Identity Protection Strategies For Domestic Abuse Survivors

Summary

In a concise two sentence summary focused on legal and cybersecurity insights: Domestic abuse survivors face serious cybersecurity and privacy threats from abusers, requiring extra precautions to secure accounts, protect sensitive information, and limit public exposure of personal data. Legal remedies and support services are available to help survivors navigate these complex technical and privacy challenges as they seek to safely leave abusive situations and rebuild their lives.

Introduction

Leaving an abusive relationship is one of the most difficult and dangerous things a person can do. Abusers often go to great lengths to maintain power and control over their victims, including stalking, harassment, and using technology to track and intimidate. For domestic abuse survivors, protecting one's identity and privacy is absolutely critical to stay safe and rebuild an independent life. This article outlines eight key strategies that survivors can use to safeguard their identity as they transition out of an abusive situation.

1. Secure Your Devices and Accounts

Abusive partners frequently use spyware or other malicious software to monitor a victim's online activity, emails, text messages, and location. When leaving an abusive relationship, it's crucial to secure all of your devices and accounts:

• Do a factory reset or get new devices that your abuser has never had access to, especially phones and computers.
• Change all of your passwords and PIN codes. Never reuse old passwords or use the same password across multiple accounts. Enable two-factor authentication wherever possible.
• Check the privacy settings on your social media accounts and limit what information is publicly visible. Block or unfriend your abuser and anyone close to them.
• Consider using a secure, encrypted messaging app like Signal for sensitive communications. Be cautious about what information you share electronically.

Even if you don't think your abuser is tech-savvy, it's best to assume they could gain access to your accounts or devices. Taking precautions from the beginning establishes a critical layer of security.

2. Set Up a Post Office Box

Survivors often need to prevent an abuser from knowing their physical location. However, you may still need a mailing address to receive important legal or financial documents, or to provide when applying for jobs or housing. Setting up a post office box that only you have access to allows you to maintain privacy while still being reachable by mail.

Choose a post office or shipping store located in a different area than where you live. Use this address anytime you need to provide a mailing address. Be very selective about who you give your PO box to - stick to essential legal, financial or employment needs. Don't use your PO box for anything that could reveal your true residential address.

3. Get a New Email Address and Phone Number

Your abuser likely knows your primary email address and phone number and may try to use them to contact or keep tabs on you. Setting up a new email address and phone number that your abuser doesn't know is an important boundary. Some tips:

• Choose an email address that doesn't contain your real name or identifying info. Consider using a free encrypted email service like ProtonMail.
• Get a new phone number and prepaid cell phone plan. Port your old number to a new device that you keep powered off and only check periodically for important calls/messages.
• Give your new contact info only to people you trust. Ask them not to share it with anyone. Provide your old email/number if you must give one to your abuser.
• Don't link your new email/phone to your old accounts or devices. Keep your new contact info completely separate from anything your abuser had access to.

Having a private channel of communication that your abuser can't access or manipulate is crucial for your autonomy and safety.

4. Place a Credit Freeze and Fraud Alert

Many abusers open credit accounts or take out loans in the victim's name as a means of control. To prevent this, place a credit freeze with all three credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion). A credit freeze locks down your credit reports and prevents anyone from fraudulently opening new accounts in your name.

You should also place a fraud alert on your credit reports. This notifies potential creditors that they should take extra identity verification steps before extending credit. Fraud alerts are free and last one year (can be renewed).

To place a credit freeze and fraud alert, contact each credit bureau individually via their websites or by phone. You will select a PIN code to temporarily "thaw" your credit when applying for new accounts. Never share this PIN with anyone.

Regularly check your credit reports for signs of fraud or unauthorized accounts. By law you are entitled to one free credit report from each bureau annually via annualcreditreport.com. Spacing them out allows you to check one report every 4 months.

5. Update Your Address with Government Agencies

When you move, it's important to update your address with key government agencies like the postal service, IRS, and your local DMV. However, many public records databases allow these addresses to be publicly searched.

To maintain your privacy when interacting with government agencies:

• Sign up for the Address Confidentiality Program if your state offers it. This allows survivors to use a substitute address for state and local government agencies and mail.
• Use your PO box address whenever possible vs. your residential address.
• Submit a written request to government agencies to not disclose your address due to safety concerns. Many have processes in place to protect survivor info.
• If you have a court order like a restraining order or order of protection, provide a copy when updating your address so they are aware of your situation.

It takes vigilance, but it is possible to stay "off the grid" and limit having your home address exposed through government records.

6. Be Cautious About Using Location Services

Many apps, especially social media and navigation apps, track users' real-time locations by default. Abusers can exploit smartphone location services to stalk victims. Some key tips:

• Adjust your phone settings to turn off location services for all but essential apps. Turn it on only when needed, like for navigation.
• Don't tag your location on social media posts. Wait until after you've left a location to post about being there.
• Turn off geotagging for photos you take on your phone. Many phones embed location coordinates in images by default.
• Be aware of IoT devices like wearables, car GPS, etc. that may be tracking your real-time location. Disable these unless critically needed.

Never post about your living or working arrangements or daily routine online, even in private groups or DMs. The more an abuser can learn about your location and habits, the more vulnerable you are.

7. Opt-out of Data Broker Websites

Data brokers are companies that collect personal data from various public and commercial sources and create detailed profiles on individuals. Data brokers often sell this info to anyone willing to pay, including abusers. Your address, phone, email, relatives, social profiles, court records, and more could be exposed on data broker sites.

To protect your info, you have to opt-out of each data broker site individually. This can be a painstaking process, as each site has different opt-out steps and requirements. However, the effort is worth it to get your info removed. Some tips:

• Google yourself to find which sites list your personal info. Focus on opting-out of the major data brokers first, like Whitepages, Spokeo, MyLife, Intelius, etc.
• Follow each site's opt-out instructions exactly. Some require a written request, copies of your ID, etc. Beware that you may need to provide some personal info to verify identity, so a PO box and alternate email address are helpful.
• Monitor data broker sites regularly. Sometimes listings may repopulate after a period of time, so you may need to opt-out again.
• Consider subscribing to a paid service like DeleteMe to handle data broker opt-outs on your behalf. Fees vary but this will save you time and ensure your removals remain in effect.

Removing your info from data brokers is a critical step to reduce your online footprint and make it much harder for an abuser to find you via internet searches.

8. Seek Help from a Privacy/Safety Advocate

Privacy and technology issues can be complex, especially when navigating the legal system and unique challenges as a domestic abuse survivor. While there are many things you can do on your own, reaching out to a trained advocate for support is invaluable.

A safety advocate can help you assess your risk, make a safety plan, and connect you with key local resources. Many domestic violence agencies now have staff with specialized knowledge on tech abuse issues who can give expert guidance.

Additionally, many law schools have legal clinics that provide free services to survivors, including helping with privacy protection orders, tech abuse issues, and more. Some other resources to consider:

• National DV Hotline: 1-800-799-7233 or www.thehotline.org (including online chat)
• Safety Net Project: www.techsafety.org (based at the National Network to End Domestic Violence)
• WomensLaw.org Hotline: 1-800-799-7233 or www.womenslaw.org (including email hotline)
• StopNCII.org: Help with removing intimate images posted online without consent (by Cyber Civil Rights Initiative)

You don't have to navigate this alone. Having an advocate on your side who understands both the privacy risks and legal remedies available can be invaluable for your safety and peace of mind.

Conclusion

Leaving an abusive relationship is a courageous act that can feel overwhelming. Abusers violate victims' privacy in an attempt to maintain control, so taking back your privacy is a powerful step towards freedom. While there's no one-size-fits-all solution, these eight strategies provide a practical framework for survivors looking to protect their identity.

If you suspect your devices or accounts have been compromised, don't hesitate to reach out to law enforcement or a domestic violence advocate for help. Documenting tech abuse can be important evidence for legal cases. Ultimately, the more we demystify these privacy threats, the more we empower survivors to live safe, autonomous lives free from abuse.

References

• annualcreditreport.com - Mentioned as a source for obtaining free credit reports from each of the three major credit bureaus annually.
• National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233 or www.thehotline.org - Provided as a resource for domestic violence survivors to get help, including through online chat.
• Safety Net Project: www.techsafety.org - Mentioned as a resource based at the National Network to End Domestic Violence that provides information on technology abuse issues.
• WomensLaw.org Hotline: 1-800-799-7233 or www.womenslaw.org - Listed as a resource for legal information for domestic violence survivors, including an email hotline.

For more insights, read our Divorce Decoded blog.