How to Protect Your Identity: Simple Steps You Can Take to Stay Safe, Straight From the Experts

In this episode of PennyWise, host John Kiernan discusses the key elements of identity theft protection with a pair of experts who have a ton of experience protecting consumers: Eva Velasquez, CEO of the Identity Theft Resource Center, and William Kresse, aka Professor Fraud. 

Before taking the helm of the Identity Theft Resource Center, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping victims and educating the public, Eva worked with the San Diego District Attorney’s Office and the San Diego Better Business Bureau. William is an Associate Professor at Governors State University and the former Director of the Center for the Study of Fraud and Corruption. He’s also a Certified Fraud Examiner and a former Chicago Election Commissioner.

They provide valuable advice on how to keep your identity safe and what to do if some fraud sneaks past your defenses. 

More on this episode from WalletHub:

• Best Identity Theft Protection Services of 2026
• Identity Theft Insurance: $1 Million in Coverage 
• Identity Theft: What It Is, How It Happens & the Best Protection
• 6 Steps You Should Take Following Identity Theft 
• Bank Account Monitoring: Keep Your Cash Safe 
• Lost Wallet Assistance: Avoid Hassle & Identity Theft 
• Address Change Monitoring: Keep Your Mail Safe 

If you want to take your finances to the next level, sign up for a WalletHub Premium subscription. You can get personalized credit-improvement help, budgeting tools, identity protection and more. And if you want to find the best financial products, always add “WalletHub” to your search!  

PennyWise is a show about money, personal finance, investing and travel. The program features a variety of financial experts who can help save you money.