Protecting your identity when gaming online

* This article is sponsored by Equifax.

Online gaming is booming, and if you’re reading this, there’s a good chance it’s already part of your daily life. Maybe you’re the one logging on for team battles and creative builds, or maybe you’re the parent of a teen who is. Either way, gaming brings fun, connection, and competition into your home. But there’s risk that comes with that action, especially when it relates to privacy and identity protection.

Here’s what to know to help you stay safe, whether you’re playing or parenting.

Don’t share personal info, even with someone you’ve played with for months

Just because you’ve been gaming with someone for a while doesn’t mean you know who they really are. Even if they seem trustworthy, it’s not safe to share your name, location, school, or anything else personal.

Even small details like your birthday can give scammers a head start. A good rule to follow? Treat your personal info like a toothbrush – don’t share it, and replace it if it’s been exposed. 

Don’t click on random links or download unknown files

A flashy new skin pack. A link to free V-Bucks or Robux. If it doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t.

Phishing scams are on the rise in the gaming world. They often come through in-game chats or Discord servers, and one wrong click can give hackers access to your account.

Only make purchases from official game stores and platforms. And if someone tries to pressure you with a limited-time offer, just ignore them and keep playing.

Use strong, unique passwords

We know passwords can be a pain. But if you’ re using the same password for everything, you’re basically handing scammers a master key to your digital home. If one platform gets breached, they can try your login on other sites too.

Whether you’re a teen with five gaming accounts or a parent managing multiple logins, use unique, complex passwords for each site. And you don’t have to worry about remembering all those passwords if you use a password manager like NordPass, which is included with a subscription to Equifax Complete^™ Protection.

Take advantage of privacy settings and parental controls

Gaming platforms let you control who can send friend requests, who can chat with you, and whether strangers can message your account. Review those settings, especially if you’re a parent helping your child manage their gaming profile.

Turn off chat with strangers, limit in-game purchases, and use shared family spaces for gaming so it’s easier to spot problems early.

Watch out for identity theft, even for kids

Kids and teens are big targets for identity theft.

You may not know something’s wrong until they apply for a driver’s licence or student loan down the road and find a credit report full of fraud. Credit monitoring tools like Equifax Complete Protection can help flag any suspicious activity in your name.

Be careful what you post on social media

Gamers love to share screenshots, stats, and gamer tags. But it’s easy to forget what else might show up in a photo, like your real name, location, or school. If your gamer tag is connected to your full name on another platform, you’re even more exposed.

To be safe, limit who can see your social media content, and always be mindful of what you post.

Consider extra protection for peace of mind

Even if you’re doing everything right, breaches still happen. That’s why many families choose tools that go beyond antivirus software.

Equifax Complete Protection brings together a range of tools designed to catch threats early and support you if something goes wrong. Features include:

• Daily credit monitoring and alerts on key credit report changes
• Social media monitoring through ZeroFox
• A secure password manager from Nord
• Device security powered by Bitdefender
• Access to a dedicated identity restoration specialist
• Up to $1 million in identity theft insurance (not available in Quebec)
• Dark web scanning for your personal information with WebScan

Whether you're a parent protecting your child or a teen looking to stay safe online, it’s a smart way to keep an eye on what’s happening behind the scenes.

The bottom line

Online gaming should be fun, not risky. But staying safe takes more than just common sense. Whether you’re a gamer or the parent of one, the key is to stay alert, protect your personal information, and know the warning signs of a scam.

From avoiding suspicious links to using privacy settings and monitoring tools like Equifax Complete Protection, a few smart habits can go a long way. And remember: if anything feels too good to be true, it’s always better to pause and ask for help. A quick conversation today could prevent a much bigger problem tomorrow.

Get more details about Equifax Complete Protection.

Also read:

• How to restore your identity in Canada after ID theft
• Credit reporting agencies in Canada
• What to know when buying the Equifax Complete Protection product