5 myths about identity theft that put your data at risk

Most people think that identity theft starts with a massive hack. In reality, it usually starts much more quietly, with bits of personal information you didn’t even know were public: old addresses, family connections, phone numbers, and shopping habits.

They are all on data broker sites that most people have never heard of. During Identity Theft Awareness Week, hosted by the Federal Trade Commission, it’s a good time to clear up some dangerous myths that continue to put people at risk, especially retirees, families, and anyone who thinks they’re “careful enough.”

Let’s analyze them.

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Myth #1: “I didn’t suffer a data breach, so I’m safe”

FIBER BROADBAND GIANT INVESTIGATES BREACH AFFECTING 1M USERS

Reality: You do not have to have committed a breach for your data to be exposed.

Data brokers legally collect personal information from public records, loyalty programs, apps, and online purchases. Over time, they create detailed profiles that can exist for decades, even if you’ve never been hacked. Scammers often use this data as a starting point. It helps them look legitimate, personalize messages, and choose the right angle to trick you.

Practical tips:

• Don’t Assume “No Default” Means “No Risk”
• Avoid sharing too many details on social media
• Remove your personal data from data broker sites so it cannot be reused

Myth #2: ‘Scammers don’t have enough information to impersonate me’

Reality: They usually have more than enough.

Scammers don’t need your Social Security number to cause harm. A name, address history, phone number, and family connections may be enough for someone to:

• Open accounts in your name
• Reset your passwords
• Convince customer service that you are you
• Tricking family members into sending money

This is why scams often seem disturbingly personal.

Practical tips:

• Be suspicious of messages that refer to personal data.
• Don’t confirm information just because the sender “knows” something about you.
• Reduce what is available by removing your data from broker databases

Myth number 3: “Retirees are not the target because they are cautious”

Reality: Retirees are one of the more objective groups.

Because? Because scammers assume:

• Stable income from pensions or benefits
• More savings
• Greater confidence in official-looking messages
• Less familiarity with new scam tactics

Many scams are designed specifically for retirees, from Medicare updates to fake government notices and investment fraud. A recent widespread scam involves fake calls from the IRS and the illegitimate “Tax Resolution Oversight Department” trying to steal your money.

Practical tips:

• Never act on urgent requests involving benefits or finances.
• Verify messages by contacting organizations directly
• Encourage family discussions about scams and warning signs.
• Eliminate publicly available data that helps scammers profile retirees

Myth #4: ‘Credit monitoring will stop identity theft’

Reality: Credit monitoring only tells you after something has gone wrong.

It does not prevent scammers from:

• Addressing you
• Attempt to take over accounts
• Using your information in phishing or social engineering scams

Think of credit monitoring like a smoke alarm: useful, but it doesn’t prevent a fire.

Practical tips:

• Use credit monitoring as a backup, not your main defense
• Lock accounts with strong passwords and two-factor authentication
• Reduce exposure by deleting your data before it is misused

Myth #5: “There is nothing you can do about data brokers”

Reality: You can take control, but doing it manually is time-consuming and frustrating.

Most data broker sites allow opt-outs, but each has a different process. Some require forms. Others need identity verification. And many add their data again months later. That’s why I recommend a data removal service. These services contact hundreds of data brokers on your behalf, request deletion of your personal information, and continue to monitor them so that it doesn’t silently reappear. For families and retirees, this is even more important because once scammers connect family members through broker profiles, multiple people can become targets.

While no service can guarantee complete removal of your data from the Internet, a data deletion service is truly a smart choice. They are not cheap, and neither is your privacy. These services do all the work for you by actively monitoring and systematically deleting your personal information from hundreds of websites. It’s what gives me peace of mind and has proven to be the most effective way to delete your personal data from the Internet. By limiting the information available, you reduce the risk of scammers cross-referencing leak data with information they can find on the dark web, making it harder for them to target you.

Check out my top picks for data removal services and get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already available on the web by visiting Cyberguy.com.

Get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already available on the web: Cyberguy.com.

ILLINOIS DHS DATA BREACH EXPOSES RECORDS OF 700,000 RESIDENTS

Why Identity Theft Often Starts Long Before You Realize

Identity theft rarely begins with a dramatic moment.

It usually starts with:

• Data quietly collected over the years.
• Profiles that become more detailed over time.
• Information sold and resold without your knowledge

By the time fraud shows up on a credit report, often the damage has already been done.

What you can do during Identity Theft Awareness Week

If there is one takeaway this week, it is this: reducing exposed data reduces risk.

1) Be skeptical of unexpected messages

Don’t trust surprise emails, text messages, or calls, even if they appear to come from a bank, retailer, or government agency. Scammers often copy logos, languages, and phone numbers to appear legitimate.

2) Check the requests on your own

If a message claims there is a problem with an account, pause and verify it independently. Use the official website or phone number you already know, not the one in the message.

3) Reduce your digital footprint with a data erasure service

Remove your personal information from data broker websites that collect and sell names, addresses, phone numbers and other details. A data removal service can help you do just that. Less exposed data means fewer opportunities for identity thieves. Check out my top picks for data removal services and get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already available on the web by visiting Cyberguy.com.

4) Activate two-factor authentication

Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) where available. Even if a criminal obtains your password, 2FA adds a second barrier that can stop account takeover.

5) Strengthen your account security

Use strong, unique passwords for important accounts and avoid reusing them across multiple sites. A reputable password manager can securely store and generate complex passwords, making it easy to stay protected without having to memorize everything.

Next, check to see if your email has been exposed in previous breaches. Our #1 pick for password manager includes a built-in breach scanner that checks to see if your email address or passwords have appeared in known breaches. If you discover a match, immediately change any reused passwords and protect those accounts with new, unique credentials.

Check out the best expert-reviewed password managers of 2026 at Cyberguy.com.

6) Use identity theft protection software

Consider identity theft protection software that monitors your personal information, alerts you to suspicious activity, and helps you respond quickly if something goes wrong. Some services also help with data broker removal and recovery if your identity is compromised.

Identity theft companies can monitor personal information such as your social security number (SSN), phone number, and email address, and alert you if it is sold on the dark web or used to open an account. They can also help you freeze your bank and credit card accounts to prevent further unauthorized use by criminals.

See my tips and best options on how to protect yourself from identity theft at Cyberguy.com.

7) Help family members stay protected

Scammers often target older people and teenagers. Guide family members through these steps, help them secure their accounts, and encourage them to slow down before responding to urgent messages.

Kurt’s Key Takeaways

Identity theft is not about being careless; it’s about how much information is floating around without your permission. The fewer places your data is found online, the harder it will be for scammers to use it against you. Taking action now will not only protect you this week; can reduce scams, fraud attempts, and identity theft risks year-round.

Which of these myths did you believe and what personal information do you think already exists about you without your consent? Let us know by writing to us at Cybe rguy.com.

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