Protect Your Identity and Accounts Online When You're Starting Over
When you've been away for a while — in prison, in treatment, or just off the grid — the online world can feel like it moved on without you. Accounts you used to have may be locked or compromised. New accounts ask for things you're not sure you should share. And scammers specifically look for people who are rebuilding.
This guide is a calm, one-sitting checklist to get your digital life locked down before you start selling or applying for anything online.
1. Your email is the master key
Almost every account — banking, selling platforms, social media — can be reset by email. If someone gets into your email, they can get into everything else. So start here:
- Change your email password to something long and unique. A phrase of four or five random words works well and is easier to remember than random characters.
- Turn on two-step verification (sometimes called 2-step or 2FA). Use an authenticator app if you can; a text-message code is still far better than nothing.
- Check the recovery phone number and recovery email. Make sure they're yours and current.
2. Lock your phone
Your phone holds your email, your money apps and your messages. Set a PIN of at least six digits (not your birthday) or use fingerprint/face unlock, and set the screen to lock after a minute or two of no use. Turn on your phone's "find my device" feature so you can locate or erase it if it's lost.
3. Stop reusing passwords
If one site gets hacked and you used the same password elsewhere, criminals try it everywhere. Your phone has a built-in password manager (Google Password Manager on Android, iCloud Keychain on iPhone). Let it create and remember unique passwords for every account.
4. Check your credit — for free
Identity theft is common, especially for people who weren't able to monitor their accounts for a long time. In the US, you can get free credit reports from Equifax, Experian and TransUnion through AnnualCreditReport.com — the official site. Be careful: copycat sites with similar names try to charge you.
Look for accounts, addresses or loans you don't recognize. If you find something wrong, IdentityTheft.gov (run by the Federal Trade Commission) walks you through reporting it and fixing it step by step. You can also place a free fraud alert or credit freeze with the bureaus.
5. Share less in public
Scammers build profiles from small details. On public social profiles:
- Remove your full birthday, home address and phone number.
- Don't post photos of IDs, paperwork, checks or letters with case numbers.
- Think twice about posting where you'll be and when.
For your online work, you can use a business name publicly. Selling platforms and payment apps will still need your legal name and tax details privately — that's normal and required. Only enter it on the official site, never in reply to a message.
6. Background-check worries
Many people with a record worry about what shows up online. A few honest points:
- You don't owe strangers on the internet your history. Your products and your helpfulness speak for you.
- Legitimate platforms like Payhip and Gumroad generally don't require a background check to sell digital products. Payment processors do verify identity, which is different from a criminal background check.
- If you're applying for jobs, our guide on writing a résumé that handles a gap honestly can help you prepare.
- Some states allow record sealing or expungement. A local legal aid office can tell you whether you qualify; it's often free.
7. Turn on alerts
Turn on login alerts for your email and transaction alerts for any money app. A quick "was this you?" notification can stop a problem in minutes instead of weeks.
8. Know the scams aimed at you
People starting over get targeted with fake jobs, fake grants, "credit repair" schemes and requests to move money. Read our full guide, How to Spot Online Income Scams Before They Cost You, and remember the golden rule: no legitimate opportunity asks you to pay to get paid, or to move money for strangers.
You're ready
Once your email is locked, your phone is secured and you've checked your credit, you've built a strong foundation. Now you can start creating and selling with a lot less worry. When you're ready, the free 7-day course picks up from here.
Common questions
What's the single most important security step?
Turn on two-step verification for your email account. Almost every other account can be reset through your email, so protecting it protects everything else.
Should I use my real name online?
For selling products and getting paid, platforms require your legal name behind the scenes. Publicly, you can use a business or brand name. Use your real name where trust matters, like a résumé or a professional profile.
How can I check if my identity has been stolen?
In the US you can get free credit reports from each of the three credit bureaus through AnnualCreditReport.com, the official site. Look for accounts you don't recognize. If you find fraud, IdentityTheft.gov (run by the FTC) gives a step-by-step recovery plan.
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