• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Ask Liz Weston

Get smart with your money

  • About
  • Liz’s Books
  • Speaking
  • Disclosure
  • Contact

medical identity theft

Equifax hack: Freezing your credit isn’t enough

November 6, 2017 By Liz Weston

The Equifax hack exposed the names, addresses, birthdates and Social Security numbers of up to 145.5 million Americans. Drivers license information for 10.9 million people was also exposed, according to a Wall Street Journal report.

This is the sensitive, private information that’s used to establish your identity, which is why freezing your credit reports — as important as that is — won’t be enough.

Credit freezes won’t prevent criminals from taking over credit, bank, retirement and investment accounts, says security expert Avivah Litan with Gartner Research. Thieves also could use the purloined information to snatch your tax refund or mess with your Social Security benefits. Your email, phone, shopping and cloud-based storage accounts aren’t safe, either.

Read my Associated Press column for the steps you should take now.

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: breach, criminal identity theft, database breach, Equifax, Equifax breach, Equifax hack, Identity Theft, medical identity theft, tax fraud, tax ID fraud, tax identity theft

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

March 19, 2015 By Liz Weston

Zemanta Related Posts ThumbnailToday’s top story: A dangerous new type of identity theft is on the rise. Also in the news: Tax breaks overlooked by small business owners, how CD loans could cover short-term needs, and the first thing to do when you get a new credit card.

The Surprising Kind of Identity Theft You Probably Haven’t Heard Of
Medical identity theft is wreaking havoc.

5 Tax Breaks Overlooked By Small Business Owners
Don’t miss out.

CD Loans Offer an Alternative to Cover Short-Term Needs
The pros and cons.

The First Thing to Do When You Get a New Credit Card
Don’t just put it in your wallet.

5 Financial Things Everyone Should Do in Their 20s
Starting off on the right foot.

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: CD loans, Credit Cards, Identity Theft, medical identity theft, millennials, tax breaks, tax tips

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

February 24, 2015 By Liz Weston

200150236-001Today’s top story: The increasing threat of medical identity theft. Also in the news: the student loan time bomb, how to gain an edge when selling your home, and how to fix a high electric bill.

A Dangerous Form of Identity Theft Is Growing Fast
Medical identity theft is on the rise.

Student Loan Time Bomb Is Ticking Louder
The delinquency rate is skyrocketing.

5 Ways Spring Home Sellers Can Gain an Edge
How to make your home stand out.

How to fix that high electric bill
The vampires of standby mode.

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: electricity bill, Identity Theft, medical identity theft, millennials, real estate, Student Loans

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

January 28, 2015 By Liz Weston

how_to_build_an_emergency_fundToday’s top story: How to boost your emergency fund. Also in the news: What you need to worry about for retirement besides money, why you should worry about medical identity theft, and deciding when it’s time to dump your credit card.

11 Ways to Boost Your Emergency Fund
How to prepare for unexpected expenses.

5 Things to Worry About Besides Money for Retirement
There’s more to retirement planning than just money.

Medical identity theft: Why you should worry
And you thought credit theft was bad…

6 Signs You Should Dump Your Credit Card
Deciding when to cut the card.

This Simple 6-Step Routine Could Save You $30 Per Week on Groceries
An extra $1500 a year would be nice!

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: Credit Cards, emergency fund, grocery savings, medical identity theft, Retirement

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

April 1, 2014 By Liz Weston

Zemanta Related Posts ThumbnailToday’s top story: The dangers of medical identity theft. Also in the news: the pros and cons of identity theft insurance, how to pick the perfect credit card, and how to save your retirement after losing your job.

Medical Identity Theft: The Fraud That Can Kill You
The repercussions are serious.

Is identity-theft insurance a waste of money?
Is the protection worth the cost?

How to Pick the Perfect Credit Card
The important things to consider.

Lost Your Job? Here’s How to Save Your Retirement
Don’t panic.

5 Ways to Fix a Failing Personal Budget
Everyone makes mistakes.

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: Credit Cards, Identity Theft, medical identity theft, personal budget, unemployment

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

March 4, 2014 By Liz Weston

Zemanta Related Posts ThumbnailToday’s top story: How to avoid medical identity theft while at the doctor’s office. Also in the news: What you need to do with your 401(k), ways to save on child care, and nine jobs with the biggest earning potential.

4 Things Your Doctor Doesn’t Need to Know
Avoiding medical identity theft.

No plan for your 401(k)? You’re not alone
Just having a 401(k) plan isn’t enough.

6 ways to cut child care costs
Without sacrificing quality!

9 Jobs With the Biggest Earning Potential
You probably shouldn’t rely on the second one.

7 Steps To A Secure Retirement For Women
Preparing and securing the future.

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: 401(k), child care costs, jobs, medical identity theft, Retirement

  • Page 1
  • Page 2
  • Go to Next Page »

Primary Sidebar

Search

Copyright © 2025 · Ask Liz Weston 2.0 On Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in