How To Protect Your Cell Phone Accounts From Hackers

How To Protect Your Cell Phone Account From Hackers

Easy to do, a cybercriminal contacts your cell phone provider to open a “new account” in your name. Your address, phone number, and birthday already exist online, and a criminal may have enough information to convince a cell phone provider that he is legitimate.

Theft of your existing cell phone number can be the first step in a cybercriminal gaining unauthorized access to your bank and credit card accounts or applying for additional credit cards. The two-factor authentication security procedure, in which a verification code is transmitted via email or text message, is rendered ineffective because the thief can “authenticate” using their own phone.

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How To Protect Your Cell Phone Accounts From Hackers

1. Block Your Credit  Information

Before starting an account, cell phone companies do not perform credit checks through the major credit bureaus. They may instead utilize the National Consumer Telecom & Utilities Exchange (NCTUE). Freeze their access to your information so that it cannot be accessed. While you’re doing it, you should also freeze your credit information with the three major bureaus — TransUnion, Equifax, and Experian — in the event that a criminal gains access to your cell phone account and attempts to obtain a credit card in your name.

2. Safeguard Your PIN

Ensure that your cell phone account has a PIN and that you are the only one who knows it. As with other passwords, it should be changed frequently, at least annually. Change your PIN promptly if your cell phone carrier encounters or has experienced a data breach. Even if there was a breach with a different account, you should still update your PIN because you never know what additional information criminals may have acquired.

3. Examine Your Cellular Phone Bills

It is simple to pay your cell phone bill with a single click or by setting up an automatic payment. However, it is prudent to thoroughly analyze your cell phone bill as well as your credit card and bank statements. Always be vigilant for improper or suspicious behavior.

4. Use A USB Security Key

A USB security key provides two-factor authentication for your PC and mobile device. The second factor is the physical key, which provides a better level of protection than SMS or email verification codes.

5. Adopt These Cybersecurity Habits

Shaffer suggests these tips to help curb cybercrime in general.

6. Watch For Phishing Emails

Be wary of any email — even if it’s from a reputable company — that asks you to visit their website via an embedded link. Do not open the email (or any attachments) or submit any information from the email address. Always visit the site directly.

7. Know The Companies You Do Business With

If you receive a phone call from your computer provider informing you that your cloud account has been compromised, it is likely a hoax. These calls are presumably an effort at phishing, sometimes called as “vishing” when conducted over the phone. Although credit card issuers may contact you to report suspicious activity, the vast majority of businesses will not. In any case, confirm via the company’s official phone line.

8. Use Identity Theft Protection Service

If your data has been compromised, identity theft protection services can assist you. These services monitor your personal data, credit files, and the Internet, notifying you of any fraudulent or questionable activities. If necessary, they can also contact credit bureaus, banks, and creditors on your behalf and help you restore your identity.

How To Protect Your Cell Phone Accounts From Hackers

9. Be Careful With Sign-ups/Registrations

Check out as a guest instead of creating an account when you shop online and don’t allow them to store your credit card information. Be selective with your information disclosures.

10. Never Give Out Your Social Security Number

Your social security number is a unique piece of personally identifying information (used by credit agencies as well as other financial and government entities, such as the IRS), and, unlike an email address or a password, it is not easily modifiable.

11. Safeguard Personal Details & Passwords

Criminals can utilize your phone number, date of birth, maiden name, and the first automobile to create a separate “you” identity. Use caution when entering this information online. Additionally, passwords should be kept secure, changed frequently, and not shared.

12. Never Share Your Banking Information

Information regarding online banking, including passwords, should be kept confidential. Request that your banking or financial institution communicates using a multifactor identification protocol to increase security.

13. Use Different Email Addresses

You should utilize one email address for online banking and financial transactions and another for social media and personal accounts. Thus, your public profile email will not be linked to the potentially compromised information.

In conclusion, there is a need to be cyber conscious and alert about your personal space and identity. The reason for this blog I to help you safeguard your cyberspace.

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