Identity Theft: Why Data Breaches Don't Stay Abstract

Nobody needs to take anything from your pocket to steal your identity. They don't need your wallet or your phone. They just need information that already exists, and most of it didn't come from you.

This episode breaks down how identity theft actually works and why it's happening more now than ever. It explains how personal data accumulates across breaches over time, why fragments from different incidents combine into usable profiles, and why most victims didn't make a reckless mistake but inherited risk from someone else's failure. The episode walks through why identity theft often feels delayed, how the consequences stack up from fraudulent accounts to relentless administrative cleanup, and closes with a starter kit covering email protection, credit freezes, account activity alerts, and the mindset shift of assuming exposure and planning accordingly.

Whether you've been affected by a breach and aren't sure what to do next or you just want to reduce your exposure before something happens, Plaintext with Rich lays out the practical steps.

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