Spotlight on Cyber-Security and Identity Safety

Ahh, that time of year is once again upon us: The pumpkins are out, cider’s a-brewing, leaves are falling from the trees. It’s also National Cybersecurity Awareness Month and National Protect Your Identity Week.

As for the latter, if you’re not sure whether that’s cause for anxiety or celebration, this quiz developed by the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC) should give a better idea of where on the identity safety continuum you stand.

Why devote a week to identity safety? For starters, experience has taught us that mitigating the risks of identity theft starts with consumer awareness. And taking a week to evaluate and improve your identity-related habits is a drop in the bucket compared to the months or even years it can take to resolve an especially messy identity theft situation (the ramifications of especially complex cases can extend well beyond credit card fraud, and into mortgages, auto loans, IRS filings, medical bills and more).

If you’re new to identity theft-related issues (or even if you think you’re well read on the subject), check out some of the links on our site on the ins and outs of identity theft, how to mitigate your risk of becoming a victim, and how to resolve your identity theft issues.

Identity theft has been the top consumer complaint to the FTC for the past five years in a row, and the crime is showing no signs of letting up.
While you’re at it, you also may want to drop by the Department of Homeland Security’s web site. In conjunction with National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, the DHS is sharing tips on how consumers can stay safe online and contribute to online safety in their communities—volunteering to teach short courses to elementary, middle and high school students, for example. 

No time is better than now for taking charge of one of the most sensitive and, to an identity thief, potentially most valuable of your assets.  Spread the word and share this information with friends and loved ones, too.  While you should take this week, or this month, as an opportunity to give your knowledge and habits a tune-up, protecting yourself is not just a seasonal task, it’s a daily endeavor.