Sundays are for crossing all your fingers and toes that you’ve not picked up a cold while travelling across the country in a packed train. I will be collecting precautionary supplies of Lemsip, Olbas Oil, and sage (you can never be too careful around this time of year, the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future are working overtime).

When you are armed with your sickness supplies, Sundays are for getting truly familiar with a comfy spot on the safe, ensconcing yourself in blankets, and losing yourself in some good reading for a few hours.

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# The Significance of Identity Safeguarding During the Holiday Shopping Surge

The final shopping surge preceding Christmas not only ushers in festive joy but also escalates the risks associated with cybercrime. With a rise in online transactions, rapid purchases, and shoppers distracted by holiday preparations, this time frame constitutes a prime opportunity for identity thieves. Acknowledging this, NordProtect has reduced the cost of its identity protection service to an unprecedented low of $4.49 per month, down from the usual $14.99. This seasonal offer highlights the necessity of protecting personal information during a period marked by an uptick in identity theft incidents.

## The Magnitude of the Issue

Identity theft poses a major challenge in the United States, with alarming statistics illustrating the breadth of the problem. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) states that consumers lost around $12.5 billion to fraud in the last year, showing a 25% increase from the prior year. In 2024 alone, the FTC processed over 1.1 million identity theft complaints, leading to a new victim every 22 seconds.

### Identity Theft by the Statistics
– **Every 22 seconds:** A new identity theft incident occurs in the United States.
– **1.1 million:** Identity theft complaints submitted to the FTC in 2024.
– **$12.5 billion:** Total losses experienced by consumers due to fraud within the last year.
– **44%:** Proportion of identity theft cases that involve credit card fraud.

The probability of identity theft increases during the holiday season, as the influx of online shopping creates more opportunities for cybercriminals. With a rise in legitimate transactions, it becomes progressively harder to differentiate between authentic purchases and fraudulent charges. Additionally, phishing schemes disguised as shipping notifications or holiday deals see a surge, while retailers often endure infrastructure pressures, making them more susceptible to breaches.

## How Protection Functions Effectively

NordProtect utilizes ongoing automated surveillance to manage identity risks proficiently, rather than depending on sporadic manual checks. The service observes credit reports from all three major bureaus, investigates dark web marketplaces for personal data, and monitors associated financial accounts for any unusual activity.

Keeping an eye on the dark web is especially vital, as this segment of the internet generally acts as a trading ground for stolen identities. When personal details surface here, it typically signifies a security breach in the accounts the victim utilizes. Swift detection and response are essential for securing accounts before criminals can take advantage of the information.

Furthermore, TransUnion’s credit monitoring service can instantly alert users to unauthorized financial activities, like new loan requests or alterations to credit limits. By also observing bank accounts, individuals can detect questionable transactions and reduce potential losses early.

## Financial Coverage That Extends Beyond Monitoring

The financial burden of recovering from identity theft can be overwhelming, often requiring legal fees, lost earnings, and countless hours devoted to rectifying the matter. NordProtect alleviates part of this strain by providing coverage of up to $1 million for expenses related to identity theft recovery, which includes legal costs and any documented expenses associated with reinstating one’s identity.

In addition, NordProtect offers tailored protections for less common risks—up to $50,000 for cyber extortion cases and up to $10,000 for direct theft from bank accounts or credit cards due to digital fraud. This broad coverage highlights the significant financial implications linked to advanced cyber dangers.

Access to specialized case management is another notable advantage. If identity theft occurs, a U.S.-based expert will support the victim throughout the recovery journey, coordinating with credit bureaus, banks, and law enforcement to guarantee a swift resolution.

## The Expense of Prevention

Presently, NordProtect is offered for just $4.49 per month, a 71% decrease from its regular pricing, making extensive identity protection more budget-friendly than many streaming services or routine coffee outings. The service includes a 30-day money-back guarantee, enabling users to take advantage of its benefits without any financial obligations.

When evaluating the potential costs tied to identity recovery, prevention stands out as a more cost-effective approach. The Identity Theft Resource Center estimates that individuals dealing with identity theft spend, on average, 200 hours resolving the situation. This considerable time commitment equates to significant lost income and extra expenses for legal aid and the purchase of monitoring services afterward.

### Conclusion

In conclusion, the holiday shopping period represents a peak time for identity theft, making robust protection essential. With NordProtect’s available offer of $4.49 per month, consumers are presented with a chance to protect their identities at an unparalleled value while alleviating the possible financial and emotional repercussions of identity theft.

Every game has its limitations, there is only so many actions you can take, narrative threads to unspool, buttons to press. What about a game that you can only play one round of every day? A game where you “take up the sword against an NPC or another girl-esque thing irl and fight until one of you is holding the lifeless, bloodstained hand of the other.” This is the description of a tiny, visceral Yuri Game Jam game called Everyday Sororicide.

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