Staff writer · Identity Theft & Fraud Prevention

Desmond Okafor

21 articles, newest first.

Identity Theft & Fraud Prevention
Got an IRS Letter About Identity Theft? Start Here
Find the notice number, check the letter is real, and keep copies of everything. A calm order of operations before you act.
Desmond OkaforAug 11, 2026
Identity Theft & Fraud Prevention
An IP PIN Won't Stop Every Tax Scam, But It Makes Yours Harder to Steal
The IRS six-digit Identity Protection PIN blocks thieves who try to file a return with only your Social Security number, and knowing how to get and use it can save you a rejected return.
Desmond OkaforAug 4, 2026
Identity Theft & Fraud Prevention
Credit Monitoring Is Not Identity Protection, and Neither Is a Lock
The two services sound alike, but one watches your credit reports and the other watches where your data surfaces, and both alert you only after something has already gone wrong.
Desmond OkaforJul 28, 2026
Identity Theft & Fraud Prevention
Identity Theft Insurance: What You Are Actually Buying
Monitoring, recovery help and insurance often arrive bundled under one friendly label, so read the written terms and check free protections before paying anything.
Desmond OkaforJul 20, 2026
Identity Theft & Fraud Prevention
What Identity Protection Services Actually Promise
Monitoring alerts you after the damage starts, and insurance usually reimburses recovery costs rather than stolen money, so know what you are buying before you pay.
Desmond OkaforJul 13, 2026
Identity Theft & Fraud Prevention
When Someone Asks for Your Social Security Number, Check Before You Answer
Whether you must give your SSN depends on who is asking, and a few questions before you answer can show whether you have a choice at all.
Desmond OkaforJul 6, 2026
Identity Theft & Fraud Prevention
The Recycling Bin Is Not a Shredder
Old statements, medical bills and dead hard drives can hand a stranger more than you meant to give, so sort what you keep, destroy what you don't, and wipe what you sell.
Desmond OkaforJun 28, 2026
Identity Theft & Fraud Prevention
A Stranger Gets Your Texts After a SIM Swap: Spot It Early and Lock Things Down
Attackers can move your phone number to a device they control, and then receive the codes that guard your money and email.
Desmond OkaforJun 21, 2026
Identity Theft & Fraud Prevention
When Your Email Gets Taken: Signs, Causes, and What to Do First
A hijacked inbox is often the first domino, so learn the warning signs, how attackers get in, and the order in which to respond.
Desmond OkaforJun 14, 2026

Desmond Okafor

Got an IRS Letter About Identity Theft? Start Here

An IP PIN Won't Stop Every Tax Scam, But It Makes Yours Harder to Steal

Credit Monitoring Is Not Identity Protection, and Neither Is a Lock

Identity Theft Insurance: What You Are Actually Buying

What Identity Protection Services Actually Promise

When Someone Asks for Your Social Security Number, Check Before You Answer

The Recycling Bin Is Not a Shredder

A Stranger Gets Your Texts After a SIM Swap: Spot It Early and Lock Things Down

When Your Email Gets Taken: Signs, Causes, and What to Do First