Episode 10: Identity Theft — How to Stop Someone Pretending to Be You

Welcome to another episode of FamilyCyber.ie — where we share simple digital safety habits and online privacy tips for those of us who want to make life harder for the digital Voldemorts out there.

🟢 This episode is based on the original Spanish version of CiberseguridadParaFamilias.com. It’s been translated using AI so more people can access these tips in English.

Identity theft isn’t just about stolen credit cards—it can happen through photos, phone numbers, or even your name.

🔍 What Is Identity Theft?

Identity theft happens when someone uses your personal info—like your name, profile picture, or phone number—without permission to:

Apply for loans in your name
Impersonate you to scam your contacts
Create fake social profiles
Commit extortion (like sextortion)
Send phishing attacks from your profile

📌 Real-world example: Scammers steal your photos, create a fake account, and ask your friends for money.
📌 Extortion example: Threats using manipulated images—a case seen in the documentary “Diario de mi sextorsión.”

⚠️ Warning Signs

Notifications for accounts you didn’t create
Friends report weird messages from your profile
Alerts for purchases or loans you didn’t request
Phishing-style messages coming from “you”

🚨 What To Do If It Happens

Report immediately to the police
Notify your contacts so they don’t fall victim
Report fake profiles on social media
Change your email and account passwords
Enable fraud alerts via your bank

🔒 How to Prevent Identity Theft

Use strong, unique passwords
Enable two-factor authentication (2FA)
Limit sharing of personal info on social media
Check your bank statements regularly
Google yourself to detect fake profiles
Be cautious—even messages from “friends” may be scams

💡 Final Words

✅ Think before posting personal info
✅ Use extra security like 2FA
✅ Act quickly if something feels off

Because in cybersecurity, knowledge is your best defense.

📌 This has been another episode of FamilyCyber.ie — where we share simple digital safety habits and online privacy tips for those of us who want to make life harder for the digital Voldemorts out there.