Emergency Preparedness Committee: Online Safety

Our BIG priority for June: BE SAFE! Kids out of school, vacation travel, hot sun, beach and ocean fun. So think, SLOW DOWN, use sunscreen, practice water safety. Have FUN, but be vigilant.
Last month we talked about ever increasing Identity Fraud and some safeguards as preventative measures. How about ways to protect your online accounts? As we spend more of out lives digitally connected, we end up creating a bunch of different online accounts. In fact, the average person in the U.S. has as many as 150 online accounts that need passwords—business related, financial, shopping, airlines, vacations, medical and health, social media, music and entertainment— the list goes on.
With vulnerabilities abounding online, protecting your accounts from hacking and identity theft is no longer something to avoid. It is a necessity.
Manage Passwords
To manage your passwords responsibly, follow these tips:
■ Aim to use 10-12 characters.
■ Combine numbers, symbols, and capital letters within the middle of your password, not the end
■ Create new passwords for different accounts.
■ Avoid using easily guessed words such as dates, family names, or pet names.
■ Protect Online Transactions
■ Protect online transactions by doing the following:
■ Update your operating software to remove security vulnerabilities.
■ Shop on encrypted websites that protect your information through “https” URLs.
■ Never use public internet access, which is easy to hack, to make financial transactions.
■ Avoid unsolicited offers that prompt you to act fast for a deal.
Secure Your Social Security Numbers
A Social Security number [SSN] is an individual’s unique government issued ID. Since SSN’s creation in 1936, the number has become the go-to personal identifier used by many companies and organizations. As a result, it is also now a key target for people trying to steal someone’s identity.
Once someone has your SSN, the ability to do real harm to your financial life compounds.
Here are ways you can secure your Social Security number and safeguard you credit:
■ DO NOT carry your Social Security card in your wallet. Memorize the number and put the original card in a SAFE place.
■ Report concerns about a compromised Social Security number by calling the Social Security Administration fraud line at 1-877-IDTHEFT or 1 (877) 438-4338. For deaf and hard of hearing callers, call 1 (866) 653-4261.
■ NEVER give your Social Security number by phone or online, unless you initiate the call and know the number is legitimate and the site is valid.
Unfortunately I’ve just scratched the surface on the areas we can all be compromised by the bad guys. They are very sophisticated and have no remorse or second thoughts on taking every last cent you have if they can get away with it. Be on guard.
Next month: MANAGING YOUR CREDIT CARDS.
—Kent Wellbrock