Scam-Proof Your Life: The Essential 3-Step Security Checklist

If you've never lost money in a scam, you probably know someone who did.

While you can’t stop scammers, you can greatly reduce your chances of getting scammed IF you take some simple steps:

Change your passwords!

I found my email had been involved in 29 data breaches that may have also included my passwords.

It means my files and personal information may have been exposed.

Believe it or not, the most popular passwords are “123456," “password,” and “admin," the default password that comes with a device.  

These are invitations, not protections.

Effective passwords are long and complex. They should be 20-25 characters, using numbers, lower and upper case letters, punctuation marks.

Different accounts should have different passwords.

Or you can let a password manager do the work. It's an app that creates strong passwords, stores them and fills them in when needed.

There are many free versions of managers and you only need one password to access all.

Also, set up two-factor authentication. You have to take an extra step to get into your accounts, but they are much more secure.

Next, freeze your credit report.

The three big credit bureaus, Experian, TransUnion and Equifax, store information that scammers need to open credit cards, loans and more in your name. 

Through your bureau accounts, freeze your credit so no one can get access to it .

You can then release the freeze temporarily when you need lenders to check your credit.

And check the website annualcreditreport.com at least twice a year. 

It’s a free way to see all 3 reports and if credit accounts have been opened without your knowledge. 

Finally, stop scammers before they even try to get your money.  

Assume all unknown calls, emails and texts are scams.  Do not answer calls coming from unknown numbers.

If they are important, they will leave messages. Scammers will not.

Don’t click on links in texts or emails, even if it appears to come from a business where you are a customer.

Instead, communicate through your account to see if there’s an issue.

Hopefully, taking these steps will lead to a scam-free 2025!

Check reviews and avoid scams by hiring trusted accredited businesses at bbb.org

See all scam stopper tips at joeknowsbetter.com. 

Report scams to the Arizona Attorney General's Office https://www.azag.gov/ the Federal Trade Commission https://www.ftc.gov/ and BBB Scam Tracker https://www.bbb.org/scamtracker