If you're inclined to take advantage of sales this year, with the holiday shopping season starting early, 'tis the season to be extra vigilant about your personal information.
More than 91% of U.S. adults have put their personal data at risk at some time this year, according to a new report from Bankrate.com.
Don’t Make These 5 Money Security Mistakes
The report, which was commissioned by Bankrate.com and administered by research data and analytics group YouGov, explains what some of those security mistakes are.
1. Re-Using Your Passwords Online
"Although there have been issues with some password managers, they're still better than using the same password on multiple accounts," he says.
2. Saving Your Payment Information Online
- It could open you up to hackers: Any data you store online is, at least in some way, vulnerable, and hackers are developing new ways all the time to access people's data.
- It may make impulse shopping that much easier: This isn't so much about security as it is about overspending. The convenience of one-click shopping can be a temptation too great to resist.
3. Using Public Wi-Fi
4. Not Shredding Your Discarded Mail
The truth is that not shredding your discarded mail could lead to identity theft (thieves can snoop through your trash).
Before you shred those papers, make sure they don't contain any timely correspondence or sensitive documents that you actually need to keep.
5. Posting Your Birth Date on Social Media
Final Thoughts
Once crooks steal your personal information, not only can they cause big financial hassles, those problems can negatively affect your credit score. That's why Clark strongly suggests that you freeze your credit so that crooks can't exploit it when the worst happens.
Want to know more about proactive steps you can take to protect yourself online? Here's how to safeguard your identity on the internet.
More Resources From Clark.com:
- Why You Should Never Use a Debit Card to Pay for Anything
- 4 Free and Cheap Tools to Safely Manage Your Passwords
- Online Shopping Guide: How to Get the Best Price Possible
The post 5 Money Security Mistakes Americans Are Making in 2020 appeared first on Clark Howard.