Which of the following is NOT a recommended method to protect you from identity theft?

Which of the following is NOT a recommended method to protect you from identity theft?

A. Expensive Specialty locking or monitoring service

B. Regularly Monitoring your credit report

C. Contacting lenders and credit bureaus to report inaccurate information

D. Place a credit freeze with the credit bureaus

Answer: A. Expensive Specialty locking or monitoring service

This option is not advisable as a major defence strategy against identity theft. Thus, even though they presuppose certain benefits, such services are typically expensive and do not guarantee higher effectiveness compared to the range of actions an individual can adopt independently and at no cost.

That is why it is important to know about several simple yet efficient means of preventing identity theft that would not cost a lot of money for a client. Such practices entail daily checkups of personal financial statements, and credit reports to enable identification of credit fraud in the early stages. Locking personal papers in a safe or in a file that is easily locked is another measure that may be adopted at the workplace.

In cyberspace, measures such as changing passwords and use of complicated passwords in all accounts, using two-factor authentication where provided, and being weary of unsolicited communication are important steps not to be overlooked. These practices greatly increase the level of protection against identity theft without new expenses.

There are, of course, typical threats that people should remember: giving too much information about themselves on social media, following suspicious links, and using free Wi-Fi to buy something online. These activities, thus, should be kept off to minimize the chances of developing into an identity theft victim.

The freedom to choose a paid service implies that extra capabilities may be provided at the same time; however, identity protection is still the user’s duty. Through the use of such workable, easy-to-obtain steps and trends which put attention on anticipated dangers, most individuals can adequately protect their data without having to pay for such specialized services.