How can I protect myself from identity theft online?

Ralph Estep Jr.:
00:00

Do you ever wonder how to keep your digital identity as secure as your eternal soul? Well, stay tuned because today on the Ask Ralph show, we're diving into the world of online identity protection from a Christian perspective.

Ralph Estep Jr.:
00:22

Picture this: you're sitting at your computer sipping your morning coffee when suddenly you notice a strange charge on your bank statement. Your heart races as you realize someone has been shopping with your identity. But if you're a faithful listener, today we're arming you with knowledge to keep your online presence as protected as Noah's Ark. Now before we jump in, let's take a quick glance at yesterday's show. We tackled the burning question: Should you get a home equity loan or a home equity line of credit? I hope you found our breakdown helpful in navigating those financial waters. If you missed it, just go to askralph.com and you'll find our complete catalog of episodes.

Ralph Estep Jr.:
01:05

Well, now let's dive into today's topic with a question from one of our listeners. This comes from Vicky from Topeka, Kansas, and she writes this:

Ralph Estep Jr.:
01:13

Dear Ralph, I'm increasingly concerned about the safety of my personal information online. As a small business owner, I handle sensitive data daily and want to ensure I'm being a good steward of both my own and my clients' information. How can I protect myself from identity theft online and how does this tie into biblical stewardship? Thank you so much for your guidance.

Ralph Estep Jr.:
01:36

Well Vicky, first off, thank you for your excellent question. And to our listeners tuning in, welcome to another episode of the Ask Ralph show, mastering your finances from a Christian perspective. I'm your host, Ralph, and I'm thrilled you've joined us for today's Technology Tuesday show. We're going to tackle Vicky's question head-on and explore how we can safeguard our digital identities while honoring God's call to be good stewards.

Ralph Estep Jr.:
02:02

But before we dive in, let's ground ourselves in Scripture. Let's look at Proverbs chapter 22 verse 3, which tells us, "The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty." This verse reminds us of the importance of foresight and taking action to protect ourselves from potential harm.

Ralph Estep Jr.:
02:25

Now let's address Vicky's question: How can we protect ourselves from identity theft online? And how does this align with biblical stewardship? So first, let's break down what identity theft really means. It's when someone uses your personal information, like your name, maybe your social security number, or credit card details, without your permission, usually for financial gain. In our digital age, this is becoming increasingly common with cyber criminals finding new ways to access our personal data on what they call the dark web.

Ralph Estep Jr.:
02:55

So the question becomes: How can we protect ourselves? Let's go through some practical steps. You may have heard these before, but I'm going to reiterate them today on the show. First, use strong, unique passwords. I know, I know, you've heard this before, but it's crucial. Use a different password for each account and make them complex. Consider using a password manager to keep track of all of them. I did a show a few weeks ago about password managers, and I highly recommend their use. Think of it like this: Would you use the same key for your house, car, and office? Of course not. Treat your online accounts the same way.

Ralph Estep Jr.:
03:30

The second thing: Enable two-factor authentication. This adds extra layers of security by requiring a second form of verification behind your password, like having a security guard check your ID after you've already shown your invitation to the party. Now, I really don't like the simple text message or email message one; I recommend using a third-party authenticator app like Duo or Google Authenticator. I personally use both of these. They're great and easy to use and provide a great option for multi-factor authentication.

Ralph Estep Jr.:
04:01

Now, number three: Be wary of phishing attempts. And these aren't the kind you catch in the local pond. Be cautious of emails or messages asking for personal information. Legitimate companies won't ask for sensitive data via email; they just won't do it. And if you're in doubt, contact the company directly using a known, verified number or website. Don't fall for the number that's in the email—that's probably a spoof number as well. This is something critical and something I can't stress enough.

Ralph Estep Jr.:
04:30

Fourth, keep all your software updated. I know, I get those pesky update notifications as well. But are you ignoring them? Don't ignore them. They often include important security patches, like fixing a hole in your fence before the wolf gets in. These are mission-critical steps that everyone should take on any device you own—something you have to be looking at. Fifth, use secure networks. You want to avoid conducting sensitive transactions on public Wi-Fi, like having a private conversation in a crowded room. You never know who may be listening. You may want to consider a personal VPN, which is called a virtual private network.

Ralph Estep Jr.:
05:07

I recommend using ExpressVPN; you can find them at expressvpn.com or NordVPN. And that's at nordvpn.com. You can also visit our website and reach out to our affiliate links by going to askralphpodcast.com/support. We have all kinds of affiliates there as we grow the show.

Ralph Estep Jr.:
05:26

Now, sixth, monitor your accounts. It's important that you regularly check your bank and credit card statements for any suspicious activity. This early detection can save you a world of trouble. I have many clients who check their accounts daily, but I think you've got to be checking them at least monthly with the arrival of your statement.

Ralph Estep Jr.:
05:44

And finally, seventh, consider identity theft protection services. These services can alert you to potential fraud and help you recover if you become a victim, like having a personal security detail for your digital life. Now, I personally recommend products like Norton, but there are a bunch of others, and they're great identity theft services that will alert you when there's an issue.

Ralph Estep Jr.:
06:05

So now you might be thinking, Ralph, this all sounds great, but what does it have to do with my faith? I'm glad you asked that question. Let's talk about how protecting our online identity aligns with our biblical stewardship. In First Peter chapter 4 verse 10, we're told, "Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms." While this verse is often applied to spiritual gifts, I believe it extends to all aspects of our lives, including our finances and our personal information. You see, when we protect our identities, we're being good stewards in several ways:

Ralph Estep Jr.:
06:42

First of all, number one, we're stewards of resources. Our financial resources are a gift from God. By protecting our identities, we're safeguarding these resources so they can be used for God's purposes, whether it's providing for families, giving to our churches, or even helping those in need.

Ralph Estep Jr.:
07:00

Number two, it's stewardship of trust. As Christians, we're called to be trustworthy. If we're careless with our own information or the data of others, like Vicki mentioned in her question, we're breaking that trust. By being vigilant, we're honoring the trust placed in us.

Ralph Estep Jr.:
07:18

Number three, it's about stewardship of testimony. Our actions as Christians should reflect Christ. If we fall victim to identity theft due to negligence on our part, it could harm our testimony and our ability to effectively minister to others.

Ralph Estep Jr.:
07:33

Number four, it's a stewardship of time. Dealing with the aftermath, and trust me, I've seen it, of identity theft can be incredibly time-consuming. But by taking preventative measures, we potentially save time that can be better spent serving God and serving others. If you've never been through it, it is a complete time siphon.

Ralph Estep Jr.:
07:53

And number five, stewardship of peace. Proverbs chapter 1 verse 33 says, "But whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm." By taking these wise precautions, we're storing our peace of mind, allowing us to focus more fully on our walk with God.

Ralph Estep Jr.:
08:13

So now I want to share a personal experience with you all. A few years ago, I nearly fell victim to a sophisticated phishing scheme. I remember sitting at my desk and receiving an email that looked exactly like it was from my bank, asking me to verify some information. I was just one click away from entering my details when something didn't quite feel right. I paused, prayed for some discernment, thought about it, and decided to call my bank directly. Lo and behold, it was a scam. They were getting all kinds of calls that day. Well, this experience taught me two valuable lessons.

Ralph Estep Jr.:
08:44

First, always trust your instincts. If something feels off, it probably is. I think that's something God has given each of us, this ability to have this instinctual understanding of what's going on. Second, and more importantly, it reminded me of the importance of seeking God's wisdom in all areas of our lives, even in something as seemingly mundane as checking our emails.

Ralph Estep Jr.:
09:07

So, what can you do today to protect yourself better online and avoid identity theft? Here are five actionable steps:

Ralph Estep Jr.:
09:13

Step one, audit your passwords. Take an hour this week to go through your important accounts and update any weak or duplicate passwords. The truth is, a password manager is a great way to handle this task and provide updated passwords.

Ralph Estep Jr.:
09:26

Step number two, set up two-factor authentication. Enable this feature on your email, bank accounts, and social media accounts. The truth is, most of them require it now, but some don't. So, I would definitely recommend it. This is critical and something you need to do today to protect your identity online.

Ralph Estep Jr.:
09:44

Step number three, check your credit report. I don't know if you know this or not, but you're entitled to one free credit report from each of the three major credit bureaus every year. I advise you to take advantage of this to monitor for any suspicious activity. You can get them all at annualcreditreport.com. I'll have all these links in the show notes.

Ralph Estep Jr.:
10:03

Step number four, educate yourself. Stay informed about the latest online scams and phishing techniques. Knowledge is power. You may want to check out www.identitytheft.gov. It's a great resource put together by the US government. You can report fraud and read about the different scams going on. I checked it out yesterday. It's really a pretty good site.

Ralph Estep Jr.:
10:25

And finally, step number five, pray for wisdom. Ask God for discernment in managing your online presence and for protection against those who might seek to do you harm.

Ralph Estep Jr.:
10:35

All right, well, let's recap what we've covered today. I know we covered a lot. We've learned that protecting our online identity is not just a matter of personal security but also a form of biblical stewardship. We've explored practical steps to safeguard our digital lives, from using strong passwords to being cautious about phishing attempts. We've seen how this ties into our Christian walk directly, as we strive to be good stewards of our resources, trust, testimony, time, and peace.

Ralph Estep Jr.:
11:02

Remember this: as Proverbs 22:3 reminds us, "The prudent see danger and take refuge." In our digital age, being prudent means taking proactive steps to protect our online identities. So, if you found this information helpful, I encourage you to visit our website at askralph.com. Join our community and share this episode with others who might benefit from this knowledge.

Ralph Estep Jr.:
11:25

Remember, when you join our community, you'll receive a free copy of my book, "Managing Your Finances." It's a $10 value on Amazon, but it's our gift to you for being a part of our community. And don't forget, we'd love to hear from you just like we did today. Send in your questions for the show. After all, answering your questions is what the Ask Ralph show is all about. I love answering questions. We'll tune in tomorrow when we'll be discussing the seven financial perks of maintaining great credit. I'm going to lay it out for you, the benefits of having great credit. That's one you don't want to miss.

Ralph Estep Jr.:
11:58

So as we wrap up, I want to thank you all for listening. Remember, in all things, including our online lives, we are called to be good stewards. Let's commit to protecting our digital identities, not just for our own sake, but as a testament to our faith and trust in God. And as I always say, until next time, stay financially savvy, and God bless you. Work on those action items today.