A few proactive habits can help you reduce risk, recognize warning signs, and respond with greater confidence.
Sharing personal information is part of everyday life. We provide identification, create online accounts, and trust businesses to handle our information responsibly.
But once information leaves our hands, we don’t always know where it is stored, who can access it, or how long it will be retained.
You don’t need to assume your identity has been stolen to take precautions. A more useful approach is to focus on what you can control: your security habits, your awareness, and your response when something seems unusual.
At E. R. Munro and Company, we believe proactive risk management starts with being informed.
Protect: Make Your Information Harder to Misuse
Start with the accounts that would cause the most disruption if someone gained access to them, especially your email and financial accounts.
Use a unique, strong password for each account and enable multifactor authentication whenever available. Your email deserves particular attention because it often serves as the recovery point for other accounts.
You can also consider a credit freeze with Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. A freeze restricts access to your credit report and helps prevent unauthorized new credit accounts. Placing and lifting a freeze is free, but you must contact each bureau separately.
A freeze is not a complete safeguard. It does not stop unauthorized use of an existing credit card or protect against every form of identity theft.
Depending on your needs, additional tools may be worth exploring:
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ChexSystems and NCTUE security freezes: These restrict access to consumer reports that some financial institutions, telecom providers, and utility companies use.
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An IRS Identity Protection PIN: This helps prevent someone else from filing a federal tax return using your Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number.
Before enrolling, review each organization’s official instructions and understand when you may need to lift a freeze or use a PIN.
Be Thoughtful About What You Share
When a business requests a copy or scan of your identification, ask why it is needed, whether an alternative is available, and how the information will be retained.
You may not always have a choice, but asking questions can help you make an informed decision. Avoid sending sensitive documents through channels you have not verified.
Pay Attention: Know What Normal Looks Like
You’re more likely to spot suspicious activity when you regularly review your accounts and records.
Make it a habit to check financial statements and investigate unfamiliar transactions. Account alerts can help bring certain changes to your attention sooner.
Review your credit reports, too. AnnualCreditReport.com offers free weekly reports from the three major credit bureaus. Look for unfamiliar accounts, addresses, or inquiries—not just changes to a credit score.
Your mail can also provide clues. Unexpected account notices, bills you don’t recognize, or statements that stop arriving deserve follow-up.
For eligible addresses, USPS Informed Delivery provides free digital previews of incoming letter-sized mail and information about certain packages. It can support your awareness, but it is not a complete record of deliveries or a guarantee against mail-related fraud.
The goal isn’t to worry about every notification. It’s to recognize changes that deserve a closer look.
Respond: Verify First, Then Act
A breach notice or suspicious account alert can feel urgent. Before clicking a link or sharing information, confirm that the message is legitimate.
Visit the organization’s official website directly or call a known phone number. Scammers can imitate security notices to collect the very information they claim to be protecting.
If a notice is genuine, review:
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What information may have been exposed.
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What actions the organization recommends.
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Whether free monitoring or identity protection is available.
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Any enrollment deadlines or service limitations.
If you find an unfamiliar transaction or account, contact the relevant financial institution or business promptly. Keep records of your communications and the steps you take.
For suspected identity theft, the Federal Trade Commission’s IdentityTheft.gov provides reporting guidance and recovery resources.
Make Protection Part of Your Routine
Identity protection doesn’t require constant vigilance or completing a long checklist in one sitting.
Start with a manageable action: secure your email account, review a credit report, or consider a credit freeze. Then build regular reviews into your routine.
The strongest approach combines preventive measures with awareness and a clear plan for responding. No single service can eliminate every risk, but thoughtful habits can put you in a better position to recognize and address problems.
At E. R. Munro and Company, we encourage you to stay informed, ask questions, and take practical steps to protect what matters.
Resources to Get Started
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Federal Trade Commission: Guidance on credit freezes, fraud alerts, and identity theft.
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AnnualCreditReport.com: Free credit reports.
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IRS: Information about Identity Protection PINs.
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IdentityTheft.gov: Help reporting and recovering from identity theft.
