Digital Safety Check

Check your phone for location sharing

Find My, Google location sharing, family-plan tracking. Just look for now — turning things off abruptly can be noticed. Knowing what's on is the first step.

Check the car for anything that reports its location

Family plans and some insurance apps include vehicle location. Look in the glovebox, under seats, and in bags for tracking devices.

List any smart home devices that show activity

Cameras, doorbells, and smart speakers can reveal when you come and go — and sometimes what's said.

Pick a safer place to do your planning

A library computer, a trusted friend's device, or private/incognito mode with history cleared afterward. Know that private mode isn't invisible on a monitored device — a separate device is safer than browser settings alone.

Create a new email account not linked to anything shared

Not connected to a shared recovery phone number or backup email. This becomes the account for your document photos, a new bank account, and everything that comes next.