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How to Prevent Identity Theft Online

There are many different ways your personal information can be stolen electronically – but preventing identity theft online is possible. Use these simple tips on how to prevent identity theft online – and create a safer virtual environment for yourself and your family.

Password Protection

Identity Theft Protection

You can help protect your credit and your identity with ITAC Sentinel® Plus Identity Theft Protection.

First 30 days at no cost, then $12.99 per month!**

Enroll now† | View details

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Preventing identity theft online starts with having a secure password.
  • Never share your passwords or PINs with anyone.
  • Never write your passwords down where they could be easily found by others.
  • When creating passwords, don't use information that could be easily linked to you (like your birth date, Social Security number, phone number, or the names of pets or hobbies).
  • Use passwords that contain both letters and numbers, preferably not recognizable words (example: 7djskDer)
  • The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) provides helpful password tips at http://www.onguardonline.gov/stopthinkclick.html.
  • Use a unique password for each system. Always use a different password for each system you access.
  • Change your online account passwords often. We recommend that you change your passwords every 30 days.

Online Security

  • If you are providing financial information or placing an order online, be sure the site is secure. Look for a URL that begins with "https://" and the "closed padlock" (secure lock) in the lower right hand corner of your browser.
  • Do business only with financial institutions and online merchants that you know and trust.
  • Watch out for copycat sites that may try to look like a financial institution. Be sure you are using the correct web address for your bank.
  • Don't reply to any e-mail or pop-up message that requests you update or provide personal information.
  • Never leave your computer unattended while using any online banking or investing service.
  • Always log off completely and close your browser when you are finished with a secure session.
  • Only access your personal financial information from a computer you "trust." Internet kiosks and cyber cafes are not as secure as your personal computer.
  • Install, use and regularly update anti-virus and anti-spyware software on your computer.
  • Make sure your computer is up-to-date with security patches for your operating system and applications. Windows users should turn the Auto-Update feature on. Security patches may be found at vendor's websites. Check the sites periodically as these patches are frequently updated.
  • Consider using a personal firewall to prevent hackers from invading your personal computer, especially if you are using DSL or a cable modem to access the Internet. A firewall can make you virtually "invisible" online and will help to block out communications from unauthorized sources.
  • If you use wireless networking, make sure to turn on all security features such as WPA encryption. Change the default password and SSID on your wireless router.

e-Mail Safety

Learn how to prevent identity theft online by using the latest techniques in e-mail safety.
  • If an offer received via e-mail or on a website sound too good to be true, it probably is.
  • E-mail is not secure. Never e-mail personal financial information such as account numbers or your Social Security number.
  • Don't open e-mail or attachments from senders you don't know. And even when you know the source, exercise caution. Attachments may be Trojan Horse programs that compromise your computer's security.
  • Beware of e-mail scams. Never respond to unsolicited e-mail or click a link within a suspicious e-mail asking you to validate your account information or provide personal information.
  • Use e-mail filtering software to screen for "spam" and identify suspect messages.
  • Turn off the "preview" function of your e-mail program. The feature can be a security risk.
  • Use secure messaging when it's available. Our Online Banking application has a secure messaging feature available once you have successfully logged in.

**Unless you call to cancel your membership within the 30-day trial period, you will be billed $12.99 per month that you continue your membership. You can call to cancel your membership at any time.

ITAC, ITAC Sentinel, and the associated design are trademarks of the Identity Theft Assistance Corporation.

Itac Sentinel® Plus Identity Theft Protection is offered to TD Bank customers through a service agreement with USI Insurance Services LLC or USA Affinity. USI receives compensation in return for the provision of services in conjunction with the offering and servicing of this program.

†By clicking on this link you are leaving our website and entering a third-party website over which we have no control.

Neither TD Bank US Holding Company, nor its subsidiaries or affiliates, is responsible for the content of third party sites hyper-linked from this page, nor do they guarantee or endorse the information, recommendations, products or services offered on third party sites.

Third party sites may have different Privacy and Security policies than TD Bank US Holding Company. You should review the Privacy and Security policies of any third party website before you provide personal or confidential information.