As the new year is off and rolling and tax season is here, it?s also a good time to consider how secure your personal information is. It?s likely, according to AARP, your personal information has been stolen. Many entities have your personal information ? credit card and bank account numbers, Social Security numbers, and health-related information ? and data breaches have exposed it. AARP Oklahoma State Director Sean Voskuhl offered a few tips to keep your information secure.
?The best thing you can do is place a security freeze on you credit accounts with the three big credit reporting agencies so no one can open a new account in your name,? Voskuhl said. ?Also, sign up for online access to your accounts and monitor them regularly. And be sure to use unique password for every account. You might want to consider using a password manager.?
On top of that, scammers are becoming more creative in finding ways to get to your personal information.
?Scammers are working extra hard to get your information,? Voskuhl said. ?They?re using text, email and phone scams to contact you, and even job listings. Job sites are filling up with work-from-home scams offering opportunities that really are too good to be true. If they seek personal information like your social security number before you are hired, that?s a big red flag.?
Additionally, phone companies are retiring the 3G cellular networks that debuted in 2002, which can be a bigger issue for rural areas. Voskuhl says make sure you have an up-to-date cell phone, or you?ll lose service.
?Network providers are shutting off 3G networks as early as February 22 in favor of newer technology, as 4G and 5G networks are the new norm,? Voskuhl said. ?Millions of people, including many older adults, still rely on phones and other devices that tap into 3G. Make sure you have an up-to-date phone before your network switches. Your phone will no longer work and won?t be able to make emergency calls.?
To learn more, visit aarp.org.
