Many online services gather huge amounts of data, which can be shared with advertisers and other third parties. By simply using an app, you could be sharing permissions with two or three additional sources without realizing it. If a source that stores your data is breached, your information could be at risk.
An identity thief needs just a few key pieces of stolen data (think your full name, birth date, or Social Security number) to unlock your financial accounts, credit, or even medical benefits.
And since companies and organizations across the web collect and store your personal information, it’s easier than ever for fraudsters to steal your sensitive details.
All of today’s data collection aside, it is possible to shop, work, and browse online without constantly worrying about your digital footprint.
How identity thieves get your personal data
While there are still old-school ways of obtaining your personal information, like digging for paper bank statements, thieves are increasingly logging on to steal personal details.
And there’s a lot of personal information to be found on the internet.
Many online services advertised as “free” (such as apps, social media sites, and email providers) are gathering huge amounts of data, which can be shared with third parties, such as payment processors or advertisers. By simply using an app, you could be sharing permissions with two or three additional sources without realizing it.
This might be detailed in a company's privacy policy, which is why it's important to read these policies carefully and ensure that you are comfortable with the company's data collection practices.
The erosion of online privacy: Data sharing and surveillance
It may not seem like a big deal that Facebook knows your birthday or that Google knows your favorite websites, but you might not realize the level of personal detail you’re sharing across the internet.
Your phone could be transmitting data — like your location, payment information, and browsing history — to several sources, including third parties, without your knowledge.
Some sources suggest that digital surveillance goes even deeper. For example, your TV may be collecting audio and video, while grocery stores and billboards contain devices that track your movements to help marketers deliver highly targeted ads.
In some instances, this isn't a bad thing, since businesses can use this information to improve their services and better understand their customers. But hyper-targeting like this can pose privacy concerns because it makes advertisements very intimate and specific in nature.
What’s worse: If one or more of the apps, sites, and advertisers that gather your data are hacked, and a fraudster is able to cobble enough of those details together to convincingly pose as you, you’re at risk of identity theft.
Each time your information is involved in a breach — like the 2023 MOVEit data breach or the 2022 LastPass data breach that impacted millions of people — it becomes easier for someone to steal your identity.
The consequences of identity theft
Knowing all this, it’s fair to wonder: what’s the fallout for this type of fraud?
Without an identity protection service looking out for your details, it can take months or even years to notice that your identity has been stolen. And, by that point, it may have been used to fuel multiple types of fraud.
Synthetic identity theft can be particularly hard to pinpoint and untangle. With any type of identity fraud, though, you may spend many months and many thousands of dollars working toward recovery.
Even after that, the effects of a bad case of identity theft can linger. Your credit score could dip, making it difficult to secure a mortgage or buy a car. Even your very health could be at risk: a thief using your information to fraudulently obtain health care could alter your medical records, potentially leading to issues in your own treatment in the future.
How to protect your privacy online
All this may sound intense, but don't panic: If you’re an Allstate Identity Protection member, you’ll never be left in the dark
It’s undoubtedly convenient to tap, swipe, and click through errands that once took much longer in the physical world. Plus, our devices help us stay connected with loved ones near and far.
We want members like you to keep loving the internet, so we offer features to help you better manage your digital life:
Visualize your data trail to understand your risk: The Allstate Digital Footprint® offers a simple way for you to see the online accounts associated with your email address and send privacy requests to companies.
Set customizable alerts: When enabled, we monitor your credit, social media, and financial accounts, so you can act quickly to minimize damage.
Sign up for dark web monitoring: Add additional key details, such as account numbers and IP addresses, to our dark web monitoring tool, so we can let you know right away if we find your information where it doesn’t belong.
If you do experience identity theft, our Customer Care team is available around the clock to restore your identity.
