Identity Protection Checklist

Written By Ryan Carter

Identity thieves can steal your money, open accounts, apply for new loans, open mobile contracts, rack up debt in your name, and plummet your credit score. Often there is little helpful recourse to recover any stolen money, and it can take up to a year of your time and energy to get your name cleared. Follow these best practices to help prevent identity theft from happening to you!

Register for Government Accounts

  • Create an ID.me login - As of 2025, this is the most secure way to log into the following accounts:

    • IRS.gov - See how much you owe the IRS, if anything, and your tax history

    • SSA.gov (Social Security Administration) - See what you’re eligible for in retirement/disability. If you’re a government worker like a teacher, because you get a pension, you won’t be eligible for Social Security unless you’ve worked for at least 10 years in a non-government role  

  • State Tax Portal - Most states have a version. Your portal allows you to file and pay state taxes, check refund statuses, view correspondence from the state, etc.

    • (IL) My Tax Illinois - If you do not live in Illinois, your state should have an equivalent

  • State Unemployment Portal - Even if you never have to file for unemployment, creating an account is a smart idea, as it prevents someone from fraudulently claiming in your name. Additionally, if you ever do need to file, having an existing account could help you get paid faster.

    • IDES (Illinois Dept of Employment Security) - If you do not live in Illinois, your state should have an equivalent.

 Protect Your Credit

  • Freeze your credit at all the major credit bureaus. This prevents anyone from taking out a loan in your name. You can unfreeze/refreeze at any time if your credit needs to be checked for things like renting a place or applying for a mortgage. This will not freeze your credit score or your credit cards, it just prevents any unauthorized person from using it. You can still use your credit cards. REMEMBER TO SAVE YOUR PINS.

    Go to each of these websites and freeze (Take screenshots of your freeze confirmations and PINs and save them in a secure folder like Google Drive or Dropbox)

    • Experian

    • Equifax

    • TransUnion

    • LexisNexis

    • ChexSystems

    • Innovis

    • NCTUE

  • Regularly check your credit score with a service like Credit Karma to make sure nothing unexpected is opened in your name and there are no mistakes. If you download the app, it updates your score every week and gives you alerts to know if your credit has been run.

  • Get a copy of your credit report for free once a year - You want to read through and verify that the information on your report is correct, and that there is no suspicious or fraudulent accounts. I get my reports from all 3 credit bureaus at once (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion), and download them and keep them in a secure folder on Google Drive or Dropbox. Some people recommend getting just one of the reports every 4 months to monitor throughout the year instead.

Practice Good Password Security

  • Enable two-factor authentication on your accounts that offer it, like email, Facebook, and your bank accounts. Some will text or email you a code, or for increased security, download an authenticator app from the app store in your iPhone. Microsoft and Google are well known.

  • Use a password keeper app, like the one that comes on the iPhone or download something like 1Password. This helps you create strong varied passwords as well as store them in a safe place rather than a notebook. Don’t use the same password for everything!

  • Change your Gmail password at least once a year

  • Lock any credit cards you aren't using but are keeping open to support your credit score (you can do this on your bank app)

Update Your Devices

  • Regularly check for updates and install any available across your devices. This includes:

    • Operating Systems (like when Apple says there’s a new version ready to install)

    • Web Browsers

    • Applications

Enhanced Protections

  • Enable SIM Protection with your phone carrier. This prevents anyone from transferring your phone number, and all your information, to a new device in their possession.

  • Set up Verbal Passwords or PINs with your banking institutions.

  • Request Tracking information when you get a new debit or credit card in the mail. If it’s not delivered when it says it is, cancel the card and request a new one.

  • Create a Limited Funds account - If you use payment apps like Zelle, Venmo, PayPal, etc., link them to an account that has limited funds rather than your main account.

  • Banking Email - You can create an email address that you use ONLY with your banking institutions to limit exposure to data breaches **consider if you want extra security

  • Get an IP PIN from the IRS - This is a 6-digit code that prevents anyone from filing a tax return in your name, even if they have your SSN. You cannot opt out once you start, and you MUST use it when filing, so don’t lose it!

  • VPN - Use a VPN when connecting to public wifi. This creates a secure, encrypted connection between your device and the internet. Providers include ProtonVPN, NordVPN, and SurfShark. There are associated costs with each.

Ryan Carter
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