Identity Theft

In today's world, one way for an identity to be stolen is through that person's social security number. With our advanced society that is so fast paced, it has become a trend for new parents to apply for a social security number for their child when they are born, thinking that they are helping their child's future. Yet it is through those same actions that they are doing creating the exact opposite result. It isn't necessary for a newborn child to receive a social security number. A social security number is necessary for those seeking employment, needing social assistance or other types of government funding - none of which are necessary for children to receive. When a young child has received a social security number, they have unfortunately become an easy target for identity stealing thieves who love these social security numbers as they usually go unmonitored for many, many years..

A report was released in 2006 stating that in America an average of 5 percent of all identity theft victims were children under the age of 18 years. That means that over 50,000 children a year become victims of identity theft. Thieves are finding it easier than ever to commit fraud using a child's identity since children normally don't have a credit history nor will they need to use their credit until they enter into post secondary education at the earliest.

When a child's identity is stolen, the thieves can use this information for a greater reduction on their taxes, to receive expensive hospital procedures and apply for credit cards with no intention of paying these bills. When a child's social security number is received, it must be kept in a safe place; otherwise the child's identity could be at risk.

There are ways to protect your child and their future credit history. If you have secured a social security number for your child, be careful about which institutions you give your child's social security number to. There are various organizations that will need to retain your children's personal information for their files. Doctor offices, schools and daycare centers all routinely ask for copies of a child's birth certificate. As a parent is it up to you to determine if it is really necessary for these organizations to have this information. While some organizations, like the doctor's office, may actually need to be provided with this information, as a parent it is your right to ask how they dispose of and store all patient information.

Finding lost or discarded information is fairly easy. Dumpster diving is one way that identity thieves retrieve their information. It is important that you ensure that all forms where you write your child's social security number on are properly discarded - as in shredding - and not just thrown into a garbage bin crumpled up. You can do this by asking how that company discards personal information. It is estimated that roughly one quarter of all child identity thefts occur when a dishonest employee snoops in files they aren't authorized to view at their place of work. The fewer places your child's information is recorded the safer your child is.

Do not give out your child's personal information to family or close friends unless it is absolutely necessary. It has happened where in many child identity theft cases a child's credit has been ruined by a close friend or relative who were able to access the social security number or other information of a child. Only parents or legal guardians need to know a child's social security number once it has been received.

One very important step to take towards safeguarding a child's identity is to teach your child about the dangers of giving out personal information. It is especially important to teach your child about the dangers of the internet and how to protect yourself from hidden dangers. Teach your child not to use their personal information on-line, specifically on social networking sites where they ask for information such as birth date, address, and phone numbers. Make sure that you regularly check your child's profile on these sites in order to monitor what type of information your child is making public. There are many child friendly sites available to children where they can meet new friends and not have the opportunity to give out this information.

Teach your child how to protect their personal information on a daily basis. As your child gets older it is important to teach them how important it is to always be aware of their 'stuff'. Wallets, purses and even cell phones can provide identity thieves with ready access to all types of personal information. Make sure your child is ready for this responsibility before they are allowed to carry these items out in public.

Check your children's credit reports annually when you check your own.

Each year all the major credit agencies will allow people to obtain one free credit report. When you check your credit, you should also attempt obtain a free credit report for each of your children if they have social security numbers. If everything is normal, your child's report should be blank. It is also important to be aware that if your child begins to receive credit card offers in the mail it is a signal that their identity could have been compromised. If that happens, check their credit report immediately.

When it comes to identity theft, it is important to be aware that it is not only your identity that can be compromised but also your child's. With smaller children it is your responsibility to protect their personal information from being used illegally. As your child gets older, it is essential that you begin to teach your child how to protect themselves from identity thieves. It is our job as parents to teach our children the necessary skills for them to become successful adults, and learning how to protect their identity is one of these important skills. It's never too early to begin protecting your children's identity, in fact, you should begin today or better yet, right now.

Rocky Bailey is an identity theft specialist who is passionate about educating consumers regarding the dangers of identity theft. He hopes you will take the time to learn more about identity theft protection at http://www.identitytheftlabs.com/ and start protecting your family today.

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There are several crimes that carry the stigma of making a person feel violated; one such crime is that of identity theft. The good news is that identity theft is dealt with on a much harsher level then what it was when the crime came to such wide public notice. However, that still does not make dealing with the repercussions any easier for the victim for identity theft. Although the seriousness of the crime is not taken as lightly as it once was, the aftermath can still have devastating consequences. So the obvious question becomes how do you deal with the aftermath and how do you keep it from happening again.

The first place to begin when dealing with identity theft is to take a complete inventory of exactly what damage has been done. Of course by the time you get to the end of the actual ordeal you should have a good idea of what you're looking at when it comes to the amount of damage to your credit and reputation. The most obvious tool you will need is a statement from the District Attorney that is handling your case. This way you can send notice to creditors and others to let them know what has taken place so the damage can be isolated from what you are actually responsible for.

The next step you will want to take is to notify the Social Security Offices that your Social Security number has been compromised. By letting Social Security know it's highly possible to have a new number issued and the old one cancelled to avoid further complications or damage to your credit. Of course you will want to set up several safety precautions to prevent the possibility of future identity theft.

A few safety precautions that you will want to take are, of course, pin codes. Be certain you don't make the pin numbers too easy to figure out or any number that is easily found by others. However, should you have to give your pin number to someone be certain to change it as soon as possible to avoid an issue later.

Passwords are also a good way to prevent these types of issues. There is one key factor; when asked for your mother's maiden name why not use her middle name, this is much harder for someone to find. Of course make certain to shred information that has account numbers, never throw statements away, at the least black out the numbers so they are unreadable. The best precaution possible is that if given the option for a card with a photo on it be sure to take the option, this definitely helps avoid the possibility of theft.

Joann Carlisle is a writer who enjoys sharing her knowledge and advice with readers. For more on identity theft, Moneyed Up offers readers tips for protecting themselves from identity theft.

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Identity theft is a growing problem that victimises thousands of people worldwide on a daily basis. Valuable information that is written on documents including credit card information, national insurance numbers and bank account and routing information, can be stolen out of the bin or recycling by savvy and determined thieves. Many people mistakenly assume that merely blacking out important numbers is enough to deter identity thieves. Unfortunately this is not the case.

Sophisticated thieves do not need a complete set of information in order to steal a persons' identity. Sometimes a name and parts of an address or a few old phone numbers are enough to create a new persona, including credit cards issued in the name of the person whose identity was stolen. Documents that otherwise seem innocuous, like a national insurance and tax id numbers can be used to create new documents that help steal identity. The more little pieces of information a thief has, such as past employers and hospital of birth or an old passport or driver's license photo with a name on it, can be enough information to cause millions of dollars of debt and years of grief for the victim. This is why people and businesses often turn to a shredding service to help them deal with the large volume of material they need to shred.

The best thing to do is to shred all documents will all identifying information, no matter how innocent the information may seem. This can add up to thousands of pages of documents a week, which is no easy task for a small shredder.

Additionally, computer disks, including DVDs and CD's can contain private information that cannot be erased. Only a commercial shredder can handle harder material such as this. Commercial shredders are able to shred clothes, large volumes of paper, plastics, and many other materials that smaller domestic and office shredders cannot handle. Even credit cards can slow down domestic and office shredders. A shredding service has large shredders that are capable of handling large volumes of heavy material without slowing down.

A reputable shredding service can help any home or office prevent identity theft and important information from getting into the wrong hands. Hiring an outside service also saves time and money in the long run. In addition to saving money and time spent tracking down and stopping identity thieves, an outside service saves time and money over using a small shredder for large volumes. A shredder can uses large amounts of energy every year. This cost is greatly increased when the machine is taxed by using it at a much higher volume that it was designed for. Much of this cost can be saved by hiring an outside company to provide this service for a home or business.

Jennifer is a business consultant and has worked with different companies in her career. She thinks that it is important for businesses to dispose of private documents through a shredding service to protect information. For more details, please visit The Shredding Alliance.

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Identity theft is an ever-increasing issue given the sheer amount of people who are having financial difficulties due to the worldwide financial crisis. You can only protect yourself against identity theft, do not leave it up to anyone else to help you.

There are some basic measures we can all take to reduce the risk. The first of which I would suggest would be two have two separate email addresses, one for your financial business, and the other for everything else.

So your online banking, PayPal, your accountant and just about anything you buy online, you should use your financial email address. Use a very difficult password with a minimum of 10 characters including capitals and symbols and don't give this email address out to anyone else. The reason we include any purchases in this email is that you are giving your financial information away to these sites included card numbers and pertinently, your address.

Use the email address only for your financial transactions and never give it even to friends. Use your other email address for everything else.

It's fairly obvious why you wouldn't want people getting hold of your bank details or card number, but the reasons run a little deeper as to why we wouldn't want people accessing this email address. If they guessed your password what would they have access to? A few online purchase receipts (with your address on), details of your PayPal account which they can access to withdraw cash to themselves, your online banking login details? You might think "Well just because someone can access my email doesn't mean they could access your PayPal or online banking accounts" and you would only be partly correct. All they need is access to your email address and they could request a new password be sent. Bang! You're in trouble.

If you have to write down the password and place it in your purse or wallet do so, it's better than making it an easy password to guess or hack.

This has been really focussed on fraud, but there is another, more insidious factor, we need to bear in mind. That factor is identity theft.

Identity theft, to my mind, is worse than fraud. Yes fraud involves stealing your own assets, but identity theft runs deeper than that, they steal your identity and take out loans and credit cards in your name. When the lender comes calling, they are going to be calling the named lender, you! This can not only hurt you financially, but can also affect your future ability to lend, your reputation and your health.

You are particularly susceptible if you create relationships online, i.e. from dating or from social networking. The whole process is ripe for identity theft, it is all about getting to know someone so you can give out very personal information during the course of the chat. For example, they want to know how old you are, you tell them because it's one of those things that come up a lot. But let's take the conversation further:

"What star sign are you?" "Wow I'm Virgo too, when's your birthday?" It all seems innocuous enough, but if you tell them, they combine it with your age and they have your date of birth as easily as that.

Let's go back to the earlier example of them accessing your email. If you have one email address and you give it out, to exchange photos or something (or bear in mind how much information you show on Facebook) they can go to your email provider and pick the option that you have forgotten your password, they can they find out what your security question is and either find the answer by searching through Facebook or directly asking you. As an example, the security question might be your first pets name. They then might start asking questions about your past. "Where were you born?" "Do you have any brothers?" "Were you a happy child" "Did you have any pets?" and before you know it you're discussing fluffy your first rabbit and how it got stuck in your boots. They can then close the conversation, go to your email account and unblock your inbox.

So they have your date of birth and access to your email account, all they need to do is login, find the receipt for the table you bought a week ago and BAM they have your address. And all they have had to do is ask a few questions, ones that are asked every day, very innocuous.

Let's go back to the conversation. They have asked where you were born. In the UK the only information someone needs in order to get a real copy of your birth certificate is your name, town of birth and date of birth. With your birth certificate they have the basis of your whole life.

Where else can someone get your address? Are you on an online directory? Like for example is your phone number listed? The electoral role? Can they search your surname and area and find you?

If you are going to meet someone, do it in a public place, don't show them pictures of your house or your car, all these things can be traced.

Once someone has your address you are open to having your whole life destroyed.

They can apply for loans, credit cards in your name, they could also change your address at your bank although this makes it more likely they will be caught. But if someone has your address and date of birth, and takes out a loan in your name using your credit history by telling them you have recently moved address. Of course this means that the lender will come to you on the first default, also your future credit options will be limited.

Even without your address, if they have your date of birth and birth town it doesn't take much more to get your birth certificate which in some respects can be used to prove your identity. Let's say they want to open a basic bank account in your name, they can take out an electricity account in your name with no ID requirements, when you get your first bill, this can be used as proof of your address, with that, along with your birth certificate, they can open a basic bank account with no credit facility. But after a bit of time they can easily use your electricity bill, bank account statement and birth certificate to take out a contract phone in your name giving them a credit file and history. After a bit of time they can use this credit file to take an overdraft and/or loan in your name, even a mortgage. They can also use your bills to apply for a replacement driving license in your name.

It's surprisingly easy to do all the above simply by knowing your date of birth and address, or in the US your social security number.

So you have to protect yourself. Start off by saving your important emails to your computer and deleting them from your email account. Open a new email account and protect it with a top notch password. Further protect it with a security question that is unusual, one that might cause you to question it if it comes up in conversation. If all the questions are easy then substitute the real answer with one that you will remember that's incorrect, i.e. Mothers maiden name: table.

Be very careful what personal information you give out during normal conversation, it might be a good idea to train yourself to re-read anything you write before you click send.

Be aware also that even your nearest and dearest can steal your identity. I once investigated a case for a woman who's best friend had stolen her identity. In cases like this, I would suggest signing up with a credit reference agency who will be able to email you whenever a change to your file has been logged.

Finally, how do we rectify identity theft? Well if you are in the US, you can call the Federal trade commission on 1-877-IDTHEFT and the IRS on 1-800-908-4490. You should also report it to the Internet Crime Complaint Center. If in the UK, report it to the police first and foremost, then contact the lenders and give them the crime reference number. Keep a close eye on your credit report and deal with issues as they arise. Give your crime reference number to your bank and any lenders you have. Any company part of the finance act has guidelines on how to assist in these circumstances and they will be able to provide you with further information and support.

Phishing websites.

Phishing is the practise of someone getting you to reveal your bank account (or other account) details by way of a form that looks just like the real thing. Most of these scams are done through emails and you will receive it from a legitimate looking address, it might tell you that there is a problem with your account and you should click the link to get it unblocked. The email looks genuine, the link looks genuine and the page it takes you to looks genuine. The way to always stop these in their tracks is to hover over the genuine looking link and read the actual destination link that pops up in a small box, this is the actual destination rather than what is actually typed in the email. Is this destination address taking you through to the right place? If not, delete it. An example destination address might read paypall.com and you might miss the extra L if you wasn't specifically looking for it.

Most financial institutions have a fraud department dedicated to investigating these matters so you can always forward on the email to the company it is purported to have come from. As an example, there was a recent story that the HMRC (British version of the IRS) were sending out tax refunds to people, the stories were correct, but phishers were sending emails to people asking them to log onto a fake online form where they could collect the details. Once I read it and seen it wasn't genuine I forwarded this straight to the HMRC fraud department. Whether anything comes of it they don't say but I hope they catch the culprits.

Dave P Thompson is a security expert of high regard. Dave operates the highly successful ScamSeeker.org website offering free investigative services to anyone.

Also stars as a public speaker dealing with consumer security protection, offering advice on identity theft, phishing and fraud.

To learn more, please visit ScamSeeker.org

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These days most of us are aware of the need to prevent identity theft from messing our lives up in a big way.

So what do we do? Some may shrink from participating in modern life. They may refuse to use the internet, and deny themselves all of its benefits, through fear of having their ID stolen. They may try to live without credit so they do not have to give out their personal information.

Living that way may indeed reduce the chances of being a victim of identity fraud, but would certainly restrict their lifestyle choices.

Others may believe that it "only happens to the other guy." They live their life without taking the trouble to safeguard personal information and therefore put themselves at risk.

Neither of those two attitudes is the way to go. To enjoy the advantages of modern living you have to disclose sensitive information at times, you can't avoid it. On the other hand, being careless about your personal details only increases the chances of becoming a victim of fraud.

To do all that you can to prevent identity theft happening to you, without giving up living, you need to be aware of all the ways crooks could obtain access to your personal data. Then ensure that you take all reasonable steps to stop that happening.

Even in this electronic age criminals still go dumpster diving and sorting through trash, hoping to find juicy snippets of private info they can use. We accumulate so many documents, letters and forms containing personal details that we simply have to throw some out. Before we do however, we should take the precaution of shredding them, using a shredder that cross cuts and so reduces the documents to confetti.

How about your mailbox? Is it secure, can it be locked up so as to deny thieves easy access to your mail?

Phishing emails and phone calls are a constant threat. The email may look genuine or the phone call may sound convincing, but would your bank or credit supplier request details from you that they already have? No, if you think there is a chance the request is genuine, then pick up your phone and call them to find if they really sent the email or made the call.

Prevent identity theft online by keeping your security software and firewall up to date, you do have those, right? And never log on without your virus protection is running. It is also wise to always use the latest version of your browser.

How about the passwords that you use online? The longer the password that you choose, the more secure it is. If it is possible to do so, use a good mix of lower and upper case letters along with numbers and other characters. Never use real names, birth dates, names of pets etc. Change passwords frequently and do not use the same one for each site.

Enjoy social networking, but do be careful about what you post on your updates. A small piece of personal info here and there could give away a lot about your ID.

Be very cautious when using Automatic Teller Machines. If there is anything fishy, anything that does not seem right about the cash machine, don't use it. If there is anyone unnaturally hanging around, then find another ATM to use.

Doing all of the above will go a long way to prevent identity theft impacting your life. Remember also to check bank and credit statements frequently. If you spot something amiss, report it immediately.

Find out more about Identity Theft Prevention.

Martin Underwood writes about all aspects of home, personal and vehicle security. Read what he has to say about Medical Identity Theft.

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Identity theft is the fastest growing consumer crime in the United States. According to the Federal Trade Commission, approximately 9.3 million individuals are victimized by the crime every year, so it's no wonder that more and more people are turning to ID theft prevention services to safeguard their identities. But consumers aren't the only ones at risk. Any size business, whether a giant corporation or a small business, must be vigilant to protect themselves from ID theft.

ID Theft Prevention Service Vs. ID Theft Insurance Vs. Credit Checks:

Identity theft experts agree that using an ID theft prevention service is the most effective way to protect against ID theft, but note that consumers and companies can also take matters into their own hands by using common sense to protect their identities. Some preventative measures include keeping copies of credit card information in a safe place, obtaining their credit reports from the three major credit bureaus once a year, and implementing credit freezes.

Some ID experts also recommend purchasing ID theft insurance, but the benefits of an ID theft prevention service far outweigh the benefits of ID theft insurance. The insurance covers some of the expenses to deal with the aftermath of identity theft, but it does nothing to prevent it. Even the National Association of Insurance Commissioners states that ID theft insurance "cannot protect you from becoming a victim of identity theft and does not cover direct monetary losses incurred as a result of identity theft."

Instead of insurance, consumers, corporations, and small businesses should invest in an ID theft prevention and recovery service that is proactive and provides comprehensive protection against ID theft. There are many competing identity theft prevention services out there, and not all of them offer the same level of service.

The Most Effective ID Theft Prevention and Recovery Service:

The Identity Advocate has been researching the best of the best services for preventing ID theft and what to do if it happens to you. We believe the most proficient and comprehensive identity theft prevention and recovery service in the marketplace is Entrust America. It is the only ID theft protection company with a 100% track record of recovering stolen identities over the past five years of providing ID theft prevention services to corporations and consumers alike.

One of the most unique things about Entrust America is that the company has a proprietary partnership with law enforcement nationwide. The company's network of law enforcement professionals recovers identities and ensures clients across the entire United States get back to pre-theft status. As law enforcement professionals they also have the ability to get fast and accurate results that would be nearly impossible for victims to achieve on their own. In addition to providing ID theft protection and recovery services, Entrust America pursues and assists with the prosecution of ID theft perpetrators.

Entrust America's ID theft prevention services include:

• A 24/7 hotline for members to call if they suspect they have been a victim of ID theft. Most competitors do not offer round-the-clock support. These on-call identity theft specialists quickly determine whether a fraud has occurred and, if so, which of the over 40 different kinds of identity theft have been committed.

• Overnighting an ID Theft Resolution Kit that includes forms to be submitted to the IRS, DMV, Social Security Administration, and the three credit reporting agencies. An identity theft affidavit and forms specific to the type of ID theft are also included.

• Reporting the identity theft to members' local authorities and creditors, requesting that creditors cancel existing cards and issue new ones, and placing a security freeze on members' credit records that lasts for seven years. Other ID theft prevention services only place a credit freeze on records for 90 days (if they offer this service at all).

• Contacting members with status updates whenever there is activity on the case, and following-up with creditors to ensure that they properly repair the members' accounts.

• Recovery specialist who are all law enforcement professionals. They have the time and expertise to immediately launch a full investigation into the identity theft, completely reverse damages, and bring the identity thieves to justice.

• 100% recovery of members' identity to pre-theft status. No other ID theft prevention and recovery company has a better track record of reducing the likelihood of a member's identity being compromised. Entrust America gives members total peace of mind.

These are just a few of the many ID theft prevention and recovery services Entrust America provides its members. Learn more about Entrust America and the comprehensive services the company provides consumers and corporations to prevent and recover from identity theft by visiting http://www.EntrustAmerica.com.

Entrust America is the only ID theft prevention service endorsed by The Identity Advocate, a leader in the education, training, consulting, and investigation of ID theft. Visit http://www.TheIdentityAdvocate.com or call 310.831.4400 for more information.

Linda Vincent, R.N., P.I., is an identity theft, medical identity theft, and healthcare fraud prevention expert specializing in medical consulting and investigations. She is the president of The Identity Advocate, which teaches corporations, professional practices, and consumers how to stop identity theft, medical identity theft, and healthcare fraud. Visit http://www.theidentityadvocate.com/ or call 310.831.4400.

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Credit report monitoring has become an important aspect in the lives of many people today. It is regarded as an essential service to have to help ensure protection from identity thieves. These days, perpetrators of identity theft are seldom caught by the authorities. With technology giving them the ability to conduct their illegal business, they can continue conducting their unlawful acts and victimize more people each year. But this same technology can also be used to thwart these criminals. To protect oneself, he has to properly monitor his accounts through services designed to detect suspicious activities. By doing this, he can protect himself from the grave consequences of identity theft.

Getting adequate protection from ID theft is the best defense to stay safe. Through a service that provides monitoring, consumers can take advantage of effective procedures implemented to keep identities away from the hands of thieves. As of recently, a lot of people have already benefited from these services. These specific programs have been instrumental in monitoring the personal credit files of each customer. More importantly, the emergence of these services has protected people from attempts that were made to steal their identities. Some others have been given assistance after they have fallen victims to identity thieves while enrolled in the program. These show the benefits of having such services.

The advantages of getting a credit report monitoring service

Companies that offer protection for identities give consumers a number of benefits. In addition to getting the best service to monitor credit reports, anybody who subscribes to these services can look forward to obtaining certain benefits. One of them is a comprehensive credit report. One's credit report is a highly essential document. It is his ticket to getting services that give him the most privileges. When this is compromised, he loses the benefits attached to having good credit. Therefore, it is crucial that this document be monitored to ensure that there is no illegal movement going on that will put one's identity in trouble.

Another advantage is getting identity insurance. With a good program, a subscriber can take advantage of insurance that will provide assistance to its members who have become identity theft victims. This is usually through done through financial resources that will cover lost income, attorney fees, as well as other expenses related with the restoration of their identities. Along with this service must come identity reestablishment to help them get their credit ratings to good standing.

With an identity theft protection program that offers credit report monitoring service, one is able to access various important files. People who have subscribed to these programs are given easy accessibility to files that are important in monitoring their accounts. With some plans, a member is able to get full access to these documents. Through this, he can easily assess the activities that are going on, specifically the movements that have transpired for any given period. This allows easy detection for any unauthorized changes. Therefore, it is a wise move to have such a service as it works to help enhance security for one's identity.

Credit report monitoring services are incredibly vital in preserving the protection of your identification. By way of the best credit monitoring service, you can benefit from features like identity theft protection provided by companies such as lifelock and TrustedID.

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Most of us know the prevalence, dangers, and consequences of identity theft. It is the fastest growing white-collar crime. To proactively combat identity theft, more and more people are turning to ID theft prevention services to regularly monitor fraudulent activity.

Unfortunately, not all identity theft prevention services are the same, and selecting the best one for you can be confusing and frustrating. There are dozens to choose from and each offers varying levels of protection for a monthly fee.

Before you even start shopping for an ID theft prevention service, it's important to know that there are many things you can do to proactively defend against ID theft at no cost. For example, you can monitor your credit for free once per year with each of the three major credit reporting bureaus, and can implement a credit freeze to prevent any new accounts from being opened in your name.

One form of ID theft you can't directly guard against is a data breach, which occurs when an identity thief hacks into the database of an organization that has your personal information on file (such as a bank or a doctor's office). There were 662 data breaches in 2010 according to the Identity Theft Resource Center, up from 498 in 2009, proving that no one is immune to ID theft.

Considering the growing threats, subscribing to an ID theft prevention service is definitely a good idea. But before you decide to pay for one, do your research and ask whether the service:

• Offers monthly, weekly, daily, or even real-time credit monitoring. Time is not on your side when your identity is stolen, so real-time or at least daily credit monitoring is recommended.

• Provides ID theft prevention services, such as setting-up fraud alerts, obtaining credit bureau reports, and monitoring credit card activity. Although you could complete these services yourself for free, it's a time-saver to have them performed by the ID theft prevention service.

• Monitors all three credit reporting bureaus. Some services only monitor one of the three agencies, which isn't enough protection when you consider that a potential creditor usually only checks with one of them.

• Provides unlimited access to your credit scores. Keep in mind that many ID theft prevention services do not provide access to your FICO score.

• Has customer support. Live representatives should be available 24/7 if you suspect a problem.

• Provides ID theft insurance. Although it does not cover damages resulting from identity theft, ID theft insurance reimburses the costs involved in restoring your identity.

• Offers recovery assistance. Services vary greatly, and you want to know how much help you can expect in the event of ID theft. Some services only provide you with fraud affidavits to complete, while others actually contact creditors, law enforcement agencies, and other entities on your behalf.

You will also want to compare costs of the various ID theft prevention services, remembering that the price doesn't necessarily reflect the level and effectiveness of the service.

With all of the ID theft prevention services available, choosing the best option can seem like a daunting task. But it doesn't have to be. Professional practices and individuals alike turn to The Identity Advocate to rest easier. Get tips to start protecting your identity by visiting http://www.TheIdentityAdvocate.com or calling 310.831.4400.

Linda Vincent, R.N., P.I., is an identity theft, medical identity theft, and healthcare fraud prevention expert specializing in medical consulting and investigations. She is the president of The Identity Advocate, which teaches corporations, professional practices, and consumers how to stop identity theft, medical identity theft, and healthcare fraud. Visit http://www.theidentityadvocate.com/ or call 310.831.4400.

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Most mail theft is done by so called low key criminals. Because stealing mail from a mailbox is so easy it's a low tech crime. I doesn't take much brain power to open the mailbox door and take the mail out.

There are 3 ways to cut down the chance of mail theft. The most obvious is don't use a mailbox. Use a locking mailbox is another way. There is also a way to know when your mail has come so a thief doesn't have a chance to take it.

The number one way to thwart mail theft is to not use a home mail box. Though the most positive, it is a big pain. You have to take your mail to work or take it to the post office. Even mail at work may not be theft proof. Having a Post Office Box is pretty safe. There are many problems with a P.O. Box like not having your key or not being open all hours.

The second way to discourage mail theft is a locking mailbox. A lot of people think a locking mailbox will solve the mail theft problem. Though partially correct, a locking mailbox is not theft proof.

I am going to tell you how I know this stuff. I am a retired rural mail carrier. I drove my own car mostly in rural areas and delivered mail. I delivered mail to a woman's shelter. They had a locking mailbox, for a good reason. One day the mailbox was gone. I found out that an irate husband wanted his wife's mail. Because the box was locked, he wrapped a chain around the post, hooked it up to his truck and took box and all down the street until he was caught.

The third way to stop mail theft is get the mail as soon as the mail person puts it in the mailbox. If there is someone home during the day like a retired, disabled or work at home person, getting the mail as soon as it comes is easy. You just need to know when the mail has come.

I am going to add a few tips to help you safeguard your mail. Put your mail in the box to go as late as you can before the mail carrier comes. Have the mail carrier leave a note if you have a package that won't fit in the mail box. As a carrier I disliked leaving a package on the porch. That was an open invitation saying: we are not home. Don't ever leave your mail in the mailbox over night. A flag up at night is saying: come and get it. If you are going to be gone for a day or two ask your regular mail carrier to hold the mail. In most instances he or she will remember to hold your mail. It is not easy as a mail carrier to remember to hold someones mail if there are a few people asking. If you are going to be gone three or more days go on line and fill out a hold request.

One of the best ways to protect your mail is to get it as soon as you can after delivery. Check out the very short video and products at http://mailboxdooralert.com/. Click the link now and look at the site. Sign up for the no cost free report there too.

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Uses of the internet have increased tremendously in recent times. People use the internet for sharing information, learning, communicating, and doing business. There are also some people using the internet as a resource to steal your identity. This is why every internet user needs to protect his or her personal information against identity theft. There are several things you should do to protect yourself against identity theft online.

Firstly, guard your online information. Use very strong passwords which should be very hard for anyone to guess. You should also not use one password for every website you use. Never write your password down or save it in a document in your computer. Your passwords should not be your birth date, your family member's name or your pet's name. Instead use unrelated words with numbers and symbols.

The second thing you can do to protect yourself from identity theft online is shred sensitive documents. Many people just fold or tear apart vital documents into several pieces. An identity thief can easily put those papers together and read your personal information. Shredding outdated bank statements, credit card applications and bills before dumping it into trash or recycling will make it very hard for a thief to put the papers back together. In fact it is almost impossible.

You should be aware of phishing. In phishing, an identity thief pretending to be personnel of a famous or loyal company sends an email telling you that you have won some money. The email usually contains a link where you will be directed to fill personal information online. To avoid falling for this, never verify personal information online before researching for the company in question. In your search you can include the word scam and several results relating to scams in the name of the company in question will display. Go through the search results and learn how other people have dealt with it.

Identity theft protection services can also help you to protect yourself from online identity theft. Most of the companies that offer these services, submit fraud alert on your behalf to avoid identity thieves from opening new lines of credit. Some companies also search through the internet for you, to make sure that nobody is using your credit card and social security numbers. Some of the most famous companies include: Identity Guard, Trusted ID and Equifax ID.

The law puts you at liberty to get a free copy of your credit report every year upon your request. You should go through the report keenly, checking on the accuracy to make sure that you can account for each line of credit. It is recommended that you check your credit reports at least three times in a year. Apart from the free copy that you are entitled to; you can purchase the reports from the major credit bureau, that is, Equifax, Experian or Trans Union.

Another important thing you should do to protect yourself from identity theft online, is to secure your computer. Make sure that your antivirus software is updated regularly. This makes a barrier between your trusted networks and untrusted networks which might be trying to access your computer. In addition to that, your mobile devices like smart phones or iPads, should be secured with strong passwords just in case they get lost.

Identity Theft is something to really watch out. Learn how to protect against identity theft

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Identity theft is a heightening concern for many of us.

Spotlighted regularly on the news and shows like Dateline, identity theft is a particularly frightful subject and could cause the victim all types of emotional pain and monetary trouble. For this reason it is very important to know how to protect identity theft from affecting you.

This kind of theft can happen by countless techniques such as someone using your Social Security, checks, cards, driver's license and much more.

Fortunately, there are lots of things you can do to protect identity theft from hurting your life.

Documents are the most serious problem for most people. Stopping document theft all circles around how you handle and dispose of those documents.

From bank records to hospital bills, you get mail consistently that is always full of your private info. You would think in this computer dominated world, they could ultimately put a stop to all of these paper bills and documents and just send you everything electronically. However, that would not come about for quite some time.

Though you could contact your financial institutions yourself to do so, as that is one great thing to add to your list of how to protect from identity theft through the mail.

Another tip on how to protect from identity theft is to make sure you rip up or shred anything with your information on it.

Using a shredder might be easier for you as constantly ripping by hand may be a problem. Once shredded, make sure it is not visible in your trash bag.

Besides documents, there are several more tips on how to protect identity theft from entering your life that should generally be known, but can often be overlooked.

For example, you should be aware that checks definitely make it easy to take your money. When you're out you should never bring your social security card, birth certificate or checkbook. They not only have your private info, but they also have your checking account number and routing number right on them.

Some folks even put their Social Security ID right there on the check! Don't do that. This is definitely not how you protect from identity theft. In fact you'd be kind of inviting it, and the check with the social security on it is the invitation.

Using your common sense and information can go a long way in safeguarding yourself. Be conscious of these things, and keep your identity safe.

Rebecca Jones has dedicated her life to helping people improve their financial lives, as well as to show you how to protect identity theft from hurting you and your loved ones. To get exclusive info you won't find anywhere else, visit http://howprotectidentitytheft.com/

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Identity theft is an increasing concern for many, and something that has become even more prevalent over the last few years due to the internet. There are many ways that someone who has stolen your identity can use it against you. This article contains some examples of how people can be caused problems by others stealing their identity.

The most common cases of identity theft are where credit cards or credit card details are stolen. This has become more commonplace due to the internet. With so many people now making purchases online it gives an extra opportunity to criminals wishing to obtain the details of innocent people's credit cards. This has the obvious problem of someone being able to use somebody else's credit card to buy things and withdraw cash, while the credit card owner can get left with the bill. The problem with your details being stolen rather than the physical credit card being stolen is that you are likely to notice soon after your card has gone. If the details are stolen, for example during an online transaction, then you may not realise for a while, while someone else is spending your money.

Some have taken out mortgages and other loans using a stolen identity. Someone who would not otherwise be able to get a loan may use the details of someone in a stronger financial position. This can cause the person who is being imitated being charged for repayments and interest on a loan they haven't taken out. One the other hand, the lender can lose out having already paid out the amount of the loan, although this can often be reclaimed.

It is not just individuals who can be victims of stolen credit cards and credit card details, but businesses as well. If a business accepts a stolen credit card from someone buying goods or services from them then it may mean lost income, as the money might be reclaimed by the credit card company.

Identity theft is not just about money though, people can use others' identity in other ways. One example is to use someone else's passport. This can enable wanted criminals to travel to another country, or illegal immigrant to enter a country by what appears to be legal means.

People have had their driving licence used by somebody else. This has led to people driving illegally. It can also mean someone being fined for speeding when, in fact, they haven't committed the offence.

Another instance of identity crime has been where people have managed to tell the postal services that someone has moved, re-directing mail to their own address. This means receiving their mail, which can have disastrous consequences. This can mean receiving mail that enables them to use their identity for wrongful means.

The above is not by any means an exhaustive list of potential identity theft crimes. There are many other ways that people's identities can be used for wrongful means. The danger of identity theft means that everyone has to be careful to make sure they limit the chances of their identity being stolen.

Andrew Marshall (c)

For advice and help on Identity Theft and online protection visit Know the Net.

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Identity theft is generally considered to be the fastest-growing crime in the United States. The term itself refers to obtaining and using the personal identifying information of another person in order to fraudulently obtain goods and services. Personal identifying information includes things such as your name, date of birth, and Social Security number.

Roughly 700,000 people a year become victims of this crime. However, it is continually on the rise, with thieves employing a wide gamut of tactics from sophisticated online "phishing" scams to low-tech strategies like dumpster-diving. Thus, It is becoming more common - especially since the advent of the information age, when so much vital info about the world - and each other - is practically at our fingertips. That being the case, it goes without saying that practically anyone can become a victim.

The most common form of identity theft is credit card fraud; it is estimated to cost consumers hundreds of millions - some say billions - of dollars per year. Next is utilities fraud, followed by bank fraud. Credit card fraud can be particularly insidious, as you may not discover for quite some time that someone has, for instance, opened a new line of credit in your name and charged thousands of dollars to the account before leaving you stuck with the bill.

There are ways to protect yourself from identity theft. Credit monitoring, for instance, is absolutely critical to identity theft defense. Fortunately, you can obtain a free credit report from each of the three major credit-reporting agencies (Equifax, Experian and TransUnion) annually. Thus, you can get a free copy of your credit report - one from a different credit-reporting agency - every four months. Likewise, regularly checking and balancing your bank account statements will also help you stay abreast of any irregularities that could be indicative of identity theft.

If you are already the victim of identity theft, it can be a long and arduous road getting back to some semblance of normalcy. On average, it is believed that it takes victims of identity theft six months to a year (and sometimes longer) to get matters rectified to some reasonable extent. This includes trying to recover money taken from bank accounts, as well as avoiding liability for goods and services that were never purchased or received (at least by the victim). Unfortunately, there is no sure-fire method to avoid becoming a victim. All you can do is take what precautions you can in order to mount a adequate identity theft defense. Just remember: it's easier to avoid becoming a victim than to recover from being one. In other words, this is truly a case where an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

The author runs a blog devoted to identity theft defense and protection: http://www.identitytheftdefensehq.com/

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When your identity is stolen, it can be disastrous. A thief can use your identity to steal money, make purchases, and engage in a number of other illicit activities. Most Americans live constantly in fear of identity theft, yet it is becoming increasingly common for taxpayers to fall victim to tax scams designed to steal their identity.

There is certain information that all taxpayers should keep in mind. With these key facts, taxpayers can ensure that they correctly identify, and avoid, identity theft tax scams.

1. The IRS never communicates by email. First and foremost, remember that the Internal Revenue Service will never communicate with a taxpayer through email. If you ever receive tax-related correspondence in your email inbox - even if it claims urgency or a need for direct payment of supposed tax debt - it is advisable to consider it a scam.

For any suspicious paper correspondence, first contact the IRS first to determine if it is a legitimate correspondence. If it is legitimate, you may reply as needed. However, if it is not legitimate, contact the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration.

2. Keep alert for Social Security Number theft. Taxpayers should always carefully monitor, and keep a comprehensive record, of any correspondence with the IRS. Sometimes it may become clear due to the nature of an IRS letter that an identity thief has stolen your Social Security Number.

In particular, these suspicious letters could include alerts pertaining to unpaid taxes related to a job you do not hold. Often an identity thief may appropriate another individuals Social Security Number in order to get a job. This can then make it appear as though the real individual did not declare all of their income on their tax return.

3. Lost or Stolen Possessions. Sometimes standard theft, such as a mugging or home break-in, can make you susceptible to identity theft. This is particularly true if the thief stole a wallet that contained a driver's license or credit cards.

If you think you might be a victim of identity theft, contact the IRS as soon as possible with proof of your identity. Do not wait to receive an inaccurate letter from the IRS. Instead, ensure that the IRS knows the risk and is aware, to avoid you receiving any undue charges. Submit a copy of a valid Federal or State issued identification, or a completed Form 14039, IRS Identity Theft Affidavit.

The Lee Law Firm's tax lawyers have many years of experience in all aspects of IRS debt problems. They have extensive knowledge of unpaid tax debts, back taxes, tax audits, IRS harassment, IRS wage garnishment and IRS penalties. The attorneys at the Lee Law Firm aim to help their clients resolve their tax debt issues and regain financial freedom.

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Because the dawn in the facts age, progressively more individuals are turning into victims of identification theft which generally ends in extreme financial losses and legal complications also. Generally, individuals imagine that they are going to certainly not be victims of the crime nevertheless the truth of the matter is the fact it may possibly take place to simply about everyone.

Simply because it's trash to you personally won't indicate it can't be utilized to steal your identification along with your economical details. Each time you throw a paid out credit score card invoice or maybe a pre-approved credit score card offer you from the trash, you set all by yourself in a bigger possibility of turning out to be a victim. Normally don't forget that any bit of paper which has your title and fiscal info on it could be a weapon from the arms of thieves who'll head to any duration, like rooting by way of your rubbish, to steal precious information.

Consumers really usually consider out their credit score cards or open up their wallets way in advance of their flip to buy the things they acquired. Simply because they don't have your genuine card will not indicate thieves can't make use of the quantity in an effort to steal from you. Generally be wary of individuals who appear to be much too shut for you inside the cashier line due to the fact there's a likelihood that they're attempting to consider a peek at your card data. Greater still, only consider out your card when it's time for you to purchase your products.

Should you fork out, your utilities applying the car debit or automobile credit score operate of the card, you ought to be apprehensive. Rip-off professionals can contact the utility business pretending to become you and inquire the consumer support representative to browse back again the card details to them mainly because "you" have forgotten which specific card you applied to purchase the invoice that month. Although it seems astounding, it basically transpires lots as well as utility enterprise is not going to even know it's got grow to be complicit in the considerable crime.

Many persons subscribe to specified expert services or products and solutions on-line and so they fork out with their credit score card every last month. You must never ever be much too cavalier about this mainly because your money details is usually simply stolen specially in case you certainly not verify your protection line of defense this sort of as passwords and verification amounts. If achievable, use Spend Pal or other on line payment processing mediums in order to avoid acquiring ripped off.

If you want to know more about identity theft protection [http://www.bestidentitytheftprotectionreviews.org/], please visit [http://www.bestidentitytheftprotectionreviews.org/].

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Many facts about identity theft are now common knowledge. Identity theft has been rising every year for at least a decade, and it has exploded wildly along with the growth of the Internet. Some hackers steal personally identifiable information and then sell it in private forums to other, would-be thieves. Phishing websites collect your personal information to facilitate identity theft, the list goes on.

Yet there are lesser known facts about identity theft that may help shape your plans to prevent it and how to monitor for it.
Many, but not quite a majority, of cases of identity theft involve family members and close friends. Parents have used a child's Social Security Number to get credit cards and even home mortgages after their own credit is shut down. Unfortunately, this ruin's their child's credit just as they are starting their own lives. And many financial institutions won't let the loans be forgiven unless the child presses charges against the relative.
Making up a Social Security Number (SSN) on a credit card application is identity theft as well as fraud. Since credit reporting is based on the Social Security Number, using a false one results in them checking someone else's credit.
Illegal aliens using your Social Security Number are committing identity theft as well as fraud, whether they use your name as well or only your SSN along with their name. This is done to pass background checks and determine if they are legal to work in the United States. Identity theft has also involved American born children of illegal aliens. Once the child has a Social Security Number, the parent uses that SSN to work and apply for credit. Unfortunately, the teenager can discover they now have a long work history and are at risk of audits by the IRS when they try to work at a fast food joint. The IRS may say they owe taxes on another job or have to explain the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) claimed when they were a minor.
Impersonating someone's identity is increasingly used to gain access to health benefits. From using another's Medicaid card and ID to listing the health insurance information of a friend, this permits someone not entitled to the benefits to get free or discount care. Unfortunately, it also adds incorrect information to the correct person's medical records. This can result in bills sent to someone who never even received care. In rare cases, the medical insurance cap is reached and the person paying the health insurance premiums is unable to get care due to the health insurance fraud.
If someone is working using your Social Security Number and then claims retirement benefits, the payments go to whomever retires first. If it isn't you, you will face an uphill battle to prove the money is going to the wrong person. And there are as of yet no court cases in which the person received the benefits paid to the identity thief.
Basic shredding of your bank statements is sound advice but of limited use. Anywhere your Social Security Number and contact information are listed is vulnerable to ID theft. Your doctor's office can be hacked and your personal information stolen as easily and reliably as the Department of Motor Vehicles. An attorney's records include the SSN, address and phone number, allowing those who steal legal records to gain access to even more information for identity theft. You cannot control the information security of all of these hundreds of locations where this information is stored.

While you can never be 100% safe from identity theft, it's important to remain alert. Catching identity theft early is the key to preventing financial ruin. There are services to help protect your identity, but everyone's situation is different, so this may not be the best option for you.

Jason is the Founder and Creative Director of StartProducingWealth.com. For more resources and information on wealth creation and wealth protection, visit Start Producing Wealth.

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Two Phone scams are using the element of surprise and almost forcing the scared to give up personal information. Both scams make you think that if you don't give them the information you will go to jail.

The first scam has been around for a little while. The caller tells you that you have missed your jury duty appointment. If you don't pay the fine now the court will have you arrested and put in jail. There is no jury duty summons or court. It's the element of surprise that gets people.

The second scam is new. Someone identifies themselves as a police officer and tell the person that they have a ticket for running a red light. The officer say's that the red light camera has the evidence. If you don't pay now you are subject to going to jail.

Both scams want a credit card number, name on card and even the security code. Then they ask for name, address and social security number. Taken by surprise most people don't verify the charges before giving out the information.

Questioning the caller by asking, what intersection, time of day, date etc. will probably get a quick hangup. Most of the information the caller is requesting is on file at the local police department anyway.

From all the information I have seen no bank, credit card company or government office will request this kind of information.

On the other hand, if you call a company they will want to verify your identity by asking questions. You called them and they want to make sure they are talking to the account holder before giving out information.

Be leery of any unsolicited phone calls requesting personal information. If by some chance you are interested in the offer, do some checking. I always say send me some information in the mail. If they can't do that then I hang up.

It is puzzling to me as to how much time someone spends trying to steal from the public. If they spent the same amount of time making something good, they could make honest money and not face going to jail.

There are a lot of people employed just to try to stop thieves from taking our money and identity. I guess that's what keeps the economy moving.

As a former mail carrier. Mail theft is very important to me. It doesn't take many smarts to open a mailbox and take the mail out. In some cases someone that has some smarts is calling the shots. They hire some dumb-dumb to heist the mail and bring it back to them. I'm sorry if I offended you, if you are one of those dumb-dumbs.

There are many things to learn about mail theft and identity theft to protect yourself. At http://mailboxdooralert.com/ you can sign up for notices for new pertinent blog posts. At the website you can see a neat way to protect yourself from mail theft. You can follow us without signing up @ http://mailboxdooralert.com/blog.

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Identity thieves originally went after high value targets that had the most money. Nowadays, they have gone out of that comfort zone and target lower income groups who make for easier pickings. Identity theft cases have skyrocketed in the 21st century fueled by technological advancements. It is becoming easier for identity thieves to get information about people which they eventually use to carry out fraudulent activities. Although identity thieves prefer richer people, their information is not as easy to come by compared to low income earners. The following people are more vulnerable to identity theft.

Frequent users of social networks. Research suggests that people who frequently use social networks are vulnerable to identity theft due to the possibility of sharing personally identifiable information. People who have used such networks online for over five years are twice as likely to fall victim to identity theft.

People who reside in apartments in major cities. Identity theft in this case is made possible by the ease by which mail can be intercepted by identity thieves. This group of people also move house frequently. This means that mail can easily land in the wrong hands at a previous residence.

It has become fairly obvious that online shoppers have the highest risk factor when it comes to becoming a victim of this kind of theft. This is because they usually give out loads of sensitive personal information and even credit card numbers.

A proactive approach can serve as a good means of preventing theft. The following are some steps that can be taken to deal with the risk of identity theft.

Always ensure that on changing addresses, you inform the people that send you regular mail such as banks. This will prevent your mail from landing in the wrong hands.

Always shred documents that have personally identifiable information before throwing them in the trash. Even better, burn items with highly sensitive data.

Always cancel all credit cards that you no longer use. People usually get shocked to see purchases made with unused credit cards.

Always have passwords that are hard to guess. Password-protected accounts usually have personal information within them.

Memorize all important numbers such as social security numbers so as not to leave them lying around on a written piece of paper. If not, save them in a secure password-protected location.

Check your bank statement every month to make sure that all transactions were performed by you.

Always make sure that any website you use to make online purchases is genuine. Such websites are usually validated and make use of secure connections.

Britney Fuller is a writer who enjoys writing on a number of different verticals. For more on identity theft, Online Security Authority offers readers information on tips for job seekers concerned with identity theft.

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Think your child isn't at risk of becoming yet another victim of identity theft? Think again. The FTC estimates that over 140,000 children are victims of ID theft every year, and the Carnegie Mellon University CyLab Child ID Theft Report showed that children are 51 times more likely to experience ID theft than adults.

Preventing child identity theft can be difficult because kids are easier targets than adults. Their Social Security numbers are unused so it's easier to associate different names and birth dates with them. Their identities are typically a blank slate and the likelihood of discovery is low since most parents don't monitor their children's identities.

The crime can go unnoticed for many years, often until they try to open a bank account or apply for a driver's license, job, student loan, or credit as a young adult. By then their identity could have been stolen and sold multiple times by thieves using it to obtain credit cards, insurance, medical services, employment, housing, passports, government benefits, and loans. The list goes on and on.

Safeguarding your child from identity theft begins with recognizing the signs, such as receiving unsolicited credit card offers or bills in his or her name. Here are five tips for preventing child identity theft:

1. Don't disclose Social Security numbers. Your child's Social Security number is the most important piece of personal information to protect. If an organization requests your child's Social Security number, ask how it will be used and how it will be protected. As the prevalence of ID theft has grown, providing a Social Security number is typically not required unless there are tax implications.

2. Request your child's credit report. The credit reporting agencies don't keep credit reports for minors because they aren't allowed to open lines of credit. If your child has a credit report, you know ID theft has been committed.

3. Get a crosscut shredder and put it to work. Shred all documents you receive in the mail that contain your child's personal information. Remember that mail such as unsolicited credit card offers are indicators of child identity theft, so shred these documents right away. (Don't forget to do this for yourself as well.) Then contact the credit bureaus to see if there's a credit file in your child's name.

4. Don't carry around your child's Social Security number. Preventing child identity theft also includes locking up his or her Social Security number with other important personal identity records such as birth certificates and passports, and only access it when you absolutely need it. Locking up all private information is generally a good idea to prevent houseguests or babysitters from viewing it.

5. Monitor your child's social networking accounts. Identity thieves troll social networking websites, so make sure private information like date of birth, address, and names of family members are not included in profiles. It's also a good idea to set privacy settings so your child's profile can only be viewed by friends and family.

In addition to these do-it-yourself precautions, you can start proactively preventing child identity theft by relying on a trusted company like Entrust America. Entrust America will protect you and your family from all forms of ID theft, and is the only company with a proprietary partnership with law enforcement nationwide to recover identities and ensure you get back to pre-theft status.

Learn more about preventing child identity theft by visiting http://www.TheIdentityAdvocate.com or calling 310.831.4400.

Linda Vincent, R.N., P.I., is an identity theft, medical identity theft, and healthcare fraud prevention expert specializing in medical consulting and investigations. She is the president of The Identity Advocate, which teaches corporations, professional practices, and consumers how to stop identity theft, medical identity theft, and healthcare fraud. Visit http://www.theidentityadvocate.com/ or call 310.831.4400.

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A Review of Kroll's

Since the 1990's, identity theft has grown to be a major criminal problem throughout the United States and Canada. It has resulted in thousands of dollars being lost by both business and individuals and ending up in the hands of criminals. Not only has it resulted in immediate financial losses, but it has also resulted in damaging the solid reputations of innocent victims and left them with destroyed credit histories that has prevented career advancements and home purchases. Identity theft has become one of the major problems facing society in the 21st Century.

Realizing that this problem is a growing concern for people in both the US and Canada, Kroll Fraud Solutions has developed their Identity Theft Shield program. This program is marketed by PrePaid Legal Services, Inc. and is designed to help protect your driver's license number, social security and social insurance number as well as your medical records. By looking at your credit bureau reports and other important data, the program offers top-quality protection to your identity.

This program differs from its competition in that it is backed by one of the largest risk management and fraud prevention companies in the world. Kroll Fraud Solutions stands side by side with you to help restore your identity in the event that anyone happens to steal it. They offer up to $1,000,000 in protection to help restore your identity if it is stolen for any reason. By using proactive searches of national databases and setting fraud alerts on your credit report, this program seeks to stop identity theft before it happens to you. Another fact that sets Identity Theft Shield apart from its competition is that it offers protection for the entire family unit. Many other programs simply offer individual protection and then charge a fee for each additional person needing identity theft protection. The Identity Theft Shield program wraps this all together in one low monthly cost. This saves your family money because you will not face having to pay for multiple identity protection policies.

In addition to the differences that are mentioned above, the Identity Theft Shield program from Kroll Fraud Solutions offers numerous advantages not found in other programs. One major advantage is that this program is compliant with all aspects of the Fair Credit Reporting Act and other national regulations regarding credit reporting. It also is backed by a company with more than 30 years of expertise in preventing and investigating criminal fraud. It also is formulated by one of the few companies that is compliant with the Safe Harbor Act. The Shield program also is run by investigators and customer support personnel that understand the importance of recognizing a credit fraud violation as a leading indicator of a larger identity theft problem. Overall, this program is designed to provide better identity protection than any other program on the market.

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