I'm sure by now you've heard about the breach of Equifax. Millions of people have potentially had their personal information leaked which can include everything from your name, address and social security number. You can check to see if you may have been effected here Equifax
In real estate, there is a lot of personal information needed to get a loan, sell your home, and even rent. So it's always a good idea to proactively protect yourself as much as possible even if you weren't effected by the Equifax breach. Here are some ways you can do that.
1. Create an online account with the Social Security Administration.
Most people don't think to do this until you near the age of retirement but with all your information possibly out there in someone else's hands, it's best to go ahead and do this before someone else does it in your name. Here is the website or you can google it on your own. Social Security Administration
2. Run a yearly credit check
It's always good to check your credit once a year. Not only for knowing if any fraud has happened with your credit but also just for any mistakes that might be on there. There are many credit card, banks and other companies that provide this service for their customers to check your score. There are also services online that can run your credit score for free but it's best to get the full credit report when looking for potential errors.
3. Freeze your credit
When you freeze your credit it prevents anyone from being able to check your credit which also prevents anyone from opening up any accounts such a, credit card, in your name. You have to freeze it with all three and then unfreeze it when you need to use your credit for things applications to rent or getting loans. Here are the websites for each credit bureau.
Equifax Security Freeze Transunion Credit Lock
4. Freeze your children's credit too
People often forget their babies can be at risk for social security fraud too. And no one would be the wiser if anyone was using your children's social security number until they apply for their first line of credit or move out of home around 18 years old. So don't forget to monitor and/or freeze their's as well.
5. Monitor your taxes online
CPA's and tax accountants legally have to check your ID now when you go to have your taxes done because this is such a large problem these days. Having someone file a tax return in your name is more common than you think. You can monitor payouts and your tax history at this website IRS
