How Can I Protect My Identity and Keep My Personal Information Safe Online?
If you’ve ever worried about identity theft, credit fraud, or someone filing taxes in your name (yes, that happens, and it actually happened to me!), you’re not alone. I’ve personally experienced identity theft, and I’ve learned a few practical, low-stress ways to keep my data secure.
Here’s what’s worked for me...
TL;DR: Quick Steps to Protect Your Identity
Step 1: Use a Password Manager
One of the easiest ways to protect your online accounts is by using a password manager—I personally use Bitwarden because we set it up years ago when that was the best option and it’s still working fine for us, but there are now other good ones like 1Password (try 1Password Business free for 14 days with my link). Spend an hour setting it up (it’s worth it) and once it’s running, use it to generate unique, strong passwords for your important accounts (like your bank, credit card, or PayPal).
You don’t need to change every single password. Just start with the ones that would cause serious damage if someone got in.
Step 2: Remove Your Personal Data from the Internet
Your phone number, email address, and home address are often floating around online on “people search” sites.
I use a service called DeleteMe (get 20% off with my link), which scans the internet for my information and files official removal requests every quarter. They send me a report every month or so showing what was deleted and where.
It costs about $100 per year per person, but it’s been completely worth it for peace of mind. I pay for it for myself and my husband.
Step 3: Use Credit Monitoring (Especially When It’s Free)
After a data breach, companies often offer free credit monitoring for one or two years. Whenever I get one of those “your information was exposed” letters, I always take advantage of that offer.
Credit monitoring services will alert you if someone opens a new account in your name, so you can act fast if needed. This only takes a few minutes to set up, and it’s free when it’s offered.
Step 4: Freeze Your Credit (and Your Kids’ Credit Too)
The most powerful step I’ve taken is freezing my credit.
You can do this for free with each of the three major credit bureaus:
When your credit is frozen, no one can open a new credit account under your name (not even you) unless you temporarily “thaw” it.
You can lift the freeze (or “thaw” it) for a short period (like a week) when you’re applying for a mortgage, car loan, or credit card, and then it locks itself again automatically.
This step has completely stopped my identity theft issues. Before I froze my credit, I had multiple instances where someone opened new accounts in my name—even years after they had tried it before. Since freezing it, I haven’t had a single problem.
And yes, you can (and should) freeze your kids’ credit too. It prevents someone from opening accounts under their name before they’re even adults (it’s a common scam because stealing kids’ identities often doesn’t get discovered until years later).
Why These Steps Work Together
By combining these methods, you’re protecting your personal info on three fronts:
Passwords keep your accounts locked down.
DeleteMe removes data that hackers use to impersonate you.
Credit freezes stop anyone from opening new accounts in your name.
This layered approach means even if one system fails, the others still protect you.
FAQs About Protecting Your Identity Online
Q1: What’s the difference between a credit freeze and a fraud alert?
A credit freeze locks your credit file completely. A fraud alert just tells lenders to verify your identity before opening new accounts, but doesn’t block them.
Q2: How often should I check my credit report?
At least once a year (you can get a free report at AnnualCreditReport.com from each bureau).
Q3: Is DeleteMe the only data removal service?
No, there are others like PrivacyBee, Incogni, and Kanary. I just personally found DeleteMe to be the most consistent.
Q4: Do I still need credit monitoring if my credit is frozen?
Usually not, but it’s a nice extra layer if it’s free from a breach notification.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve ever been a victim of identity theft—or just want to prevent it—these steps can make a huge difference. Start small: set up a password manager and freeze your credit today.
Once you’ve done those two things, you’ll already be ahead of 90% of people online.
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About The Author
Jessica Eastman Stewart is a consultant, workshop facilitator, and podcast guest expert. She teaches busy professionals how to get more organized at home and at work so they can stop feeling worn out and start living a Joyfully Managed Life! Thousands of readers drop everything when her weekly newsletter, The Friday Five, arrives in their inbox. Every Friday, you’ll get FIVE amazing tips to help life feel INSTANTLY more joyful and easy!
