Stealing the identity of a dead person is sometimes referred to as “ghosting”. It is important that social media accounts are either memorialised or closed when someone dies. Identify theft is a huge problem for all of us.
Your identity is a valuable asset, and can be stolen when you are alive. However, if you do not proactively make plans to manage your digital footprint whilst you are living, then it will remain online after your death. Social Embers has produced the DIGITAL LEGACY TOOKIT to help you understand what needs to be done to protect your digital accounts.
There are many things you can do now to reduce the risk of identity theft.
- Keep any documents that carry personal information such as your passport, driving licence, bank statements, utility bills or credit card transaction receipts in a safe and secure place.
- Always shred or destroy your old documents so that your name, address or other personal details can’t be found.
- Monitor your credit card and banking apps and statements for suspicious activity.
- If you move house always prevent the new tenants from having access to letters containing your personal information by arranging for your mail to be redirected.
- When shopping online use a secure website, and close any online digital accounts that you are no longer using.
Contact us for more advice via our website www.socialembers.com