New Beginnings Part One
Times of transition – think: getting married, having a baby, moving into a new home, even getting divorced – are noted for being exciting and daunting, energizing and exhausting. They can make us stressed-out and blissed-out simultaneously. But did you know they also change (and sometimes increase) your risk of falling prey to identity fraud?
Truth be told, neither did I. But some surprising new research conducted by Forrester Consulting on behalf of LifeLock shows that’s exactly what happens. By understanding how these life shifts impact your vulnerability, you also give yourself the opportunity to mount a good offense during these transitional times. Here, the highlights of the research and what you should do next.
Newlyweds
Risk of ID Theft Up: 800%
Why:
The average age of a bride in the US is 29; for a groom it’s 31. That puts them right on the line between Gen Xers and Millennials. The younger you are, the more likely you are to conduct a good portion of your life online, but because of the steps they’re taking to sync up their lives, newlyweds are out there more than most.
What to do:
- Transact at home. Much of that registry-checking looks like it’s being done in public places; 63% of them access the internet over public wireless networks and 26% are not using anti-virus software or a firewall to protect themselves. You’re much safer from the comfort of your own network.
- Watch the medical data. Medical id theft is a growing problem. And newlyweds, perhaps because one is adding the other to the better health plan or because they’re likely to use online healthcare management services, are more likely to fall prey. Regularly check your credit report to be sure medical debts belong to you.
- Stop oversharing. There is a tendency to want to share the joy in your life, possibly at the expense of your online safety. Newlyweds are more connected to people online than the average adult online population, and 55% use geo-location services. (The research showed that individuals who use location-sharing services are five times more likely to be victims of id theft.) Keeping everyone in your network up to date on where you are creates even more risk. (And by all means, delete those old dating profiles, 30% of newlyweds still have at least one out there!)
New Parent
Risk of ID Theft Up: 500%
Why:
When was the last time someone you know shared a sonogram photo online? Not all that long ago, right? On average, according to a Huffington Post Poll, it takes less than an hour for the first photo of a newborn to be posted on social media. That’s wonderful and scary at the same time. Similarly, new parents are more likely to make connections on multiple devices – and more devices equals more risk. A person with, say, a smartphone, tablet and a laptop, is 46% more likely to be a victim than a person who has a smartphone alone.
What to do:
- Protect your baby’s SSN as if it was your own. You’ve likely been trained not to give out your own Social Security number unless it’s absolutely necessary. Do the same with your baby’s. Child id theft is a growing problem in the US, and can cause issues for your offspring down the road. Every year try to pull a credit report on your child at annualcreditreport.com. The very fact that one exists could indicate a breach.
- Slow down. I was once a new parent and understand the desire to just get it down (whatever it is) so that you can grab some shuteye. When that task happens to be online shopping, and you’re rushing through the purchase to the degree that you don’t notice you’re operating on an insecure site — it can be a problem. Take your time.
