YOUR MONEY
Defend Your Data
Best ways to avoid identity theft — and how to recover if you’re a victim. ::
BY JILL SCHILDHOUSE A
re you one of the 2.9 billion people whose Social Security number and other personal
financial data were compromised in the recent National Public Data breach?
Chances are, yes . . . but you likely
won’t even know you’re a victim until it’s too late. Massive data breaches aren’t a
new phenomenon. Remember the 2017 Equifax data breach that was estimated to have affected half the U.S. population? Or the 2013 Yahoo data breach, which exposed 3 billion user accounts? “The most common way that
identities are stolen is through breached data — the large troves of data that hackers drop on the dark web that can include any or all of your identifying information,” says Michael Bruemmer, vice president and head of Experian global data breach resolution and consumer protection. Alternatively, he says scammers
exploit personal information from social media or public records to
deceive individuals into revealing sensitive data by posing as trusted entities. The question is not if, but when
you’ll end up on the wrong side of a data breach or stolen identity. Here’s a guide on how to make
yourself whole again, should you end up in this situation.
TELLTALE SIGNS There are two obvious signs of identity theft. The first, according to Bruemmer, is unexpected charges on your credit card or bank accounts. The second is an influx of unsolicited marketing materials promoting new credit cards and
Prevent Theft Before It Happens I
dentity theft can occur in a multitude of ways. A data breach may
expose your information. A criminal could steal your wallet, cellphone, or mail. Or fraudsters could use email and texts to trick you
into providing personal information. “Using an unsecured
network for your Wi-Fi may allow thieves to join your network and access your data,” says Michael Bruemmer, vice
78 NEWSMAX MAXLIFE | SEPTEMBER 2025
lines of credit, says cybersecurity expert Theresa Payton, founder of Fortalice Solutions. Sometimes, the signs of unauthorized access to your personal information are more discreet, like noticing unfamiliar inquiries on your credit report, struggling to access your online accounts, or receiving unexpected notifications about password changes or account activities. That’s why it’s important to
regularly check your credit report with all three credit bureaus — Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion — so you can catch suspicious activity and get ahead of a fraudulent situation.
president and head of Experian global data breach resolution and consumer protection. “Additionally, social media has only gotten more popular and has become a valuable place for criminals to search for personal information.”
He recommends taking
the following seven steps to keep your information safe:
1
Password-protect everything you can, and
use a password manager to help create complicated passwords that are not easily guessable.
WOMAN/MILAN MARKOVIC©ISTOCK / LOCK/KRULUA©ISTOCK
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