facebook twitter instagram linkedin google youtube vimeo tumblr yelp rss email podcast phone blog external search brokercheck brokercheck Play Pause
Military Finances 101: Identity Theft Thumbnail

Military Finances 101: Identity Theft

Managing Your Finances

I know you get plenty of Cyber-Security training while on Active Duty. I remember how thrilling it was to do Cyber training. With that said, what we learn on Active Duty doesn't always translate to our civilian life. And since December is Identity Theft Protection Awareness Month, we’re taking this month to share some ways you can help keep your identity safe just in case you forgot what you learned on those great CBITs.

In 2019, 14.4 million people were victims of identity theft.1 Identity theft can happen in a number of ways: in-person, online, over email or on the phone. However, it occurs, identity theft affects a large number of people per year.

Let’s learn about how you can protect your identity and sensitive information online and in-person. 

Tip #1: Don’t Assume Your Identity Will Never Get Stolen

No matter how careful you are with your personal information, never assume that you are immune to identity theft. According to a recent report, 47% of Americans experienced financial identity theft in 2020.2 That’s nearly half of all adults, and that only includes the cases of identity theft that were properly reported. There could be other cases that were either never reported or never even discovered. 

There is so much data in today’s world that it’s impossible to keep yourself completely safe, but by understanding the risk of fraud, you can grasp how important it is to follow these and other cybersecurity tips. 

Tip #2: Use a VPN When Using Wi-Fi to Increase Data Protection

A virtual private network (or VPN) can help keep you safe when you’re browsing the web on Wi-Fi. A VPN creates an encrypted connection between your computer and the VPN server, meaning that all your internet usage is routed through this connection. Most VPN servers actually have multiple layers of encryption to help keep you and your information safe. Signing up for a VPN is easy and you can set one up on both your mobile device and your computer. Check out these comprehensive instructions from The Verge, a popular technology publication. 

VPNs also mask your IP address (which indicates where you are located and provides information about your computer) and personal information. 

Tip #3: Don’t Share Your Passwords or Use the Same Password for Multiple Sites

Hopefully this tip is common sense, but don’t share your passwords with others, especially people you don’t know. If you do need to share your password, use a password management site like Keeper or LastPass that allows you to share a record with someone without showing them the actual password. Or change your password right after sharing it with someone. 

In addition to not sharing your password with others, don’t use the same password for multiple sites, especially if it contains identifying information such as your address, children’s names or pet names, etc. 

A strong password is long, contains a mix of upper- and lowercase letters, contains numbers and symbols, has no ties to your personal information, and doesn’t contain any dictionary words. 

Tip #4: Sign Up for 2-Factor Authentication

In addition to creating a strong password, always sign up for two-factor authentication when possible. Two-factor authentication (or 2FA) is an extra layer of protection for your login info. It usually requires you to sign in with your password and then use a second method to verify it’s you. For example, Google can send a unique code to your phone number or backup email address to confirm it’s really you trying to sign in. 

Tip #5: Be Careful About How Much Personal Information You Share on Social Media

In today’s world of posting everything from pictures of your grandkids to what you had for lunch on social media, it’s important to be aware of what personal information you are sharing online. Hackers can easily get information from your Facebook or Instagram profile and use it to hack into your other accounts. Never share your address, phone number, photos of personal IDs (passport, driver’s license, birth certificate, etc.) or full date of birth on social media.

We live in a very connected world, and it’s more important than ever to protect your information and your family’s information. Staying safe online and practicing these tips will help prevent you from falling victim to increasing identity theft scams.

If you found this article useful, you might like the following blog posts:

Military Finances 101: Virtual Spending. Which Payment App Is Right For You?


May 6 Is World Password Day. Here Are 6 Tools to Safely Store Your Passwords Online


Military Finances 101: A Guide to Identity Theft Insurance



  1. https://www.iii.org/fact-statistic/facts-statistics-identity-theft-and-cybercrime
  2. https://www.giact.com/aite-report-us-identity-theft-the-stark-reality/

This content is developed from sources believed to be providing accurate information, and provided by Twenty Over Ten. It may not be used for the purpose of avoiding any federal tax penalties. Please consult legal or tax professionals for specific information regarding your individual situation. The opinions expressed and material provided are for general information, and should not be considered a solicitation for the purchase or sale of any security.


Disclaimer
Please remember that past performance may not be indicative of future results. Different types of investments involve varying degrees of risk, and there can be no assurance that the future performance of any specific investment, investment strategy, or product (including the investments and/or investment strategies recommended or undertaken by C.L. Sheldon & Company, LLC ), or any non-investment related content, made reference to directly or indirectly in this blog will be profitable, equal any corresponding indicated historical performance level(s), be suitable for your portfolio or individual situation, or prove successful. Due to various factors, including changing market conditions and/or applicable laws, the content may no longer be reflective of current opinions or positions. C.L. Sheldon & Company, LLC does not make any representations or warranties as to the accuracy, timeliness, suitability, completeness, or relevance of any information prepared by any unaffiliated third party, whether linked to C.L. Sheldon & Company, LLC website or incorporated herein, and C.L. Sheldon & Company, LLC takes no responsibility therefore. All such information is provided solely for convenience, educational, and informational purposes only and all users thereof should be guided accordingly. Moreover, you should not assume that any discussion or information contained in this blog serves as the receipt of, or as a substitute for, personalized investment advice from C.L. Sheldon & Company, LLC . To the extent that a reader has any questions regarding the applicability of any specific issue discussed above to his/her individual situation, he/she is encouraged to consult with the professional advisor of his/her choosing. C.L. Sheldon & Company, LLC is neither a law firm nor a certified public accounting firm and no portion of the blog content should be construed as legal or accounting advice. A copy of the C.L. Sheldon & Company, LLC ’s current written disclosure statement discussing our advisory services and fees is available for review upon request. DISCLAIMER OF TAX ADVICE: Any discussion contained herein cannot be considered to be tax advice. Actual tax advice would require a detailed and careful analysis of the facts and applicable law, which we expect would be time consuming and costly. We have not made and have not been asked to make that type of analysis in connection with any advice given in this blog post. As a result, we are required to advise you that any Federal tax advice rendered in this blog is not intended or written to be used and cannot be used for the purpose of avoiding penalties that may be imposed by the IRS. In the event you would like us to perform the type of analysis that is necessary for us to provide an opinion, that does not require the above disclaimer, as always, please feel free to contact us.