Your Most Valuable Asset
Your most valuable asset isn’t just your portfolio, property, or business interests. Today, your digital identity is what proves who you are when you bank, invest, travel, communicate, and work with trusted advisors. As more of our lives move online, protecting that identity has become central to protecting the legacy you’ve built.
The good news is that while cybercrime has become increasingly sophisticated and convincing, the most effective defenses have not changed. Cybercrime relies on urgency, fear, and confusion. By contrast, calm decision‑making, verification, and a few well‑established security practices can dramatically reduce your risk of becoming a victim.
This resource provides a clear, practical overview of the most important areas of cybersecurity affecting individuals and families today. It introduces digital identity and outlines straightforward steps you can take to reduce risk and protect yourself from today’s most common cybercrimes.
What is a Digital Identity?
Your digital identity is a collection of information that proves you are you in the digital world. It’s what banks, investment firms, credit card companies, cell phone carriers, and email services rely on to allow access and approve requests. Your digital identity consists of a combination of the following:
- Date of Birth
- Social Security Number
- Drivers License Number
- Addresses
- Phone Numbers
- Usernames & Passwords
- Security Questions
Criminals no longer rely on stolen documents to carry out their crimes. Instead, they rely on stolen information and access that is used to impersonate you online.
Protecting your digital identity is the single most important step you can take to reduce your risk of becoming a victim of cybercrime.
Steps You Should Take
While protecting your digital identity can seem incredibly overwhelming at first, there are some simple, practical steps that you can take to quickly close the door on cybercrime.
Secure Devices
Your phones, tablets, and computers are the keys to your digital identity. Require a PIN, password, or biometric such as face or fingerprint recognition to access your devices. Many devices also include features that can locate, lock, or erase the contents of a lost or stolen device.
Callbacks
Scammers often initiate contact using fake phone numbers and email addresses. When you receive an unexpected request, especially one involving money or access, do not respond directly to the message or call. Instead call or email the institution using the contact information listed on their official website.
Multi-Factor Authentication
MFA is a second form of verification required to confirm your identity before gaining access. Adding MFA to all online accounts that contain sensitive information makes hacking those accounts much more difficult.
Trusted Friends & Family
Never take action or make decisions out of fear, urgency, or threatening tactics. Having a trusted friend or family member to consult before acting can help prevent costly mistakes. Fraud succeeds when decisions get rushed.
Treat unexpected emails with caution – especially ones using scare tactics, fear, or artificial urgency. These emails may contain malicious links that can be used to hack your device, download malware, and bait you into divulging personal information.
Technology as a Tool
Criminals are increasingly using artificial intelligence (AI) to impersonate trusted companies and deceive users. If an email, text, or call seems suspicious, verify it through trusted online sources before taking action. A few minutes of research can help prevent identity theft and financial loss.
Trust But Verify
Unexpected communication by phone, text, or email should always be treated with caution. Never provide access, codes, or personal information unless you are 100% certain the request is legitimate and the person is who they claim to be.
Identity Protection Services
Consider leveraging a reputable identity protection service as an added layer of security. These services help monitor for signs of identity theft and account compromise, and provide guidance if needed.
Limit Shared Information
Reducing the amount of personal information you share lowers the risk of becoming a victim of cybercrime. Avoid oversharing travel plans, family details, and financial information. Always shred sensitive documents rather than discarding them.
Let Experience Be Your Guide
You’ve spent decades making sound decisions, managing risk, and recognizing when something doesn’t feel right. Those instincts remain one of your strongest defenses in a digital world.
Quick Reaction Guide
This list above provides actionable steps to take to stay protected in a world of increasing cybersecurity risk. View the printable pdf for an additional quick reaction guide you can reference in the event you encounter a potential scam – so you can make fast, informed decisions with confidence.
Quick Reaction Guide
This list above provides actionable steps to take to stay protected in a world of increasing cybersecurity risk. Below, we’ve included a quick reaction guide you can reference in the event you encounter a potential scam – so you can make fast, informed decisions with confidence.
Scam
Reaction
Unsolicited phone calls and voicemails
Callbacks to trusted phone numbers
Suspicious emails, texts, and social media
Non-engagement
Computer and mobile device pop-ups
Reboot
Letters or other physical mailings
Look up contact info online (not on letter)
Family emergency scams
Code word and internal communication
Play on emotion
(fear, urgency, panic)
Stop and consult someone you trust
Credit theft
Freeze credit with major bureaus
View the video presentation, Bulletproofing Your Digital Identity, for more!