If you’ve worked hard for years to prepare yourself financially for retirement, the last thing you would want to see is your careful financial plans put in jeopardy because of identity theft. Having your sensitive information compromised could lead to fraudulent charges on your credit card, or having part of your savings stolen. It’s important to be mindful of the ways your identity can be stolen, as well as how you can protect yourself from identity theft.
Protect Your Identity in Retirement With Discover Identity Theft Protection
Last Updated: November 2, 2023
3 min read
Key points about: protecting your identity in retirement
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Be mindful of identity theft risks, such as sharing personal information on social media or opening emails or texts from unfamiliar sources.
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Discover Identity Theft Protection may help combat identity theft.
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Discover Identity Theft Protection monitors the three major credit bureaus for changes and any of thousands of Dark Web sites for your Social Security number, and more.
Everyday identity theft risks
When you disclose personal information in social media accounts, access your bank account over a public WiFi network, or save credit card numbers at retailer web sites, you may be increasing your risk of identity theft. The work you’ve done all these years to ensure your financial security in retirement could be vulnerable.
Cybercriminals may sell or trade personal information they have about you to identity thieves, who may be able to use that to get even more data about you. In total, this may mean that cybercriminals have a more complete picture of you that can leave your digital identity at risk.
Did you know?
Discover offers cardmembers free Online Privacy Protection. Discover gives you more control over your personal information online by regularly helping to remove it from select people-search sites that could sell your data. Activate for free with the Discover app.1
Keep your digital DNA to yourself
Your digital DNA is everywhere, and you can lessen the risks surrounding it in a few ways. These include:
- When it comes to your social media profile, don’t give everything away–full birth date, childhood hometown, parents’ full names, and so on. An identity thief could use that information about you to gain access to sensitive information.
- Before you travel, consider installing a virtual private network on your mobile device, which can encrypt internet traffic and help protect sensitive information–like passwords.
- Make harder-to-crack passwords for banks and other sensitive account sign-ins. If you’ve been using simple passwords for many years, it’s time to trade ABC123 in favor of something like Y&9)aaB. You can use password generators and managers to create strong passwords, regularly change, and securely store them. Don’t forget to apply the same password rules to any credit card information you want to keep as a default with a trusted online retailer.
- Make sure to watch what websites you visit and emails you open, as they can be the entry points to phishing attacks and malware installations. Don’t respond with any personal information and check that the email address corresponds to a real website. Be aware of scams that specifically target older adults.
Discover is your partner in combating identity theft
Discover can help you tackle identity theft with Discover Identity Theft Protection for just $15 per month. This comprehensive service includes: three bureau credit alerts–when key changes2 are reported to your credit file; bank account alerts–if a bank account in your name opens or updates at any one of thousands of financial institutions we monitor every day, and more alerts of potential threats to your identity. In the case of ID theft, you can access up to $1MM identity theft insurance–for legal expenses, reimbursement of stolen funds, lost wages, and more covered expenses3—and count on expert service from 100% U.S.-Based Fraud Resolution Specialists.
Taking some simple steps to be more vigilant in your everyday life and enlisting the help of an identity theft protection service may provide you with the peace of mind you need to fully enjoy your retirement.
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- Online Privacy Protection: is offered by Discover Bank at no cost and only available in the mobile app. About every 90 days we will scan at least 10 select people-search sites for your online personal information and help you submit opt-out requests. Types of personal information found on these sites will vary.
- Identity Theft Protection: Key changes include: New accounts, credit inquiries, address changes, potentially negative information such as delinquencies, and public records.
- Identity Theft Protection: Identity Theft Insurance underwritten by insurance company subsidiaries or affiliates of American International Group, Inc. The description herein is a summary and intended for informational purposes only and does not include all terms, conditions, and exclusions of the policies described. Please refer to the actual policies for terms, conditions, and exclusions of coverage. Coverage may not be available in all jurisdictions. This product can only be agreed upon, purchased and delivered online. It is optional and voluntary.
- Legal Disclaimer: This site is for educational purposes and is not a substitute for professional advice. The material on this site is not intended to provide legal, investment, or financial advice and does not indicate the availability of any Discover product or service. It does not guarantee that Discover offers or endorses a product or service. For specific advice about your unique circumstances, you may wish to consult a qualified professional.