The NIL Edge – May 30, 2025

This week’s NIL Edge shines a spotlight on Identity Theft risks for athletes and execs!

Identity Theft: Why Athletes & High-Level Professionals Are Prime Targets

Whether you’re an elite athlete, rising NIL star, or seasoned executive, your visibility makes you a high-value target for identity thieves. You have what they want: name recognition, online presence, and financial opportunity.

With so much personal and professional information online — contracts, endorsement deals, social media, even press coverage — you’re at greater risk of:

• Fake accounts impersonating you

• Stolen bank or social login credentials

• Misused tax or health data

• Brand damage from unauthorized use of your name, image, or likeness

This checklist is designed to help you lock down your identity, avoid costly mistakes, and protect your future, on and off the field.

✔️Identity Theft Prevention Checklist for Athletes and Execs

BASICS: PERSONAL INFORMATION HYGIENE

• Use strong, unique passwords for each online account

  Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) on all accounts—especially financial and email

• Avoid sharing birthdate, SSN, or home address on public or unsecured platforms

• Never carry your Social Security card in your wallet

• Regularly shred sensitive documents (bank statements, tax records, medical bills)

• Don’t share personal info (phone number, address) on social media

• Use a secure, encrypted digital password manager

• Monitor postal mail for missing bills or strange credit offers

• Use Google Help to remove your personal contact info from Google

DEVICE & DIGITAL SECURITY

• Keep all software, apps, and antivirus tools updated

• Use screen lock + biometric login (FaceID, fingerprint) on phones and laptops

• Turn off Bluetooth and AirDrop in public spaces when not in use

• Don’t access sensitive accounts over public Wi-Fi (use a VPN instead)

• Be cautious with QR codes and suspicious links—verify sources before scanning or clicking

• Review app permissions—remove access to location, contacts, or camera if unnecessary

• Set devices to auto-lock after a short period of inactivity

• Avoid saving credit card info on shopping websites or browsers

SOCIAL MEDIA AWARENESS

• Limit personal details in bios (birthdate, location, family info)

• Review and adjust privacy settings—don’t default to public

• Disable location tagging in posts and stories

• Think before sharing photos of IDs, boarding passes, or legal documents

• Don’t engage with “fun” surveys/quizzes that ask about pets, schools, or first jobs (these are common security question bait)

• Use different usernames and emails for public profiles vs. private/personal ones

• Regularly search your name online to see what info is publicly available

FINANCIAL SAFEGUARDS

• Freeze or lock your credit at all three bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion

• Set up alerts for all banking and credit card transactions

• Use virtual cards for online purchases when available

• Review bank and credit statements at least monthly and look for unfamiliar charges

• Don’t respond to texts or emails from banks requesting info—always call directly

• Avoid accessing financial accounts from shared or borrowed devices

• Keep track of all recurring payments/subscriptions

NIL & PUBLIC-FACING RISK PREVENTION

• Trademark your name, logo, and personal brand assets

• Secure your domain name and consistent social handles across platforms

• Work only with verified, reputable NIL agents or brand reps

• Vet all brand partners. Ask who they’ve worked with and verify their identity

• Use contracts that include privacy and data handling clauses

• Don’t send scans of your driver’s license, passport, or W-9 unless absolutely necessary. Blur info when possible

• Be cautious with online scheduling tools. Don’t share too much personal info in auto-confirmation emails

• Audit your public image every 6 months: search engines, social media, and mentions in media

ONGOING MONITORING & PROTECTION

• Sign up for identity monitoring services that track dark web activity, social security use, and credit activity

• Use Google Alerts for your name, brand, or aliases

• Consider an annual data privacy audit (or work with a digital risk advisor)

• Have a response plan in case of breach or suspicious activity

• Keep a file of key contacts: banks, credit bureaus, legal advisor, NIL agent, etc.

• Consider getting a personal cyber insurance policy

WHAT TO DO IF YOU SUSPECT IDENTITY THEFT:

• Immediately freeze your credit

• Report suspicious activity to the FTC at identitytheft.gov

• File a police report, if needed, to document and support claims

• Contact banks, credit cards, and other affected institutions

• Change all compromised passwords

• Keep copies of all correspondence and evidence

Final Thought

Your name is your business. Your data is your power. Your security is non-negotiable.

The more public your profile becomes — whether you’re an athlete, executive, or influencer — the more critical it is to get serious about protecting your digital identity.

Want to Protect Your Brand Like a Pro?

Selby Strategies helps athletes, entrepreneurs, and professionals lock down their digital footprint before problems start. Let’s make sure your personal brand is safe, protected, and future-proofed.

Reach out for more info! [email protected]

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