Q: Someone been stealing my emails and all my finances
A:
I'm sorry to hear that you are dealing with email and financial theft. This is a serious issue that needs to be addressed immediately to prevent further damage. Here are some steps you should take right away:
1. Change passwords: Change the passwords for all your email accounts and financial accounts like online banking, credit cards, investment accounts etc. Use strong, unique passwords for each account.
2. Enable two-factor authentication: Add an extra layer of security by enabling two-factor authentication wherever possible. This requires a second form of verification (like a code texted to your phone) in addition to your password to access accounts.
3. Check account activity: Carefully review recent activity on your financial accounts and credit reports. Look for any unauthorized transactions or suspicious activity. Report anything fraudulent to the relevant institutions immediately.
4. Contact financial institutions: Call your bank, credit card companies, and other financial institutions to notify them of the theft. They can lock compromised accounts, issue new account numbers, and help you dispute fraudulent charges.
5. Scan devices for malware: Run thorough anti-virus and anti-malware scans on your computer and other devices to check for any malicious software that may be enabling the theft. Consider having a professional IT service do this.
6. File reports: Report the identity theft to the relevant government agencies, such as the FTC at identitytheft.gov. You should also file a police report with your local law enforcement.
7. Notify credit bureaus: Contact the major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion) to place a fraud alert or credit freeze on your file to prevent new accounts from being opened in your name.
I know this is an overwhelming and stressful situation, but acting quickly is important to minimize the damage. Keep records of all your communications. Consider enrolling in an identity theft monitoring service for extra protection going forward.
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