As part of my job, I stay safe from scams by following these six easy and quick steps, all of which are free.

Although I have never been scammed, I haven't actively taken steps to avoid them.

My identity is at risk due to data breaches that may have exposed my Social Security number, address, and passwords on the dark web.

As a scam writer, it's crucial not to fall victim to a scam.

To safeguard myself from scams, I implemented simple, cost-free measures that can be accomplished in a matter of minutes.

Here's what I did.

1. Froze my credit

• Total time: 5 minutes

A credit freeze prevents unauthorized access to your credit report, which lenders use to approve loans and credit cards, and also prevents scammers from assuming your identity and signing up for credit under your name.

You can easily set up a credit freeze by visiting the websites of the three major credit bureaus - Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. The process is quick, free, and can also be done by phone or mail. Unfreezing is also simple when you need to apply for credit or a loan.

I decided to freeze my credit since I don't plan on applying for a new credit card, mortgage, or loan in the near future.

2. Turned on Stolen Device Protection on my iPhone

• Total time: 1 minute

If you're in a public place and lose your phone, you could be at risk of having your accounts hacked and your identity stolen. All a thief needs is your phone and passcode, which can be easily obtained by observing you enter it. Once they gain access, they can reset your Apple ID or Face ID, leaving you locked out and vulnerable.

In January 2024, Apple introduced "Stolen Device Protection" as a security feature that requires Face ID or Touch ID for critical actions like password resets and enforces a one-hour delay in certain cases. During this time, alerts are sent to your trusted devices and email, giving you a chance to intervene before any changes take effect.

Ensure your iPhone software is updated to iOS 17.3 or later to enable Stolen Device Protection. Then, follow these steps:

1. Go to the Settings app, and select "Face ID & Passcode"
2. Enter your passcode
3. Toggle "Stolen Device Protection"

3. Set Venmo to private

• Total time: 1 minute

Venmo is a convenient way to split bills or make small purchases, but I never grasped the social aspects of the app or why my transactions were publicly viewable by default.

To avoid phishing scams, I've set my Venmo privacy settings to "Private." To make this change, open the Venmo app.

1. Go to the Me tab
2. Tap the Settings gear icon in the top right corner
3. Tap Privacy
4. Under Default Privacy Settings, select Private

4. Signed up for Informed Delivery

• Total time: 1 minute

The U.S. Postal Service provides a free service called Informed Delivery, which notifies you about incoming mail and packages.

Keep track of your deliveries and promptly identify any missing or stolen items, which scammers may exploit to obtain sensitive information such as credit card offers or bank statements. If anything is missing, report it through the Informed Delivery website, and the USPS will investigate.

Here's how to sign up:

1. Visit the Informed Delivery website
2. Create or log in to your USPS account
3. Verify your identity to activate the service

5. I finally got a password manager

• Total time: 30 minutes

Password cracking is becoming increasingly easy for hackers, with an eight-character password with a mix of numbers, letters, and symbols being cracked in just eight hours, according to a 2022 study. As a result, it's no longer enough to simply change passwords; stronger passwords are needed.

To safeguard against security threats, I have recently begun utilizing a password manager. Following a thorough examination of various alternatives, I opted for Bitwarden, which offers a complimentary version. This tool generates distinctive 30-character passwords for all of my accounts, allowing me to securely access everything with a single master password.

I utilize Bitwarden's Chrome extension or iPhone app to securely log into websites, as it automatically fills in my long passwords and eliminates the need for typing or memorization. Additionally, I am no longer concerned about using weak or reused passwords.

Although updating all my logins is ongoing, I have prioritized my bank and credit card accounts, which brings me a sense of calm.

6. Enabled two-factor authentication for banks

• Total time: 5 minutes

I've enhanced my login process by implementing two-factor authentication and a longer, more secure password, which now requires me to enter a text code every time I access my bank accounts online.

To avoid falling victim to phishing emails, I always verify the authenticity of links and images in emails and texts by searching for my bank directly on Google and logging in through that link.

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