Preventing Identity Theft.

Online Identity Theft is so rampant, can it be prevented?

In the case of preventing identity theft, life does not mimic fiction. We are guilty of assuming that what we see on television is real. Pretty much like any other crime, most cases of identity theft cannot be prevented. A person's best course of action may lie in taking steps to minimize their chances of being victimized.

From the statistics we have looked at, if you followed just the commonsense tips we have listed below, you are placing yourself light years ahead of more than 90 percent of the North American population. Sadly, we still believe that this crime only affects our neighbors, never us.

Following this course of action will help you discover if you have been victimized sooner than most, and therein lies your advantage. A recent FTC survey found that 25% of credit identity theft victims took six months or more to discover they had in fact been compromised. Because you have discovered the fraud sooner, you now have an opportunity to minimize to consequences. You must act now however!

Commonsense Tips to preventing identity theft.

• Start with your internet access. Install virus protection software that do two things automatically. First it should have its own Firewall, and secondly, it should update itself AUTOMATICALLY. The software we use does both of those things and now have even added Identity Theft Protection to their package for 2007! You may find a link to their web site on our "More IDT Resources" Page.
• Password-protect all files that contain sensitive data. Never use the most obvious names to create passwords. SSN digits, mother's maiden name, birthdays etc. Remember the thieves probably have those too.
  
  A further caution: If you are a Windows operating system user, NEVER allow Windows to save your password. This is one of the easiest things for hackers to crack. You have been warned!
• Check all financial statements AS SOON AS THEY ARE RECEIVED. Time works against you just as hard as it works for an identity thief.
• Never, ever give identifying information over the telephone, unless of course, you placed the call and you are certain that you have the correct trusted party at the other end.

“We won't kid you, so don't kid yourself. No one can promise to prevent your personal information from being stolen. We will tell you though, there are programs out there that does a good job of protecting your identity.”

• Always be conscious of your surroundings when using ATM'S or phone cards. "Shoulder surfers" are using very sophisticated equipment and can record information from hidden locations using binoculars and video cameras
• Keep records of expenditures AND compare them with monthly statements. Follow the directions on the statements to resolve inconsistencies
• Shred all sensitive documents before placing them in the trash. Use a cross-cut shredder and yes, put the trash out in the mornings.
• The most important Tip in our opinion, Invest in Identity Theft Protection! You have no excuse if you own items like a car, house or boat alarms, security lights, motion detectors, health club memberships, etc. Protecting your identity should be considered as just an extension of protecting the physical you!

Is there something to Prevent Identity Theft? What should it do?

First and foremost, a protection package should give you peace of mind. Safe in the fact that, by having the fraud protection, you will detect the crime early enough to minimize it's impact on your lifestyle.

In addition, a package should allow you to take the following corrective measures:

1. Review your credit standings through a current credit report
2. Monitor your credit continuously
3. Restore your name without you still having to make the usual sacrifices of time and finances, as you would have to without the protection.

There is really only one company that covers these three aspects with distinction. They are not newcomers to the field of Identity Theft and have done work for large companies as well as the Federal Government. Because we are affiliated with them, in fairness, we will not publish their name here. What we will do, is mention that you may contact us HERE and we will send you a link to their website.

P. S. Just as a side-note, we have heard some people say that we shouldn't be charged to have our Identities monitored. Let's be realistic here. The charge is really insignificant to begin with and secondly, without having any alternative, should we just sit back and hope that it doesn't happen to us? Fat chance of that happening if the FTC know what they are talking about!

There are many things in life we should not be paying for, however, we will say this, the choice is always up to us. When we decide not to buy groceries, we are saying in essence, that we don't mind going hungry. Efforts to prevent our identities from being stolen should not carry the same level of relevance. The consequences far outweigh the expenditure and then some.