=1519 ProtonVPN: https://proton.go2cloud.org/aff_c?offer_id=6&aff_id=1519 PIA VPN: https://www.privateinternetaccess.com/pages/buy-vpn/crimeinfo Silent Pocket: https://silent-pocket.com/discount/IntelTechniques Fastmail: https://ref.fm/u14547153 Amazon: https://amzn.to/2B5svbH

You probably know that you have a right to a free annual credit report from each of the three major credit bureaus, Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. What you might NOT have heard is that with COVID-19, all three credit bureaus are now offering weekly free credit reports through April 2021. In today's episode we talk about how to request credit reports, what credit reports are, what is inside, and how to use alerts and freezes. We’ll also dive into protecting your identity and hear what my journey with identity theft taught me.

Cyber-criminals and scammers are constantly looking for ways to steal your identity and your hard-earned money. In this episode, hosts Steven Crowley and The Cyber Sleuth discuss new tactics used by the criminals and how best to avoid becoming a victim by using a credit a freeze.

This week on the pod we’re answering your questions! 1 - Having just started my career, how much should I have in my emergency fund? 2 - Should I still move forward with my credit freeze? 3 - My insurance agent is recommending an insurance policy with a cash value. Should I consider it? 4 - Should we get a variable or fixed rate mortgage for our first home purchase? 5 - How do I keep my car insurance rates down after getting in a wreck? And if you have a question for us, we’d love for you to submit your own via HowToMoney.com/ask During this episode we enjoyed a Killer Grove by Talisman Brewing Co which you can find on Untappd. A big thanks to Andy for donating this beer to the show! And if you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and give us a quick review in Apple Podcasts, Castbox, or wherever you get your podcasts- we’d love to hear from you. Best friends out! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://news.iheart.com/podcast-advertisers

This week in The Money Café, James Kirby and Alan Kohler question whether there's still a need for mortgage brokers, wonder whether Andy Penn from Telstra can turn the company around, and ponder a strange listener question…investing in Lego.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Your identity, especially your financial identity, is something you have to keep safe. In this information age most of your personal information is stored digitally, which means there’s an increasing risk that the wrong people will gain access to it. What you do to protect your information can either make you vulnerable or safe. In this episode we share ways you can keep your identity safe, including a new law that makes it much easier for you to ensure identity theft doesn’t happen to you.

Remote Code Execution Vulnerability in WhatsApp https://bugs.chromium.org/p/project-zero/issues/detail?id=1654 Salesforce Releases hashh Library https://github.com/salesforce/hassh CVE-2018-8453 Details from Kaspersky https://securelist.com/cve-2018-8453-used-in-targeted-attacks/88151/ Juniper Patches https://kb.juniper.net/InfoCenter/index?page=content&channel=SECURITY_ADVISORIES Experian Vulnerability Could Have Leaked Credit Freeze PINs https://www.nerdwallet.com/blog/finance/security-flaw-at-experian-allows-easy-access-to-pin-to-unlock-credit-freeze/

Remote Code Execution Vulnerability in WhatsApp https://bugs.chromium.org/p/project-zero/issues/detail?id=1654 Salesforce Releases hashh Library https://github.com/salesforce/hassh CVE-2018-8453 Details from Kaspersky https://securelist.com/cve-2018-8453-used-in-targeted-attacks/88151/ Juniper Patches https://kb.juniper.net/InfoCenter/index?page=content&channel=SECURITY_ADVISORIES Experian Vulnerability Could Have Leaked Credit Freeze PINs https://www.nerdwallet.com/blog/finance/security-flaw-at-experian-allows-easy-access-to-pin-to-unlock-credit-freeze/

If you are concerned about protecting your good credit profile you could consider credit monitoring but it is the opinion of Kevin Martini with the Martini Mortgage Group at Benchmark Mortgage that the only real way to protect yourself from those mega data breaches you hear about on the news or preventing someone from gaining access to your credit without your permission is a Credit Freeze.  Episode 13 of the Martini Mortgage Podcast, mortgage strategist Kevin Martini breaks down what you need to know about the Credit Freeze.   For trusted mortgage home loan advice, tune in and call the Martini Mortgage Group at Benchmark Mortgage.   Enjoy the show and thank you in advance for subscribing and leaving your positive feedback.   Kevin Martini | NMLS ID 143962 | Branch Manager | Martini Mortgage Group at Benchmark Mortgage | Ark-La-Tex Financial Services, LLC NMLS ID 2143 | 5650 Six Forks Road, Suite 101 Raleigh, NC 27609 | (919) 238-4934 | www.KevinMartini.com | kevin.Martini@Benchmark.us | Equal Housing Opportunity

This is the Shared Security Weekly Blaze for May 14, 2018 sponsored by Security Perspectives – Your Source for Tailored Security Awareness Training and Assessment Solutions, Silent Pocket and CISOBox.  This episode was hosted by Tom Eston. Listen to this episode and previous ones direct via your web browser by clicking here! Help the podcast and leave us a review!  […] The post The Shared Security Weekly Blaze – Recent Windows Vulnerabilities, Exposed Passwords, Credit Freeze Controversy appeared first on The Shared Security Show.

Ron Siegel discusses local and national current events, politics, personal and business finance with a few mortgage tips along the way. A Southern California mortgage expert and bonafide political junkie, Ron Siegel delivers intelligent, entertaining radio that makes the hard news of the week easy to understand!   Ron Siegel will discuss: 5 Reasons to Hire a Real Estate Professional When Buying or Selling!; What is a Credit Freeze and Does it Protect You; Trump Says There Won't Be 401(k) Changes Under His Tax Plan; Real Time Real Estate; Your Credit Matters; Mortgage Minute; Word on Wealth; and so much more. Ron Siegel, consumer advocate and mortgage lender, discusses anything that affects the roof over your head, your bank account or other items that will benefit you / your family. Reach Ron Siegel at  www.Facebook.com/RonSiegelRadio800.306.1990 Ron@RonSiegelRadio.comwww.RonSiegelRadio.comwww.SiegelLendingTeam.com your La Quinta Mortgage Lender Your La Quinta Mortgage Lender offers: Conventional Loans, FHA Loans, USDA Loans, Refinancing, and Reverse Mortgages  

Equifax offers free Credit Freeze

What do dentists who shoot lions, publicists who make jokes in poor taste on Twitter and Indiana pizza makers have in common? Their lives were suddenly and irrevocably changed for the worst while doing something that they could never have predicted would lead to it.Avoiding catastrophe is an important pillar of the wealth building strategy that I promote through Radical Personal Finance. As personal finance enthusiasts, we are one of the most prudent groups of people on this planet: we build our emergency funds, insure against negative events, diversify our investments and make careful choices about our spending.Radical Personal Finance is, however, about going beyond the obvious and into the territory of things less commonly considered, but just as important. I want you to be prepared to deal with a hurricane, becoming a refugee, dealing with food scarcity or even the possibility of getting arrested. In my experience as a financial advisor, it has often frustrated me with how little care is sometimes taken to ensure the client’s financial security, despite the good intentions of most people in the industry. But why is this possible? The answer is that most people care even less about their data. It’s shocking to discover how vulnerable we actually make ourselves by not taking simple security measures when using bank accounts, email and social media - vulnerable not only to a loss privacy but potentially to a very real financial loss. I’ve taken an interest in this subject a while ago, and have been really impressed by the book The Complete Privacy and Security Desk Reference which stood out in a field where information is often cursory or out of date. That is why I invited co-author Justin Carroll to Radical Personal Finance to talk about real, actionable ways in which you can become more secure and protect your privacy. This article contains some of the best tools mentioned in our discussion, though for a more complete picture I recommend that you listen to the episode above and purchase the book itself. But This Won’t Happen to Me I often get this objection: “I’m not doing anything wrong - why should I be concerned about privacy?”. Here’s an analogy that I’ve found helpful in explaining why I promote these ideas:Do you remember the time when every phone call was a party line? Anyone in the household could pick up another receiver and there was very little one could do about it at the time. Now, however, you do have a choice - do you want to make everything you search for, consume, talk about as well as access to all of your accounts and purchase history a party line? Complete privacy and security are very difficult to achieve, but some very simple steps and tools can protect you from most of the headaches in the future. Another thing to consider is this: You may not be a target right now - but you may become one in the future as your wealth increases, you endorse unpopular political or religious perspectives or just live your life the usual way, as the stories at the beginning of this article illustrate. This may be a decade from now, but to prevent it you must build the skills and the mindset starting today, because you don’t know what circumstances you will face in the future through no fault of your own, and you can’t control things after the fact. Some simple tools and habits that have a great impact: Accounts and Passwords You are at great risk if you use the same or the same few passwords for all of your accounts. You will see this warning often and for good reason when creating new accounts: it only takes one company to be breached (who didn’t store your data properly) and an attacker gains access to all of your accounts. Alternatively, it’s often enough if they just gain access to your main email and phone account (which isn’t very difficult) and that opens up everything else. Using a different strong password for every account mitigates some of this risk.Less often mentioned, but equally important is using different and random usernames. Is your email address firstandlast@gmail.com? You’ve just given away an important piece of the puzzle to would-be attacker. The problem often is safely storing and remembering all of these account names and passwords - that’s where a password manager comes into play. Using LastPass (more convenient) or KeePass (more secure) can make the process a whole lot easier and secure. Two-Factor Authentication Nowadays you can often see a website offering (or requiring) you to enter a code from a text message in addition to your password. This is a form of two-factor authentication: an attacker job is made more difficult since he needs access to both your account name and password as well as your phone number. Unfortunately, phone numbers are often accessed by social engineers (who exploit human psychology) or accounts are simply hacked into, making this method not particularly secure. What I recommend instead is that you use Authy or Google Authenticator on your smartphone. This works in a similar way, but you need actual physical access to your device (as opposed to just the number) which significantly enhances your security. For even more security, you could purchase a YubiKey, which is a special piece of hardware dedicated entirely to two-factor authentication. Encrypted Communication Even though we rarely send long and heartfelt email anymore, there’s still a lot of important information that someone can gain from reading the emails that you send and receive. The same is true for instant messaging and phone calls.I encourage people who own an iOS to use Facetime Audio instead of calling and to use Signal (iOS and Android) for instant messaging - both of which are encrypted. Setting up email encryption used to be somewhat difficult, but tools such as Proton Mail offers end-to-end encrypted communication. You can also encrypt sensitive documents with a password using Adobe Acrobat Pro (Windows) or Preview (Mac). Don’t Trust Your Financial Advisor (or Your Bank) Just because someone is in the financial industry, it doesn’t mean that they take good care of your information. Bank accounts sometimes have worse-than-average security - make no difference and use the same tools and principles that you would with any other account.The same is true with financial advisors, accountants etc. Your information is not always stored appropriately - sometimes physical copies are kept that are not secured, sometimes administrative staff has access to digital documents, sometimes your information may be shared between financial advisors at the same firm.Make sure to compartmentalize information: think carefully if that person or organization really needs this or that particular piece of information, and try not give a complete picture whenever possible. This way, if there’s a breach at a particular firm, that information alone will not be enough to impersonate you or access your other accounts. Use Cash Whenever Possible Show me your bank statement, and I’ll tell you who you are. How much could I learn about you knowing where you shop, where you get your morning coffee, where you fill up your car, where you eat your lunch and what kind of shops you visit? All this information can paint quite an accurate picture of you - there’s no reason to offer it up on a silver plate.Use cash whenever you can - it’s not so hard to get used to (again). Maintaining Privacy in Online Payments with Burner Credit Cards Sometimes you can’t get around using a card - but by sharing your bank-issued credit/debit card details when making purchases, you are losing control over the transaction. Most of the time, everything stays win-win, but in contentious situations it’s often a problem if the merchant has all of your details. In addition, unauthorized spurious charges have been known to occur, sometimes in foreign countries, which drain your time and energy to deal with. Using services such as Privacy.com, SudoPay (connected with Apple Pay) and Blur you can create credit cards that work only for one transaction, or are used for only one merchant. This also means that you don’t have to use your real name or address when making these payments, protecting you from when (often inevitably) the merchant’s database gets compromised.In addition, you can also set up additional email addresses and phone numbers - this way, for instance, you can share one virtual number with friends and family, and another virtual one to important accounts, that way your accounts stay safe even if your actual phone number is compromised. Act Now The tools here are some of the lowest hanging fruit available to you right now to ensure that your assets and your information stay safe. I’ve gone into even more strategies with Justin in the podcast episode that this article was based on - including owning a car and a house as well maintaining a mailing address as privately as possible. You can find our discussion above this article, or in iTunes. I also wholeheartedly endorse Justin’s and Michael’s book on the subject, as well as their podcast. Proper prudent planning beats trying to fight the fires after the fact. Take the steps today to protect yourself so you aren’t caught off guard in the coming decade! I am available if you’d like to have a phone conversation on this subject. Here are all the resources mentioned in the podcast episode: Justin Carroll’s and Michael Bazzell’s podcast: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-complete-privacy-security-podcast/id1165843330?mt=2 Justin Carroll’s and Michael Bazzell’s book: https://www.yourultimatesecurity.guide/books.html Encrypted PDFs on Windows: https://acrobat.adobe.com/uk/en/acrobat/acrobat-pro.html Encrypted messenger: Signal Encrypted email: https://protonmail.com/ Password manager: http://keepass.info/ Password manager: https://www.lastpass.com/ Two-Factor Authentication: Google Authenticator Two-Factor Authentication: https://authy.com/ Two-Factor Authentication: https://www.yubico.com/products/yubikey-hardware/ Buying car privately with New Mexico LLC: https://jjluna.com/Resources-LLCs Defense against private investigators: JJ Luna How to Stay Invisible https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1250010454/ Secrets of Super Thief https://www.amazon.com/Secrets-Superthief-John-MacLean/dp/0425056457/ True Faith and Allegiance https://www.amazon.com/Clancy-True-Faith-Allegiance-Novel/dp/0399176810 Open Source Intelligence Techniques: https://inteltechniques.com/book1.html Credit Freeze: https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0497-credit-freeze-faqs Credit Freeze: https://radicalpersonalfinance.com/credit-score-management/ Virtual Credit Cards: https://privacy.com Virtual Credit Cards, Phone Numbers and Email Addresses: https://sudopay.com/ Virtual Credit Cards, Email Addresses: https://dnt.abine.com/

Here at the tiny house again, I am going to show the living room today. First I wanted to talk about what North Carolina did recently.  They passed a law that allowed parents to freeze their kids credit profile before they turn 18. In the past you really did not have the ability to freeze a child’s credit report until they were 18, officially, kids don’t have a credit profile.  North Carolina passes law to change that.  Now people who live in North Carolina can freeze their child’s credit report.  Child identity theft is the fasted growing demographic of identity theft. I am going to try do something about that here in Michigan. I think really all the states should pass a similar law, so I am going to work with my contacts to see what would take to get something like that moving along in Michigan. I think it’s a good move to freeze your credit report. There is a way to freeze your kids credit report before they turn 18.