5 Ways to Better Protect Your Social Media Accounts from Identity Theft

Highlights:

• Social media identity theft is becoming a very common issue.
• Be cautious about what you post online. Don't reveal sensitive details such as your date of birth and home address.
• With careful online behavior, you can still use social media platforms without worry.

When social media was first created, it was a way to connect with your friends and family. But as it has evolved, fraudsters began to use social media to gain information on you. When you share anything on social media, you intend to share your life with friends and family. But cybercriminals could also be part of your audience. They may lurk your profile to gather sensitive information and steal your identity.

What are the dangers of social media?

Social media platforms are becoming more integrated into our lives. We want to post everything about our lives for all to see. With the rise in social media usage, social media identity theft is becoming more common. Scammers may use your name and photos to create fake profiles. They can then use it to scam other people for money. Cyberthieves may also hack into your account and use your profile to spread hate speech. They can also post embarrassing messages, distribute spam or post spam links.

You could also share personal details that criminals use to steal your identity. It may seem obvious not to share your Social Security number or credit card numbers online. But other images and information can be as revealing. Posting a job offer or college acceptance letter can reveal personal information. This could include your full name, home address and phone number. Identity thieves can use this to hack into your financial accounts.

How can you ensure social media privacy and safety?

There are no surefire ways to avoid identity theft on social media platforms. But, there are certain ways to help better protect your personal information.

• Focus on privacy. Be cautious about what you post online. Don't reveal sensitive details such as your date of birth and home address. Also, make sure to check your privacy settings for each of your social media accounts. Keep your accounts private so only people you know can see your posts and other information.
• Use strong passwords. Passwords shouldn't be easy to remember or guess. Create complex passwords that are over 15 characters long for all accounts. For extra security, activate multi-factor authentication (also known as two-step verification). You receive a code to your mobile phone or email address anytime someone tries to log into your account.
• Be careful whom you accept friend requests from. Only accept friend requests from people you know. Avoid responding to messages or clicking on links sent by people you don't know.
• Watch out for phishing. Scammers may send you fraudulent emails (known as phishing). They may pose as staff from social media platforms. They may claim that someone hacked your account or that you need to change your password. Phishing attempts will ask you to click on a link and enter your login credentials. Scammers then use this information to access your accounts.
• Don't share confidential information online. Never send payment or personal identification details over social media. This can include credit card information, Social Security numbers, or your identification documents. It's never safe, even if you're messaging someone you know, such as a close friend or family member.

What else can you do to protect yourself from identity theft on social media?

Here are some other best practices to consider.

• Search yourself using a search engine. This helps you to see if any fake profiles come up. If you see a profile with your name or photo that you didn't create, alert the social media platform immediately. This likely means that someone is impersonating you.
• Change your passwords often. This helps to ensure that your accounts are secure. Use a password manager to help you generate and keep track of complex passwords. You can download a password manager app for free or pay for a more robust option.
• Consider posting a few days after your vacation. Sharing your trip with your followers in real time may be exciting. But, this also alerts burglars that you're away from home. Posting about your vacation after you've returned can help reduce this risk.

How can Equifax^® help you protect your identity on social media?

It's important to check your credit reports often. Be sure to look for information you don't recognize, such as accounts opened in your name. If you find accounts or balances you don't recognize, it could be a sign of identity theft. With Equifax Complete™ Premier, you can track changes to your Equifax credit report. You can also receive alerts if your personal information is at risk of being on the dark web. By taking steps to protect yourself, you can use your social media accounts without worry.