Protecting Digital Life After Leaving Your Abuser

You’ve made the break, and hope you never have to deal with your abuser again! Modern times require that you take specific steps to prevent your abuser from victimizing you further through cyberstalking, identity theft, or otherwise disrupting your life. Here are some very clear steps you should take in order to keep your abuser at arm’s length:

• Make a new email address for yourself that your abuser doesn’t know.
• Consider ditching your smartphone for a pay-as-you-go phone.
• If you can’t part with your smartphone, at least change your phone number.
• Never use an existing account or link to one that your abuser can be alerted to.
• Change all of your passwords to new ones that couldn’t be guessed by your abuser.
• Link into a virtual private network (VPN) whenever you use the internet in order to remain anonymous.
• When you sign an apartment lease or apply for a home loan, do so on a VPN.
• Apply for Florida’s address confidentiality program to keep your abuser from discovering where you live.
• Close any joint accounts you share with your abuser.
• Choose privacy settings on social media accounts and your devices that will keep you safe.
• Either get a new computer and phone or restore your devices to factory settings.
• Make sure your security software is effective and maintained.
• Use a router that has automatic updates, and be sure it has protections that are network-level.
• Consider staying off of social media altogether.
• Turn off any location tracking apps.
• Block your abuser on your phone, social media (if you have it), and email accounts.

If your Data is Breached 

Abusers who can’t stand the idea that you’ve moved on may try all kinds of crazy things to find you.  If they discover a way to breach your data, here are some things you should do immediately:

• Freeze your credit with Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion, which are the three major credit bureaus. and then monitor it carefully—perhaps even by hiring a credit monitoring company. Your abuser may be trying to cause financial havoc for you or may simply be trying to find out how you’re spending your money. Either way, it’s none of their business.
• Change all of your passwords, using random numbers, symbols, and letters, and then use a password manager to keep track of them all. Use an authentication app rather than relying on two factor authentications.

Legal Protections from Domestic Violence 

The experienced Miami domestic violence attorneys at the Law Office of Julia Kefalinos understand the challenges for survivors of domestic violence and always work to ensure your safety and opportunity. To discuss your situation, schedule a confidential consultation in our Miami office today.