What’s changed 1 year after Equifax breach

It has been one year since credit monitoring company Equifax announced that a “cybersecurity incident” had exposed names, Social Security numbers, birthdates, addresses and, in some cases, driver's license and credit card numbers from nearly 148 million Americans, which means that it's time for an identity theft prevention check-in.

Although the Equifax incident affected nearly half of the U.S. population, it may shock you to learn that not too much has happened in the aftermath. Sure, there were congressional hearings, Equifax’s CEO Richard Smith resigned and, early this year, the company signed a consent order with regulators from eight states agreeing to improve oversight mechanisms, security audits and threat monitoring.

But if you were hoping for serious consumer reform, forget it. That means that the onus is still on you. Here are nine things you need to know about ID theft prevention:

If you want access to credit, whether to buy a house or a car or to open up a credit card account, you will be handing over your personal information to a credit-reporting agency. While you may have heard of "the big three," Equifax, Experian and TransUnion, according to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, there are hundreds out there.

A fraud alert requires that a financial institution take steps to verify your identity before opening a new account, issuing an additional card or increasing the credit limit on an existing account. Alerts can make it a bit harder for criminals to mess with your file. They last 90 days, after which you can renew it.

A credit freeze on your credit file generally stops all access to your credit report, including by you. That means that if you need to access credit, you have to unfreeze your records, which can take a few days. State law and/or a consumer reporting company's policies dictate the availability of a freeze, which in some cases involves a small fee for placing or removing it. You need to contact each company directly to freeze your file: Equifax (800) 685-1111 (Automated, Option 3) or (888) 298-0045 (Live); Experian (888) 397-3742 (Option 2 followed by Option 2); TransUnion ((888) 909-8872).

If someone has used your information to make purchases or open accounts, file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission and print your Identity Theft Affidavit. Use that to file a police report and create your Identity Theft Report.

Review your credit report every 12 months at AnnualCreditReport.com. If you find an error, report it immediately and stay on top of the process. A new federal law going into effect this month allows you to check your kids' credit reports.

Review credit card statements and make sure that there are no fraudulent charges. While you're at it, enroll in a credit card notification program in which the bank alerts you to charges over a preset amount.

Guard your information. Don’t provide a business with your Social Security number just because they ask for it; don’t provide personal information over the phone, through snail mail or via the internet unless you have initiated the contact or you know with whom you are dealing; and beware of over-sharing on social media, where criminals are finding valuable information.

Change logins and passwords monthly, use password generators and sign up for twofactor authentication.

Don’t send financial information on unsecured wireless networks and when making purchases, use a credit card, which has more fraud protections under federal law than debit cards or online payment services.

Dolly Parton freezes leftovers. Sarah Jessica Parker dresses her kids in handme-downs. And Warren Buffett, the financial whiz and billionaire, still lives in the five-bedroom home in Omaha he bought in 1958 for a mere $31,500. And he never spends more than $3.17 on breakfast.

Are these just the quirky habits of the rich and famous? Not at all. They are a part of the reason these millionaires and billionaires acquired and have retained their wealth: by managing money effectively, efficiently and prudently. Yes, it takes more than not driving a fancy car or always making dinner at home, but small money moves add up.

When I ran my first company, I routinely paid myself last. I knew I was building my future.

What I didn’t realize is my penchant for penny-pinching wasn’t unusual. In fact, many rich people who once knew tough times have never discarded their desire to stretch a dollar or live humbly.

Zara founder Amancio Ortega, for instance, is one of the world’s wealthiest men, but he came from a humble background. He still dresses modestly and eats with employees in the company cafeteria, Money magazine reports.

Yes, you should enjoy the money you earn and treat yourself now and then, but we can all learn some ways to sit on cash instead of being profligate.

1. Live below your means

After purchasing his home in Omaha, Buffett settled down and never moved again, according to Business Insider. When he needs an escape, he has a family vacation home in Laguna Beach, Calif., which is on the market for $11 million. He bought the home for $150,000 in 1971, according to property records. Clearly, holding on to the property was a smart move on his part.

Mexican magnate Carlos

Slim hasn’t switched residences for four decades. The choice not to bounce around or buy several homes helps the bottom line.

Even if you never make the Forbes list of billionaires, it’s smart to lower your living costs.

That can apply to things big and small. Follow the 24-hour spending rule. If you are tempted to buy something, wait 24 hours. The delay allows you to shop around for a better deal and may even help you decide you really don’t need the item.

2. Buy in bulk

I’m a Costco habitue and an Amazon fan because I appreciate being able to purchase everyday items in large quantities. As long as they won’t sit on a shelf for eons or go bad, the decision to buy in bulk makes perfect sense.

Mark Cuban apparently agrees. In a Vanity Fair video, he advises buying two years’ worth of toothpaste or other household item whenever you see it on sale. Although you pay more up front, you save on the back end.

3. Invest in a reasonable vehicle

Don’t expect to see Mark Zuckerberg zipping around in a Ferrari. According to Business Insider, the frugal Facebook founder prefers to get from point to point in his Volkswagen GTI.

Evaluate the pragmatism of your own transportation. According to Carfax, vehicles can depreciate up to 25 percent annually.

Go easy on the upfront cost and try to keep your wheels on the road a long time. Find a reliable make and model and have it serviced regularly.

4. Fly economy class

Business and first class may tempt you with their decadence, but unless you can save up travel points and get a good deal, always fly economy. Even Ingvar Kamprad, the late Ikea founder, flew coach. His belief was that just because he could do something didn’t mean he should, and that included wasting dollars on luxury plane travel. First class comes with perks, no doubt, but you get to your destination just as quickly if you choose the cheap seats.

5. Use coupons

You probably don't have time to be an extreme couponer. Don’t let that stop you from clipping coupons or checking out discount payment apps like CrayPay that pays up to 10 percent of your bill. There also are coupon sites such as Passion for Savings and Hip 2 Save that can give you a money boost.

If you buy your beauty products at Ulta, join the rewards program to save money and always use an online coupon. Love Target? Get the Cartwheel app to stack up your savings.

Feeling weird about using coupons? Don’t. If Kristen Bell and other stars use coupons to stretch their income, anyone should. Coupons are a common way for everyone to spend their dollars wisely.

Financial success involves more than getting a huge raise or hitting the big time with an up-and-coming stock. The road to becoming and staying well-off involves making smart day-to-day decisions. No, you don’t want fries with that.

JRCASAS/DREAMSTIME