Identity theft is the fastest growing crime in many countries around the world today.  Therefore, it really is incumbent upon you to defend yourself on all levels against identity theft.  Towards accomplishing this important goal, you need  to make an honest assessment of all of the different ways in which you may become the target of an identity thief.  Through this article, you are provided with an overview of how your own children can become a vehicle through which an ID thief can end up making you (or even your children) the victims of identity theft.

If you do have children who use the Internet you already have taken the time (one would think) in educating yourself about the predators that prey on children online.  Of course, a great deal of this attention is focused on the online predators that entice children and attempt to committed sexual crimes on these minors.

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Identity theft is one of the most serious forms of crime today. Indeed, statistically speaking you have a more than one in ten chance of becoming the victim of identity theft this year alone. Keeping in mind that not even children are immune from becoming the victims of identity theft in this day and age, odds are strong that you will become a victim of identity theft not once but upwards to eight or nine separate times during the course of your lifetime. With these startling statistics in mind, it is important for you to take any and all legitimate steps possible to protect yourself from falling victim to identity theft. (more…)

LifeLock on the Today Show LifeLock on CNN

The CEO of America’s leading identity theft protection service says the evidence is clear

TEMPE, AZ – For the past two years LifeLock CEO Todd Davis has been giving out his real Social Security number to anyone who would listen. On TV, radio, in print – even for this story.

“It’s 457-55-5462,” Davis said in an interview from the headquarters of America’s leading identity theft protection service. “Of course, you should only share your Social Security number when completely necessary, but I give mine out because of my total confidence in LifeLock’s ability to guarantee my good name.”

LifeLock became the industry leader in identity theft protection by taking proactive steps to keep identity thieves from being able to use their members’ identities, even if their members’ personal information gets in the wrong hands.

What LifeLock doesn’t stop, they fix at their expense up to $1,000,000.

But how well does the LifeLock system work? Davis says look at the facts: (more…)

Identity theft is a growing crime, and the crimes that accompany this type of theft is becoming more varied and more popular. So who are the biggest targets for identity theft? Who is at a bigger risk? Could it be you?

If you are wondering who are targets for identity theft, then the answer is simple - everyone! Everyone and anyone that has personal data and information can have it stolen, and it is whether or not you choose to take a few basic steps to protect yourself that changes the chances you have of becoming a target. (more…)

Identity theft is becoming a serious problems in all corners of the globe, and with the advancement of technology like the internet, new ways to steal your identity are coming about every day. It is becoming harder and harder to protect yourself from this crime and ensuring your personal data is safe is becoming a constant struggle. You wouldn’t want to give your personal details to a complete stranger, but the reality is, you are doing this every time you sign up to a social networking site. (more…)

If you believe you have been a victim of identity theft, then your first priority will be to act fast, very fast! It only takes a few minutes for somebody with your details to apply for a loan in your name, or to purchase something with your credit cards. The people you should first report to very much depends on the object that you think has been stolen to be used in a case of identity theft. (more…)

If you have been a victim of identity theft, then you can understand how this crime can seriously ruin your life. If you haven’t, then you either have no idea, or only have a faint clue to what it feels like.

The consequences of identity theft are very real and are very distressing. It doesn’t matter for what purposes your identity has been stolen, serious damage can be caused. If somebody has found your details, they can use them for a number of things. For example, next time you throw away an old bank statement or credit card receipt, just think of what could happen if somebody were to find those scraps of paper. Not only will they contain your name and address, but they also contain details of your bank, and credit card details. It doesn’t take a genius to work out that these sorts of information can be used for. (more…)

If you were already worried about the increasing rate of identity theft, and the costs caused to both the companies and the individuals themselves, then you are in for an even bigger worry, and that is the new type of identity theft that is coming about, commonly called pretexting. (more…)

A warning for all internet and email users!

It’s almost Valentine’s Day once again but before opening up that  E-Valentine’s Card, you may want to think again.  It may not be coming from cupid but instead from someone ready to spread the so called Storm Worm virus.

The Storm Worm virus have used the various holidays in the previous year to send out millions of emails and electronic cards such as Valentine’s E-Cards.  It is a malicious software (malware) and it does infect computer machines and made it become a part of of the Storm Worm botnet.  A botnet is a network of compromised machines but under the control of a single user.  Botnets are known to be to be set up to facilitate criminal activity such as phishing, spam emails, identity theft and other servcice attacks to spread malware to other computers online.  When a user clicks on the email link, he automatically downloaded the malware and his computer system is infected.

It is very important to be extra careful in opening up any e-card emails. Make sure that you know the sender before opening e-cards.  Do not open any unsolicited e-mail and if you accidentally opened them, never click on any links provided.

How Does Identity Theft Happen?

Identity thieves use items like your driver’s license or Social Security number to assume your identity. With just a few items of personal information, an experienced identity thief can open new bank accounts and write bad checks, get new credit card accounts in your name and not pay the bills, get a personal, car loan or cash advances, create cellular phones accounts or utility services and start running up bills, change your mailing address and charge on your existing credit card accounts, illegally obtain employment or rent an apartment but refuse to pay the lease until being evicted. (more…)