It is estimated that there are now around 3.5 billion smartphone users in the world. While mobile phones offer us an array of benefits, there are risks involved. If you one of those 3.4 billion smartphone users, it’s crucial to be aware of identity theft and to take steps to protect yourself. This guide will outline how identity theft can happen through your phone and provide advice to help you lower the risk of succumbing to scams and security breaches.
How can identity theft occur through your phone?
There are several ways in which identity theft can happen through a mobile phone. These include:
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Physical theft: If your phone is stolen or you misplace it, and somebody picks it up, there is a risk of the new owner gaining access to sensitive data and personal information. If you don’t have a pin or a passcode, a stranger can easily check your files, look through your photos and emails and find information, such as payment and account details and personal data. If you lose your phone, there are steps you can take to protect yourself. If you have an iPhone, for example, you can activate remote locking, use the feature ‘find my iPhone’ and erase all personal data if required. You can also access data and files you’ve lost on your phone via Apple’s iCloud.
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Public WiFi connections: Most of us have secure WiFi networks at home and work, but what about when you’re out and about? How do you get online? While many web users gain access to web pages and apps through 4G, it can be tempting to save data by using public WiFi networks. If you are surfing, and you’re not at home, try and find secure systems and connections. If you have to use a public network, avoid doing anything that involves making payments, accessing bank accounts or sharing personal or sensitive information. Hackers can connect to unsecured systems and watch what you’re doing.
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Texts and emails: If you’ve ever received a text message or an email purporting to be from your bank, a store you visit regularly or your mobile provider, you’ll know just how realistic some spam messages can look. When you receive a text or an email and it has a business name in the sender box or a logo that looks almost identical to brands you recognize, it can be difficult to tell the difference between genuine messages and phishing scams. The best thing to do if you do receive these kinds of communications is to check with your bank if they have contacted you and to look at the address of the sender on your emails. If the address is a spam account, you can block the sender. Avoid responding to any message that encourages you to ring number you don’t recognize, click on a link to verify personal data or share personal information. Official organizations and departments, for example, tax services, police forces and banks will never ask you to provide this kind of information over text message or email.
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Viruses: If you don’t have antivirus software on your phone, you could be at risk of security breaches. This is more common on Android phones.
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Updates: If you don’t already update your phone on a regular basis, it’s wise to start now. Updates often contain important security upgrades and bug fixes. You can set your apps to update automatically, or check which programs need updating and carry out the process manually via your app store.
How to reduce the risk of identity theft
Phones are now an intrinsic part of modern-day life, and many of us can’t imagine being without them. While there are myriad benefits to having a smartphone, if you don’t protect yourself properly, your phone could be a security risk to you. To minimize the chances of identity theft occurring through your phone, here are some simple steps to follow:
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Choose a pin code or password: If you do not have a password or a pin code, anyone is able to access your phone at the touch of a button. Adding a password means that you have to be able to enter a code or a word to get past the home screen. Many modern phones also have fingerprint or face ID, and these features can enhance security. If you are using a pin code, try and avoid choosing a sequence that is easy to guess, for example, 1,2,3,4 or your birthday. Opt for a longer code made up of random digits if possible. It’s also wise to avoid using the same pin for your bank card and your mobile phone. Change your pin if you lost your phone and it was returned to you, or you’ve had the same password for a long time.
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Be vigilant and err on the side of caution: When it comes to security, it pays to be cautious. If you receive any unusual text messages, emails or phone calls, block the number or sender or delete the message without reading it. Do not click links or reply to numbers if you don’t know the sender. It is particularly important to avoid responding to any messages that ask you to provide personal data or your bank details. If you receive a message claiming to be from your bank, for example, don’t reply or follow any links and check to see if your bank has contacted you. There are often common examples of spam and phishing scams available to view online, so you can see examples of what this looks like. You can also report any suspicious activity so that other people don’t receive the same messages.
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Use secure networks: When using the Internet on your phone, make sure you connect to a secure network at all times. Avoid open, public connections.
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Dispose of your phone safely: If you are upgrading or selling your phone, dispose of it safely and clear the data first.
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Lock your phone remotely if you lose it: If you lose your phone, it could fall into the hands of a stranger. Remote locking can help you prevent them from gaining access.
Prevent Phone Identity Theft
Most of us know that computers are vulnerable to security breaches, but are you protecting yourself when you use your smartphone? If you understand how identity theft can happen through your phone and you’re aware of the risks, you can take steps to shield personal information and data breaches, therefore the risks of scams and security breaches should be much lower.