If there's an industry that has its critics, it's definitely that of identity theft protection services. The naysayers insist these services can't live up to their promises. Then there are those who swear by them. Who's right and who's wrong? Let's shed some light on the subject.
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There are probably a hundred small steps we can all take to prevent identity theft from happening to us. So why aren't more of us doing something about it? Because we fall into a sense of complacency. A feeling of "It can never happen to me." That sense of security can cost you. If you're not doing anything to protect yourself from identity theft and you think there are just too many steps to take, why not start with these four...
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When a crime is committed we like to think that it's the criminals to blame. After all, you can't blame the victim. However, in the realm of identity theft sometimes there's more than one party at fault. Don't get me wrong - the criminal is definitely to blame, but they're usually not the only ones...
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Preventing identity theft has gone high tech in many regards. You've got Internet security programs, identity theft protection services and other helpful and powerful prevention tools. The problem is, with all of these advanced identity theft tools many of us forget about the basics. Here's a review of some of the fundamental identity theft prevention steps we should all be taking.
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You'd like to think that the government works for us, not against us - especially when it comes to identity theft. It seems, however, that the United States Postal Service has actually helped identity theft criminals in some instances. If you want to make sure the USPS doesn't help steal your identity, here are some things you need to know...
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Vacation is supposed to be fun, so the last thing you should be worried about is identity theft, right? Wrong! In fact, the only time my mother-in-law had ever been the victim of identity theft is when someone from a tourist store stole her credit card information. She remembered it happening because they took a "carbon" of her card and gave her a shady excuse when she asked why. Sure enough, a few days later she had fraudulent charges on that card. Turns out the store employees had been doing that to out-of-towners for quite a while. If you want to stay safe from identity theft when you travel, here are some things to consider.
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We say that identity theft is a crime that can hit anyone. That no one is safe, regardless of where you life. And that's true -- to a point. While you may be at risk of identity theft no matter what area of the world you reside in, it seems that Arizona residents are more at risk than most.
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You really hate to think of yourself as a suspicious individual - someone who thinks there are criminals lurking in every corner - but the fact of the matter is that being that way sometimes can help keep you from being a victim of identity theft. While you don't want to see the evil in every person you meet, you need to protect your information from everyone - and that means people you might usually trust with it.
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The other day I saw a LifeLock identity theft commercial on television and was rather shocked by the whole thing. I wasn't even really watching television -- it was mostly playing in the background. I noticed the commercial was for LifeLock so I took a closer look and suddenly realized there was the CEO's social security number blazoned across the TV screen. And that's when I found myself asking this question - is LifeLock's commercial an ingenious display of the company's confidence in it's services or evidence of a false sense of security?
Continue reading "Identity Theft: Putting Your Money Where Your Mouth Is" »
Recently tornadoes tore through areas of Southern Wisconsin and I kept hearing things on the news about people finding mail belonging to families in different counties - which got me to thinking about identity theft. Tornadoes wreak a path of destruction when they touch down, but the threat may not disappear with the storm. It may stick around for months following the disaster.
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Believe it or not, many identity theft crimes begin at the mailbox. How? Because the nasty little identity theft gremlins (or criminals, if you prefer) tamper with people's mailboxes, stealing mail with very personal information. Account statements, credit card bills, even communication from the IRS, your employer and the Social Security administration can all make their way to your mailbox at one time or another. If you want to keep these documents safe and protect yourself from identity theft, there are some things you need to do.
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When tax time comes your personal information is everywhere. From social security numbers to employer and income information, it's an identity theft nightmare waiting to happen. Unless, of course, you're a thief. Then it's identity theft paradise. Here are some tips to keep you safe from identity theft during tax season.
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Passwords are our safeguards for our online accounts, but if you don't practice proper password management that sense of security your passwords give you may be a false one. Fortunately, there are password management tools out there that can help. Wondering what password management software is and why you would even need it? Here's the answers you're looking for...
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Okay, it's not even Christmas yet so why am I talking about New Year's resolutions for identity theft prevention? Because when it comes to identity theft, it's never too early to get a head start. After all, you can bet the crooks aren't sitting on their laurels. Why should you? If you don't have the following identity theft prevention tools in place yet, make a resolution to do so for the new year.
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It seems that business really picks up around the holidays – and not just legitimate business either. Identity theft criminals seem to go into full swing this time of year. Just like the lighting of the tree at Rockefeller Center is ripe for pick pockets, the holiday season itself is an identity theft crook's dream come true. Here are 5 tips to keep you safe this holiday season.
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If you know someone who might not try as hard as you do to prevent identity theft, you can address the issue this holiday season with some carefully planned gifts. From document disposal to PC security, here are some gifts that can really help prevent identity theft.
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Sometimes it takes a “wake up call” for someone to realize that it's really the small things that can have the biggest impact on preventing identity theft. I had one such wake up call recently. If you're wondering what unlocked car doors have to do with identity theft, read on...
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All forms of fraud, including identity theft, cost consumers over $1 billion a year. Nope, that's not a number I pulled out of a hat. That's a fact according to the Federal Trade Commission. In fact, many sources consider identity theft to be one of the fastest-growing crimes. If you want to prevent identity theft, there are a few things you should keep in mind.
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Identity theft has been a growing concern in recent years, and the widespread availability of social networking sites has the potential to make the problem worse. Websites like Myspace and Facebook are very popular especially with teens and young adults, and the amount of information that users post on their profiles can really assist an identity theft criminal.
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Identity theft is always a concern, but during the holiday season your risk of identity theft increases quite a bit. While you should always take precautions to prevent identity theft, you should definitely step up your efforts during the holidays. Here are some helpful tips to reduce your identity theft risk this holiday season. Just keep the word “holiday” in mind, and you’ll be prepared this year.
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It’s almost time to begin holiday shopping, and millions of Americans use credit cards to make their holiday purchases. If you’re among those millions, the following identity theft tips will help you prevent identity theft this holiday season. Before you shop, read our identity theft tips.
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Sometimes it can get overwhelming trying to remember identity theft prevention tips. We’ve decided to make it easy for you. Below you’ll find eight identity theft prevention tips, using the word “identity” as your memory cue.
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Identity theft has been on the rise in recent years, and a recent news article has indicated that Birmingham, Alabama has now made the top 50 U.S. cities for identity theft. There are always stories that highlight the risk of identity theft for citizens living in certain cities, states, or geographic regions. While this information is informative and helpful to know, make sure you’re not lured into a false sense of security.
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If you watched the season premiere of Ghost Whisperer last week, you might remember the scene where the reporter went to visit Melinda’s professor-friend at the university. When the professor went to get a book on the other side of the room, his view was obstructed by the bookcases. The reporter took advantage of this, inserted a USB stick into the professor’s computer, and copied files. What does that have to do with identity theft? You're about to find out.
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Those of us who have logged on to P2P networks may not have given much thought to how using them could lead to identity theft. Unfortunately, identity theft criminals did give thought to the topic -- a lot of thought. It seems that using P2P networks can indeed lead to becoming the next victim of an identity theft crime. If you're wondering how (or if you're wondering what P2P is) then you need to read this...
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When it comes to preventing identity theft, shredders play a key role. After all, the type of shredder you have can make all the difference in the world. An identity thief isn't beyond piecing together paper strips to get the information they need. Trying to put back together thousands of pieces of confetti, however, is a different story entirely. If you're serious about preventing identity theft, these shredders are the ones you should be looking into.
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Our home is a haven away from the real world and we'd all like to think we're safe there. Unfortunately, our homes are more susceptible than many of us think, especially when it comes to identity theft. It's time to think about all of the people who come in and out of our homes each day and how it can put your identity at risk.
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It's no secret we love blogs -- after all, you're reading one of our favorite right now. But are the very blogs that have become a way of online life an identity theft threat? The answers may surprise you.
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As consumers concerned about identity theft, we'd like to think that the stores we shop at work hard to keep our personal information safe. Unfortunately, it seems as though some stores haven't held to that ideal. In fact, if you're not careful, your store receipts may actually put you at risk of becoming the next identity theft victim.
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I've said it once and I'll say it again -- identity theft protection services can only take you so far. You still have to be mindful of what you do with your personal information. A recent "test" conducted by an executive at one of the biggest identity theft protection companies out there proves just how dangerous it can be to let your guard down.
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When we think about websites like Myspace and Facebook, identity theft isn't usually the first thing that comes to mind. Unfortunately though, it should be an important consideration. It seems that these social websites are quickly becoming breeding grounds for identity theft crimes.
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Identity theft is an ugly crime and it's no surprise that people will do anything they can to prevent it from happening to them. Many identity theft experts advocate credit monitoring services for those who are serious about fighting identity theft. The question is, can credit monitoring really prevent the crime, or are the benefits of credit monitoring services highly misunderstood?
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When it comes to identity theft, there is definitely cause for concern. But are companies starting to take advantage of the fear that this very personal crime instills in us? The sad fact of the matter is, some companies are. Before you go spending money to protect yourself from identity theft, there are some things you need to consider.
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Identity theft can be an overwhelming thing to consider, but one way to prevent identity theft involves staying informed. It’s certainly important for you to follow all of the standard advice regarding identity theft reduction such as safeguarding your social security number and shredding important financial documents, but your children should also do their part to prevent identity theft.
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It’s important to be careful who you give information to these days in order to reduce your risk of identity theft. This information could be just enough to help an identity crook. This article will look at certain situations where you may want to pass on giving away your personal info. The end result will be a lower risk of identity theft.
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Paypal is a popular service that people use to send and receive payments online. Lately, however, it seems that more and more consumers are worried about Paypal being a possible identity theft risk. If you use Paypal and you’re worried about its safety, there are some things you need to know…
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The social security number has become an easy universal way of identifying people, but that was never its intended purpose. In fact, the open use of our social security numbers may be increasing the rate of identity theft crimes. Below you’ll learn more about protecting yourself from identity theft by protecting your social security number.
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Identity theft is a concern for everyone, although some individuals aren't as familiar with the topic as they should be. If you feel you could stand to learn a bit more about identity theft, this article's for you. Below you’ll find some easy X, Y, Z tips for preventing identity theft.
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With identity theft on the rise, it would seem that the best course of action is to prevent identity theft before it happens. But can you really prevent identity theft? There are definitely some steps you can and should take to reduce your risk of identity theft, but is it possible to ever completely prevent identity theft altoghether?
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Many of the con artists that run identity theft scams do so by “impersonating” legitimate businesses. While the scams vary, the results is the same... Someone becomes the victim of an identity theft crime. If you want to prevent identity theft from happening to you and those you care about, you need this information.
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What's in your wallet? No, this isn't a credit card commercial. It's a serious question you need to ask yourself unless you want to unwittingly contribute to your own case of identity theft. Interested in learning why? Read on...
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If you are planning to be away from your house for any prolonged period of time, then there are certain things you need to do beforehand in order to prevent identity theft. Many people tend to focus on mail and newspaper delivery before they leave home, but there are other important issues to consider. It’s certainly important to not forget to put a hold on your mail and newspaper delivery, however there are some other identity theft prevention tips that aren’t directly related to identity theft but can still impact your risk. If you want to learn more about how to prevent identity theft when you’re away from home, you’ll learn just how below.
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A recent news article touted the benefits of GPS tracking for reducing identity theft risk. Most of us are familiar with GPS tracking as a way to make our traveling much easier. However GPS tracking can actually help reduce our risk of identity theft.
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If you want to prevent identity theft (and any type of theft, really), you need to be careful about what you leave in your car. Don’t make it any easier for an identity theft criminal to get your private information whether you’re at home or on the road.
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It’s much better to prevent identity theft than it is to try to address it after it has occurred. Identity theft affects many individuals from all walks of life every year. No one is really immune, and there are many ways identity theft can happen. When you learn to prevent identity theft, you can significantly reduce the likelihood that you will become the victim of identity theft.
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Identity theft is a growing threat but luckily banks and other businesses are doing something to reduce consumers’ risk of identity theft. You might have already experienced some of the new ways that companies are trying to reduce the risk of identity theft for their customers.
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Identity theft is a growing threat but luckily banks and other businesses are doing something to reduce consumers’ risk of identity theft. You might have already experienced some of the new ways that companies are trying to reduce the risk of identity theft for their customers.
Continue reading "Preventative Measures Banks Take to Reduce Your Risk of Identity Theft" »