New Year’s Digital Resolution
The Cybersecurity Checkup©
Have you made a list of your New Year’s Resolution? Are you planning on joining a gym, paying off a debt, changing jobs, or perhaps taking that long dreamed of trip? Have you determined to make sure you get that annual physical, the oil changed in your car every three months, and the chimney swept, before you need to light a fire? The beginning of a new year is a great time to put both you and your house in order, which should also include your digital life.
During the next twelve months, I invite you to join me as we set about to insure that our digital life is as safe as it can be, by following a Cybersecurity Checkup©. Let’s get started!
January can be a busy financial month, as we start to put our documentation in order for our taxes; but it is also a great time to review your credit and debit card statements. Though we should always be aware of activity on our cards, often life simply feels too hectic to stop and read those statements, as thoroughly as we should, something which a hacker counts on. The longer a thief can be in possession of your identity, the more he will profit and the harder it will be for you to put your financial life back in order.
With the shopping which many of us partake of, during the holidays, you will want to make sure the charges, on your accounts, were made by you and not someone else and verify that returns were credited correctly. Do not overlook small charges, as they can be an indicator that you have been hacked and your identity stolen. A two dollar charge can be a great way for the thief to see if you are monitoring charges, or a way for them to collect a very big pay day, as they steal two dollars from thousands of people.
If you see anything suspicious, contact your credit card provider or bank immediately; do not be afraid to look foolish, it is much better for the bank and you if the two dollar charge turns out to a cup of coffee, on day you were without cash.
Review fees and interest rates, if there is a change in either of those charges, it may an indicator of something nefarious. Perhaps there is not unusual or suspicious activity on the card in question, but other lines of credit have been opened in your name, and thus the creditor whose statement you are checking, has raised your rates.
This is also a great time to review rewards. So many credit cards now offer some kind of a reward program, whether it is cash back, which you may need to pay off that holiday shopping, travel incentives or gift cards, at a reduced rate. You do not want your reward to expire.
Resolve to follow the Cybersecurity Checkup©, to stay safely Connected.
