How to prevent possible identity theft?
March 2, 2012 11:17 AM Subscribe
I might have foolishly entered sensitive info in a place I shouldn't. What can I do to minimize possible damage?
I was doing online banking. I entered my account info and login. There was then a pop up saying there was a new security feature and prompted me to enter sensitive info. Seeing that it was after login, I foolishly entered some of those info. Stupid of me! :(
Now on my bank's front page, there was a scam alert. Damage is already done.
I have checked my credit report just now and I will enroll in credit monitoring. Any advice on which one? I'm looking at Triple Alert Credit Monitoring via Experian.
Anything else that I should do?
I was doing online banking. I entered my account info and login. There was then a pop up saying there was a new security feature and prompted me to enter sensitive info. Seeing that it was after login, I foolishly entered some of those info. Stupid of me! :(
Now on my bank's front page, there was a scam alert. Damage is already done.
I have checked my credit report just now and I will enroll in credit monitoring. Any advice on which one? I'm looking at Triple Alert Credit Monitoring via Experian.
Anything else that I should do?
Call the bank right now and tell them about it. It's possible that the popup was legit (my bank has done things on its site that look sketchy).
posted by Johnny Wallflower at 11:26 AM on March 2, 2012
posted by Johnny Wallflower at 11:26 AM on March 2, 2012
Change your online banking password, and contact your bank's customer service department and tell them you might have fallen victim to a scam and that they should watch out for suspicious activity.
posted by xbonesgt at 11:26 AM on March 2, 2012
posted by xbonesgt at 11:26 AM on March 2, 2012
Call your bank, update your antivirus software, and run a complete virus scan on your computer. These pop-ups are usually due to viruses/malware existing on your computer.
Please be sure to uninstall and reinstall your antivirus software before performing the scan, so you have a fresh, uncorrupted install.
posted by Verdandi at 1:10 PM on March 2, 2012
Please be sure to uninstall and reinstall your antivirus software before performing the scan, so you have a fresh, uncorrupted install.
posted by Verdandi at 1:10 PM on March 2, 2012
Don't forget to change your other (non-bank) passwords if they are the same or similar.
posted by beyond_pink at 1:54 PM on March 2, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by beyond_pink at 1:54 PM on March 2, 2012 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: Thank you guys.
Doing all of those now.
FTC also has a website and step by step directions.
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft/
Summary:
1. Place a fraud alert in your credit reporting company
2. Order Credit Reports and/or credit freeze
3. Create Identity Theft Report
4. Regular checks of the reports.
posted by 7life at 2:21 PM on March 2, 2012
Doing all of those now.
FTC also has a website and step by step directions.
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft/
Summary:
1. Place a fraud alert in your credit reporting company
2. Order Credit Reports and/or credit freeze
3. Create Identity Theft Report
4. Regular checks of the reports.
posted by 7life at 2:21 PM on March 2, 2012
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by kindall at 11:25 AM on March 2, 2012 [2 favorites]