(BPT) - Resourceful thieves and cybercriminals continue to find new ways to hack U.S. consumers’ sensitive personal information. Dumpster diving, stolen or lost wallets and mail fraud should still be concerns, but the digital age of tablets, smartphones, PCs and Wi-Fi networks leaves people more vulnerable than ever.

Have you ever stored credit card information on your phone for added convenience to make payments in a checkout lane? Do you ever store passwords in apps to transfer funds between accounts? And what’s to keep hackers from accessing a wireless network you check your email on while you’re grabbing a quick cup of coffee?

”More than 15.4 million people a year will experience identity theft, with an average loss of more than $1,000,” said Jane Li, Mercury Insurance’s director of product management. “When one access point closes due to added levels of security, cyberattackers find another. Insurance companies like Mercury provide services that allow homeowners and renters to enjoy the convenience of accessing their connected devices at home and on the go, while also helping to protect customers from the potentially devastating effects of criminal infiltration, cyberextortion and identity theft.”

The following five do’s and don’ts can help stop criminals in their tracks and protect your connected devices, as well as your electronic identity.

1. Do power down your devices. This disables the internet connection, cutting off access to any personal information stored on your computer, tablet or phone. Unattended machines, especially if you are asleep or leave them at home while on vacation, are easy targets for hackers.
2. Don’t connect to unsecured wireless networks. Information accessed on an open network, including email passwords and sensitive bank information, is fair game for hackers. Don’t make their jobs easier. Turn off Wi-Fi access on your devices unless it’s a password-protected network you trust.
3. Do monitor your children’s device usage. It’s a good idea to limit use of computers, tablets and phones to public areas within the home like the living room or kitchen. This makes it easier for parents to keep an eye on who their kids are communicating with, especially on social media or gaming sites, to help prevent the sharing of sensitive information like full names, addresses or other things that can be used for identity theft or other potentially dangerous activities.
4. Don’t discard important paperwork without shredding it. If it has your name and address, thieves can take advantage and open an account using your information. Remember to shred expired insurance documents, vehicle registrations, bills, loan pre-qualifications and other paperwork that would allow someone to call in pretending to be you. Check your credit reports at least twice a year to ensure all accounts opened in your name are valid.
5. Do install recommended updates. Smartphone, computer, tablet and smart TV manufacturers, among other providers of connected devices, offer periodic software updates to protect against potential security breaches. Chances are, if an update is recommended, hackers have already discovered a way to access your personal property and information, so keep your software up to date.

Li recommends homeowners and renters speak with their local insurance agent to learn more about the endorsements they may be able to add to existing policies to help safeguard their finances if their identities are compromised or connected devices are attacked.

“It can be daunting to try to regain your financial footing if a criminal takes advantage of you,” said Li. “Insurance exists to help protect consumers from unexpected events and, in this case, it’s better to be safe than sorry.”

Your Broadcast TV Channels May Change Frequencies

(Family Features) If you rely on an antenna for your TV viewing, changes between now and July 2020 may affect reception of some of your channels.

As part of the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) work to make more airwaves available for high-speed mobile broadband services, some TV stations in cities across the United States are changing their over-the-air broadcast frequencies.

While the channel numbers you see on the TV are not changing, viewers will need to rescan their televisions to update to the new frequencies so they can continue receiving those channels. Viewers will not need to buy a new TV or purchase a converter box. Only those who use an antenna to watch local channels need to rescan their TVs; cable and satellite subscribers are not affected by these changes.

Not all channels are changing and the changes are happening on a rolling basis, so not all channels will change at the same time. Some viewers may need to rescan their televisions and converter boxes multiple times over the transition period. Viewers should look for additional announcements on local channels and rescan when those changes take place.

Consider these common transition questions to ensure you’re prepared:

How will I know it’s time to scan?
Some local TV channels will change frequencies at various times through mid-2020. Viewers should be on the lookout for public service announcements, “crawls” running across the bottom of TV screens and other notifications from local stations announcing “rescan days” on which viewers will need to rescan. Broadcasters will give viewers at least 30 days of notice that their frequency change is approaching.

A good rule of thumb is to rescan your TV anytime you notice a channel missing. If you haven’t rescanned in a while, you may be surprised by how many channels are now available.

How many people will be affected by the transition?
Millions of Americans nationwide who watch television for free with an antenna will be affected.

What is the advantage of making the frequency changes?
The benefit is that more airwaves will be available to meet consumer demand for increased mobile broadband capacity, the new 5G and other advanced high-speed mobile broadband services being developed.

How can I find out which channels are changing?
The FCC website has an interactive map that allows viewers to insert their address to see which local channels are making a transition in their market. To access the map, visit fcc.gov/media/engineering/dtvmaps.

Once you enter your location information, such as city and state or zip code, you will be able to view a list of stations in your area. Stations that are changing frequencies will have an “R” in the last column marked “IA.” Click on the station to seethe time period during which each affected station will make the change. To find the specific “rescan day” for a particular station, watch for its on-air announcements and notices or check its website for information.

For more information and tips on how to rescan, visit fcc.gov/TVrescan or call 1-888-CALLFCC (1-888-225-5322).

Photo courtesy of Getty Images

How to Build the Perfect Playlist

(Family Features) Music can set the mood, no matter the occasion. Whether you’re playing jazz classics to give your dinner party a sophisticated ambience or blasting the latest dance-pop tracks for motivation on the treadmill, music is able to provide the soundtrack to different aspects of peoples’ lives.

These days, playlists are one of the most convenient ways to organize music, and there’s no limit to the number of playlists you can create. It can also be surprisingly simple to make the perfect playlist to match your music needs. These tips can help you on your way:

Tailor the Playlist to Your Audience
Crafting your playlist based on who you’re playing it for, like guests at a house party or family barbecue, can help you select the proper vibe, tempo, length and theme. The goal should always be to include songs the majority of your guests will enjoy. Just keep in mind that if you’re relying on a single playlist for an occasion, you’ll want to ensure that it’s long enough to last until the end of the party. A good rule of thumb is at least 30-40 tracks.

Make It Personal
Because different genres and styles of music are available in abundance, your songs and playlists can reflect who you are and the way you feel. A music streaming service like Spotify allows listeners to build personal playlists as well as listen to expert-curated playlists on-demand using its free mobile app.

When taking advantage of those custom features, be sure to clearly identify your lists with ultra-personal names. For example, instead of naming a list “Summer 2018,” go for something like “Favorite Poolside Beats 2018.” If you need help, the service can also help populate the playlist to at least 15 songs by suggesting tracks based on your playlist title and music tastes. Create your own personalized playlist and find more information atSpotify.com.

Mix It Up
Keep people interested with a wide variety of slow and fast, new and classic, and various musical styles. Don’t be afraid to combine genres or decades. This ensures you strike chords among listeners of various ages and backgrounds. When in doubt, add classic crowd-pleasers and chart-topping hits of today.

Update Often
If you’re creating a playlist that you plan to keep going back to, like a workout playlist, keep in mind you can update it whenever you like to keep it fresh. Switching out songs from time to time can make the listening experience more enjoyable.

Collaborate with Others
Allowing friends or guests to have access to your playlist and make their own additions ensures that everyone’s music tastes are represented. Another plus: it’s a fun way to discover hot new tracks and artists your friends and family are listening to.

Find Inspiration
If you’re short on time or just looking for some new ideas, check out pre-existing playlists that are already curated for your occasion. For example, on Spotify you can find options like “Afternoon Acoustic” for relaxing or “Songs to Sing in the Car” for a long road trip to the beach with friends.

Music is both universal and personal, so let your playlists tell a story about you. If you’ll use the list for entertaining, sprinkle in some extra flavor with tracks that appeal to the broader group or specific guests, and just like that, you have a winning playlist for your next party.

Photo courtesy of Getty Images