DigitalREGroup

Privacy tips that actually protect you

Free, practical steps to stop identity theft, SIM swaps, data brokers and tracking, for you, your family and your business. Most take minutes.

Lock down your identity (15 minutes, free)

  1. Freeze your credit at all three bureaus. Equifax, Experian and TransUnion each offer free freezes. A freeze stops anyone opening new credit in your name; you can lift it for a few minutes when you apply.
  2. Opt out of pre-approved credit offers. OptOutPrescreen.com stops most prescreened card and loan mailers (a favorite target of mail thieves) for 5 years or permanently.
  3. Get an IRS Identity Protection PIN. A free 6-digit PIN from the IRS that stops someone filing a fake tax return with your Social Security number.
  4. Check if your data was breached. Search your email at Have I Been Pwned. Change any reused password that shows up.

Accounts and passwords

  1. Use a password manager. One strong, unique password for every account. Bitwarden and 1Password are good choices.
  2. Turn on two-step login with an app or passkey. Use an authenticator app or passkeys instead of text-message codes wherever you can; texts can be stolen with a SIM swap.
  3. Add a port-out PIN with your phone carrier. Every major carrier lets you set a number-lock or transfer PIN so no one can move your number to their phone.
  4. Use email aliases. Give each site a different forwarding address (SimpleLogin, DuckDuckGo Email Protection, Apple Hide My Email). Spam and breaches stay contained.

Shrink your digital footprint

  1. Remove yourself from people-search sites. Data brokers sell your address, phone and relatives. Opt out site by site, or use a removal service that repeats it every few months.
  2. Opt out of face-search engines. Services like PimEyes and FaceCheck.ID let you request removal of your face from their results.
  3. Use a private browser and search engine. Brave or Firefox with tracking protection, and DuckDuckGo, Brave Search or Startpage for search.
  4. Review app permissions. Turn off location, microphone, contacts and photo access for apps that don’t need them. Check twice a year.
  5. Clean up old accounts. Delete accounts you no longer use; every dormant account is a breach waiting to happen.

Protect your business

  1. Keep your home address off public records. Use a registered agent and a business mailing address for your LLC filings, licenses and marketing.
  2. Use an EIN instead of your SSN. Get a free EIN from the IRS and use it on W-9s and vendor forms instead of your Social Security number.
  3. Separate business phone and email. A business line (VoIP) and domain email keep your personal number private and look more professional.
  4. Lock down payments. Turn on payment alerts, use virtual card numbers for vendors and subscriptions, and require two people to approve large transfers.
  5. Train for phishing. Most breaches start with one click. Verify any payment change or urgent request by calling a known number.
The book
21st Century Privacy

The step-by-step guide to protecting your identity, data, money and business in a world that tracks everything. Join the early-reader list for launch pricing and a free chapter.

General information, not legal advice. Service names are examples, not endorsements; DigitalREGroup has no affiliation with them unless stated.