5 Tips to Stay Safe in Today's Digital World

In today's digital world, it's important to ensure that your personal information stays secure. With the increasing frequency of data breaches, it's important to take proactive steps to protect yourself from fraud and identity theft. Here are five valuable tips to keep your information safe from cybercriminals:

1. Check the dark web for your information. The dark web is a hidden network used for illegal activities, including the sale of stolen data. Use an identity theft protection or credit protection service that offers a dark web scan to see if any of your personal information is at risk. If your personal information is found, the service will recommend or may even assist you with resolving any issues.
   
   
2. Review your credit report regularly. Each year, you can obtain a free credit report from each of the three major credit bureaus. Visit annualcreditreport.com to check for any suspicious activity or unauthorized transactions. If you find erroneous information, work with your identity theft protection provider and the credit bureau to rectify the situation. Don't forget to also request a credit report for minor children to ensure their identity hasn’t been stolen.
   
   
3. Monitor your accounts frequently. With online and mobile banking, keeping an eye on your transaction history is quick and easy. It is recommended to log in at least once a week to check for any unusual activity. You can also set up account alerts that will notify you via text message of transactions as they come through. If you notice anything suspicious or suspect unauthorized access, notify your financial institution immediately.
   
   
4. Be cautious with your personal information on social networks. Limit the information you share on social media platforms. Avoid divulging sensitive details like your age, date of birth, and other personally identifiable information when filling out profiles. Only provide necessary information and restrict the amount of personal information you share online.
   
   
5. Use strong, unique passwords. Create a different password for each website you use, ensuring it is a combination of letters, numbers and symbols. Consider using a password manager, such as 1Password or BitWarden, to generate and store your passwords securely.

By following these best practices, you can help protect yourself from fraud and identity theft. Please note, Pacific Service Credit Union will never request your personal or account information by email, text or phone. If you suspect you’ve been a victim of fraud, please call a member service representative immediately at (888) 858-6878.