Credit Security

1. Lock personal credit for all three major agencies, and only open for 24 hours, when applying for a loan.
   1. Equifax
   2. Experian
   3. TranUnion
2. Use a PIN for your tax return.
   1. This can be obtained if there’s ever been an identity theft situation.
3. Pay a credit monitoring service, if there’s ever been a breach of identity.
   1. NOTE: Many credit card companies provide notifications for credit bureau change as a free service.

Internet Security

1. Turn on MFA (Multi Factor Auth) / 2FA (Two Factor Auth) for all sites with an account, especially any with financial information or social media accounts.
   1. NOTE #1: Use an authenticator app on your phone for the 2nd factor and avoid using texts as much as possible, since texts can be spoofed.
   2. NOTE: #2: If logging into a site and not being requested for a code in addition to the password, this is not a safe site.
2. Use randomized passwords for all sites with a password manager like LastPass, etc.
   1. NOTE: Never use the same password twice!
3. Do not save passwords in your browser.
4. Do not write down passwords.
   1. NOTE: Writing down clues to help remember is fine, but never the full password. Also, there should be only one password, and that’s for the password manager.
5. DO NOT call phone numbers out of emails, texts or other situations where a number has been sent to you.
   1. NOTE: Only call phone numbers from Web sites that have been fully vetted by yourself that you directly opened and not from something sent to you.
6. DO NOT accept phone calls from anyone you aren’t expecting.
   1. NOTE: Let them leave a message and verify the number before calling back.
7. During any call for other reasons: If there is even a shred of doubt about someone on a call, ask for proof of who they are in the form of something you have specified, not something they have specified.
8. Install a decent virus software protection for all Windows computers.
9. Assume all emails sent to you from someone not in your contacts is malicious and approach with caution.

Internet Purchases

1. Never use a debit card or bank account for purchasing anything on the Internet.
2. For Internet purchases, use PayPal, Amazon Pay or Google Pay with a credit card backing it.
3. For any other Internet purchases that don’t accept PayPal, Amazon Pay or Google Pay, use a credit card.
   1. NOTE #1: Do not save your credit card information on the site.
   2. NOTE #2: Use virtual cards if your card company allows it.
4. Enable phone alerts for all credit card and bank accounts – often in the phone apps or web site.
   1. NOTE #1: Set a phone alert or text for all purchases over $1.
   2. NOTE #2: Set a phone alert or text for any international purchase.