It\u2019s almost the end of 2023, and we live in a world where access to personal and financial information has become increasingly reachable, and where threats to your security are more present than ever as hackers grow stronger alongside technology. Regardless of your income level and what you have saved, everyone should be aware of how identity theft can harm your finances and your credit, and everyone should have a baseline knowledge of how to keep your personal and financial information safe and secure.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you\u2019ve fallen victim to online predators and hackers, it\u2019s not too late to get a grasp on it and protect yourself, as well as recover from any harm done. Here are a few tips to get started:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Don\u2019t hesitate to take action as soon as you\u2019re aware of your accounts being compromised. First, check your credit report; Credit Karma is one free website where you can check your credit scores and history to see if there are any red flags. Then, contact credit bureaus, including Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion; you can request to have them put a free fraud alert on your file if you\u2019re concerned about potential harm. You can also request a security freeze if need be. After that, if you owe money to creditors or your credit union, contact them and keep them in the loop.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is a key step, because changing your passwords on a regular basis is one of the strongest ways to prevent identity theft. If you find yourself stuck on creating a strong password, here are a few helpful hints:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Even if you\u2019re on top of your personal and financial information on a regular basis, it\u2019s a good idea to brush up on those habits, and encourage them to your friends and family members. Make sure you\u2019re checking your banking statement as well as your credit card statement; you\u2019re more likely to take note of any fraudulent charges if you\u2019re up to date on it. One of the easiest ways Polam members keep on top of their credit and debit card history is with E-Statements, which ensures members receive their statements regularly through our online and mobile banking services.\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
It\u2019s almost the end of 2023, and we live in a world where access to personal and financial information has become increasingly reachable, and where threats to your security are more present than ever as hackers grow stronger alongside technology. Regardless of your income level and what you have saved, everyone should be aware of … <\/p>\n