The rise of digital technology has sparked a massive wave of online fraud against individuals living in the United States. As a result, it has become increasingly important to protect your credit records and identity from malicious actors. Credit checks and credit reports serve as the foundation of an individual’s credit score and can be used to open up certain lines of finances. As such, they are both incredibly valuable and extremely vulnerable to theft and misuse. In this blog, we will provide some tips for keeping your credit records safe and secure from harm.

What’s in Your Credit Report?

Your credit report is a comprehensive summary of your credit history, compiled and maintained by credit reporting agencies such as Transunion, Experian, and Equifax. The report includes key information such as the names and addresses of lenders, balances and limits of credit cards and loans, and the status of payments of each loan. It also includes public records such as bankruptcy filings, civil judgments, and tax liens.

Check Your Credit Report Regularly

The best way to make sure no one is misusing your credit is to keep a close eye on it. The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) allows you to request a free copy of your report from each of the three credit reporting agencies once every 12 months.

Monitor Your Credit Activity

In addition to acquiring a copy of your credit report, you should also monitor your credit activity for suspicious activity. Credit monitoring services provide customers with real-time notifications of any changes to your credit. Notifications may include new accounts, inquiries and address changes. If you become aware of any suspicious activity on your credit report, take swift action to alert the credit reporting agency and your lender, and inquire about the activity.

Secure Your Credit Cards

Never leave your credit cards unattended in public and take care to protect the numbers. When entering payment information online, make sure the website is secure with encryption. Also make use of two-factor authentication services like those offered by Google Authenticator or Microsoft Authenticator. With two-factor authentication, users must confirm their identity through a second layer of security, such as a security code sent via text.

Protect Your Personal Data

One of the most effective ways to prevent your credit from being compromised is to keep your personal data secure. Never write down usernames or passwords, and never keep them in an easily accessible place. Use strong passwords that are at least eight characters long, and use a combination of letters, numbers and symbols. When setting up passwords and PINs, avoid using easily guessed information such as your date of birth or social security number.

Sign Up for Fraud Alerts

Fraud alerts can help protect your credit from misuse and identify potential attempts to open new accounts in your name. You can place fraud alerts through your credit report, which notifies all three credit reporting agencies of potential fraudulent activity. Additionally, victims of identity theft may choose to place a credit freeze, which prohibits creditors from accessing credit reports without permission.

The security of your credit records and identity is of paramount importance. By following the tips listed in this blog, you can improve your credit safety and protect yourself from potential fraud. With these measures in place, you can rest assured that your credit will remain secure.