Don’t Let Fraud Ruin Your Credit Glow-Up

🥷 So… What Even Is Identity Theft?

It’s when someone pretends to be you — using your info (like your SSN, name, or account numbers) to open accounts, rack up debt, or worse.

Common scams to watch out for:

• Phishing texts that say “your package is delayed,” but actually they steal your info

• Fake job offers (especially remote jobs asking for your bank info)

• Public Wi-Fi networks that aren’t secure

• Answering spam calls — my motto is “If you don’t know the number, don’t answer, and if they are somebody you know or not spam they will call you again”

Why it matters:

Once someone steals your identity, they can open credit cards in your name, rack up debt you didn’t spend, and tank your credit score faster than a Friday night DoorDash binge. Basically, they can use your info to book a 5-star resort vacation all funded by you personally…not good.

☝️ Why Credit Cards > Debit Cards When It Comes to Fraud

Let’s clear this up real quick:

Credit cards come with a safety net.
If someone uses your credit cards fraudulently, your liability is usually $0, and the money isn’t your money yet. You just call it in, and boom, the charge is reversed.

Debit cards = your actual cash.
If your debit card gets hit? That’s your real money gone — and it might take days or weeks to get it back (if you even do). Meanwhile, you’re stuck figuring out rent, groceries, or that weekend trip you already booked.

Credit cards act like a financial buffer zone.

Use them especially for:

• Online purchases

• Travel

• Anywhere fraud risk is higher

Yes, we know credit cards can feel risky — like free money just begging to be overspent.
But here’s the trick:

Use your credit card like it’s a debit card.
Only spend what you already have in your checking account. That way, you get the fraud protection benefits without falling into the “I’ll pay it off next month” trap that leads to a spiral of debt and stress.

👨🏽‍🏫 Storytime: I Got Frauded :|

One day, I saw a weird charge pop up on my debit card — something I definitely didn’t buy.

Cue the panic. I had to:

• Lock the card

• Call the bank

• Wait for a new one to arrive

• Crossing my fingers, hoping my money came back

It sucked.

Ever since? I started using my credit card for anything risky — online shopping, ordering food, booking flights. (Plus, you get those sweet, sweet rewards, you wouldn’t otherwise get for using your debit card)

Lesson learned: I’d much rather deal with a frozen credit card than see money vanish from my actual bank account.

🚩 Red Flags to Watch For

If you notice any of these, don’t wait:

• Bills or debt notices for things you didn’t buy

• Accounts you never opened showing up on your credit report

• You suddenly stop getting important mail (address may have been changed fraudulently)

🧠 If You Think You’ve Been Hit — Act fast

1. Freeze your credit with all 3 bureaus:
   Equifax, Experian, TransUnion. It’s free and stops new accounts from being opened.

2. Report it at IdentityTheft.gov. Super simple and legit.

3. Call the fraud department of any affected bank, credit card, or service.

4. Set up fraud alerts + review your credit reports monthly for a while.

🛡️Prevention = Protection

• Use strong passwords + two-factor authentication (2FA) for all your financial accounts.

• Don’t click random links — especially in DMs or texts. No matter how juicy the offer sounds.

• Use a password manager (no more reusing “password123”).

• Lock your credit proactively if you’re not applying for anything.

Check your credit report 3x a year for free at AnnualCreditReport.com

💳 Protect Your Credit Glow-Up ✨