It seems with it being such a hot topic today, everyone is exploring ways for preventing identity theft. Look online and they send you in a variety of directions. Even then you’re left hunkered down expecting that dreaded phone call.

So then what are the easiest things that you can do right now to tighten things up? Things that you don’t have to be tech savvy to accomplish. Well the following is a list of three common sense tips that you can check out and incorporate into your life for greater security.

• Tip #1 for Preventing Identity Theft

Your first bit of advise, is to never co-sign for anyone on anything. All you have to do is watch court TV to see that these types of deals have a very high failure rate. Also remember that the very reason that they’re coming to you is because they have already screwed up their own credit.

You don’t have to be a jerk when you say no either. But do bear in mind that you’ve most likely been fingered as a soft touch. If it’s a young relative who perhaps is in need of a car and you do want to help, consider loaning or giving them some money to build up their down payment so they wont need a co-signer.

Now you may not consider co-signing to be identity theft. However; once you look at it more closer, there are very close resemblances. The first one is that you’re convinced to hand over your personal information. The second similarity is that you end up being stuck with someone else’s bills and wreckage.

• Tip #2 for Preventing Identity Theft

Your second tip is to buy and have installed a secure locking mail box. Now so much of the advise that’s handed out today for preventing identity theft involves actions that you can take over the phone or computer. So if you think about it, this is the one thing that involves actual physical labor.

That alone is what stops most people in their tracks and it’s a shame too. This is because so much of your vital personal information is left sitting right out in the open, day in and day out this way until you go out and retrieve it. Anyone who really wants to can open it.

You can pick one up down at your local Home Depot or Lowe’s outlet, along with a bag of ready mix concrete. Just dig a hole, plug the post in, pour in the concrete and level it up. You can even pour the cement in dry then add some water with your hose. Remember that you can’t even even trust your neighbors these days.

• Tip #3 for Preventing Identity Theft

Buy a paper shredder and use it. You see what many people fail to realize is that once they toss their private papers in the trash, it’s only the beginning of a long journey for them. I’ll bet you think that the garbage man picks them up and takes them to the dump and buries them. Well you are wrong!

Today in most instances, your trash is taken to a recycling center that in many cases employs convict labor from a local jail or state prison. That’s right! Felons and even convicted identity thieves will be thumbing through your documents and deciding what should be done with them. Now that’s a comforting thought!

Now even if they make it past their pockets and into a proper paper recycling bin, that’s still not he end of it. This is because eventually they’ll be baled up and sent off to be sold to a wholesaler. They can even be shipped overseas and end up in some shady, mob run recycling operation.

• What will an identity theft coverage plan do?

• What to look for in the best coverage plans

The truly bitter irony of identity theft is that its primary victims are those who have done the most to secure a high credit rating. They pay their bills on time and are prudent with lines of credit, then some scum comes along and trashes it all. That is unless the person has identity theft coverage.

Your High Credit Score Makes You a Target

So it’s good honest hard working folks who suffer the most from this scourge. People who may have worked their entire lives to bring their rating up to the level that it was. It’s also important to remember that the crooks who steal a persons ID, don’t have the slightest bit of concern for the wreckage that they leave their victims saddled with.

Three Levels of Identity Theft Coverage

Identity theft coverage plans are perfectly suited to answer the needs of individuals who seek protection. They function on three levels and those are protection, monitoring and recovery. Protection to insure that your identity isn’t stolen. Monitoring to pick up any action and recovery help in the event that it is and damage is done.

Protection Starts at the Very Source

In simple terms, protection starts at the very source of publicly accessed information. It’s there that an identity theft coverage plan provider will work to plug holes and make you a harder target to hit. Then the monitoring takes place at several areas to watch over your information sources and notify you of any unusual or suspicious actions.

No More Phone Solicitors or Junk Mail

You’ll be taken off of annoying phone solicitor call lists and the level of junk mail that you receive will also drop considerably. Your provider will also be able to advise you on things that you can do and not do as you go about your day to day life to better secure your personal information from prying eyes and sticky fingers.

A Free Lawyer and Full Financial Reimbursement

The best of identity theft coverage plans even offer free legal services in the event that a lawyer is needed. A lawyer who specializes in identity theft recovery law. Also you need to pay attention to the amount of financial reimbursement that you are eligible for. The better policies offer total coverage in this area.

• How much risk do you face today?

• Can you face criminal charges?

Of course by now if you are reading this, you’re fully aware that no one and that even includes children is safe without an identity theft shield. In fact would you believe that over 400,000 people under the age of 18 had their identities stolen just last year?

A Do it Yourself Identity Theft Shield?

So now what it really comes down to, is whether you’re going to institute security measures on your own or procure the services of one of the many identity theft protection companies that are available online. And there are many that offer a wide range of services.

Having a Professional Job Done

Now without going into specifics, it is my heartfelt opinion that just as in so many other areas in life, you will be far better served by going with a professional service. Why? Simply put because they are professionals. They do a professional job.

A Frightening New Prospect!

There really is just too much at stake today. For instance it used to be that for the most part, a person had to worry about a financial calamity of their identity was stolen. Now however, you face the frightening prospect of your identity being used to perpetuate actual crimes online.

Innocent Until Proven Guilty?

Sound hard to believe? Well tell that to the people who have been dragged off to jail in handcuffs for crimes that they didn’t commit. Of course you’re innocent until proven guilty but it can take months and even time in jail before you accomplish that, if you ever do.

Is It Really Worth the Risk?

In the eyes of the prosecutor, you’ll be just one more defendant who steps forward to proclaim that they have the wrong person and that the real criminal is still out there. Perhaps you remember OJ? So yes you can do an identity theft shield yourself but will it be a professional job?

• How Vulnerable are you online?

• Take a simple quick test to find out!
  

You have taken all the right steps to prevent identity theft in your home and or business but what about theft online? Did you know that you don’t even need to have your personal information on your computer to have it stolen using common phishing techniques?

Think it Can’t Happen to You?

Believe it or not, people are conned into handing it over every day. Think it cant happen to you? Take a quick test. Can you tell right off hand which one of the following three names is legitimate? (Publishing Clearing House – Publishers Clearing House – Publishers Clearance House)

Prevent Identity Theft Through the Name Game

Would you believe that the confusion over those three names has cost thousands of people millions of dollars in con games over the years ? Well it has and in fact this particular name switching game happens to be one of the least sophisticated phishing scams. By the way, it’s Publishers Clearing House.

Just One Switched Letter

So perhaps this gives you some idea of how easy it is to switch just one word in a web address to trick people into thinking that they’re dealing with a legitimate known business site. A site that once you enter even resembles the genuine article down to the slightest detail.

Is it a Real or Fake Website?

So rule number one, is to never ever hand over your personal information until you have verified unequivocally that the site you are dealing with is legitimate. So then how can you tell if a site is legitimate? For one thing a legitimate site operator for the most part will never contact you to ask for your personal information.

Don’t Open Unsolicited Emails

By and large that greater majority of phishing techniques are perpetuated by way of unsolicited emails. Some are incredibly complex and even now, more sophisticated techniques continue to evolve. So how can you prevent identity theft by way of unsolicited emails? That’s simple. Just don’t open them.

• This a more personal & devastating crime

• Don’t let it effect you mentally

For most people, being victimized by a professional career criminal and finding themselves in identity theft recovery is a completely new and once in a lifetime experience. Oh sure you may have had your car or truck broken into or had your ice chest stolen on a camping trip or picnic but nothing like this.

Why Won’t they Call Out the Posse?

Not only are the impacts on your life far more severe but you simply don’t have the time or resources to devote to catching the perpetrator in this case. Yes you went down and filed a report at your local sheriffs department but perhaps you may have noticed their lack of enthusiasm.

They’re Long Gone Down the Road

Its not that they don’t care. Its just that in so many of these types of cases, the chances of catching the perpetrator and reclaiming your money is simply a very long shot, at best. Now they may catch them further down the road but only after they have chewed their way through any number of more victims.

Stuck Between a Rock and a Hard Place

So there you sit going over a notice from the IRS regarding unpaid taxes that you supposedly earned on a farm in Salinas California, while creditors ring your phone off the hook regarding a host of bogus lines of credit. Even if you wanted to pay them, you cant because your bank savings has been stolen.

You’ve Been Getting the Shaft for Months!

Then your mind starts to go back over the past six months. Aha! Now you know why you were turned down for those jobs you applied for and the apartment in the nice gated community. They checked out your credit report and figured you to be deadbeat. So for all intents and purposes your life is one big train wreck.

You Will Spend Days Glued to Your Phone

There really is no chance for closure because it will take years before you clear your name and get the dept straightened out. Also there simply is no time or resources to spend finding out who did it. Even if you could, you simply have more pressing matters at hand. In the initial stages of identity theft recovery some people spend 8-10 hours a day on the phone trying to clean the mess up.

Community Support Groups for Victims Like Yourself


So it all can and often does leave a person a “table pounding” psychological mess if they try to tough it out alone. You really do need someone to talk to who has gone through the same experience that you’re now being put through. For this you need to locate and get connected with a survivors support group in your community.

Consider Seeing a Doctor for Tranquilizers

Another item you might consider to help you through your identity theft recovery is seeing a doctor for a prescription of tranquilizers. Now even if you’re just not the type to use a chemical crutch, its important to understand that this time around its different. People have been permanently traumatized by the same thing you’re about to go through.

• Learn to recognize the danger areas

• Then learn how to cut them off!

Whether you realize it or not, the moment you board a plane to visit a foreign country, you become a prime target for any number of rip off schemes. Learning how to prevent identity theft when your visiting a foreign country should be tops on your list because your vital personal information is at risk.

How to prevent identity theft in paradise

The Problem is Worldwide

Prime vacation venues in Europe, Asia and Latin America are flocking with thieves and con artists who are all set up and just waiting for your arrival. They work in airports, hotels, restaurants, bars and drive taxis etc. Also don’t bother trying to pick them out because they can be virtually anyone.

Don’t Bother Trying to Pick them Out

In fact it’s the kind and friendly personalities that you have to be on guard for. The sweet friendly maid, the suave affluent hotel owner or manager, the helpful tour guide, the local church pastor or the local cop who’s moonlighting as your hotels security guard. It can be anyone.

Learn How to Prevent Identity Theft In Hotels

You see you’re on vacation, not them and they’ve had years to perfect their craft. Some of the best have been watching people like you come and go for decades and all they need is 30 seconds with your guard down to make their score. All the while, smiling in your face and treating you with the utmost outward respect.

It’s a Whole New Set of Rules You’ll Be Playing By

They also know that even if they’re caught, you won’t have the time in your schedule to stick around to testify in a court case. They know that once you see your documents missing, language barriers and logistical difficulties make it difficult for your to take any kind of immediate action. Even then, they can always bribe their way out of any problems.

It Only Takes 30 Seconds With Your Guard Down

So then how to prevent identity theft? Rule number one is to trust no one. Rule number two is to adopt basic security measures that would seem paranoid at home. This means that for instance, just because you’re in your hotel room or suite, doesn’t mean that your property is safe. In the time that it takes you to use the bathroom the maid can be in and out with your purse.

You’re Carrying Around a Small Fortune in Some Countries

What you have to understand is that your maid or security guard is earning as little as $25 per day in many instances. In fact in most Latin American, Asian countries and even some European countries, these would be considered quite generous wages. For them and an accomplice to spend a day or two stalking you, is well worth it.

How to Prevent Identity Theft? – Don’t Take Your Eyes Off it

Any personal possessions that you don’t have your hand actually on are in danger of being ripped off. Set them down and the risk factor increases. Take your eyes off them and they increase even more. Leave the room or your seat with your eyes off them and the risk factor skyrockets.

Have You Ever Heard Of Keystroke Tracking Software?

So then how can you actually prevent “identity theft” when your on your vacation or business trip? To start off with never ever enter any passwords into any computer other than your lap top. Assume that keystroke tracking software is installed in any and all computers in hotels and Internet cafes.

Beware of ATM Machines in Non-secure Locations

Only use ATM machines that are located behind the doors of a bank, if at all possible. If your card becomes stuck after you have entered your password, then stop and call to have it canceled “immediately”. Even better yet, leave it at home and simply use travelers checks because that’s what they are for.

ATMs With Hidden Cameras and False Fronts


If you have no other option than to use an unsecured ATM machine, than take the time to check the machine out carefully. Remember the TV shows that you’ve watched that showed ATM machines rigged with hidden cameras and false fronts? Well they’re reality in foreign countries!

Use a Money Belt or a Security Purse

Use a money belt or a security purse and make sure to check into a hotel that has strong boxes in the rooms or access to a safe deposit box. Lastly don’t feel embarrassed about letting people know that you don’t trust them. Experienced and professional service staff will understand and won’t be offended. They live there, so they don’t trust anyone either!

• Looking to find unbiased information?

• What about online identity theft blogs?

Check out information online about identity theft companies and you are hit with reams of information that can leave you in fact even more confused. One article will outline in all too perfect detail, how you can hang on to your money by monitoring your credit yourself, while yet another article spells out how you’re doomed if you do.

Identity Theft Companies Aren’t for Everyone

The fact is that in essence they are both right because just like any other service and insurance policy, not everyone needs them. You see it’s your actual level of risk that is in the end the quantifying factor. That is how much you stand to lose, leveraged against how much you are willing to pay.

Minimum vs Maximum Services and Coverage

Of course there are minimum coverage policies that provide basic services that you can in fact do yourself. At the same time in the event of a security breach these minimum policies also offer minimum services as well. Then there are the identity theft companies that provide more in depth coverage and insurance.

Visit an Unbiased Information Source

What I found is that rather then surfing around online doing hit or miss research based on slanted informational material, the best bet is to visit one of the better blogs on the topic like identyzine.com. It’s at online venues like this where you can find truly unbiased information that’s presented by people who have done the research for you.

Surprising Information that Can Truly Help

For example, I was surprised to learn that some identity theft companies actually employ experts who’s job it is to ply the backwaters of the Internet in search of stolen personal information. Credit card and social security numbers etc. This is something that I wouldn’t have the slightest clue how to get started on.

Preemptive Credit Protection Measures

Now of course I can monitor my own credit report but the problem with that is that it only brings to my attention events that are happening after my ID has been stolen. However; the above listed online search service can thwart and alert me to a problem BEFORE a criminal actually gets their hands on my personal information.

• 400,000 Children are Victimized Each Year

• Learn how To use childrens identity theft protection
  

If the thought of identity theft protection for kids sounds a little bit ridiculous to you then consider this: Last year some 400,000 minors under the age of 18 had their identification stolen and misused. So now you may be asking yourself why someone would steal a minors ID?

Even kids need identity theft protection now

Take a Closer Look

Actually the more you look at it, the more it all makes perfect sense. To start out with it’s just easier. This is because people in general tend to be less protective of a child’s personal information. Also in many cases, criminals don’t even have to steal it. For instance, minors are far more willing to give it up in ruses such as fake survey scams.

Is it All making Sense Yet?

Minors in general also tend to have clean credit records. No they aren’t great but none the less they won’t have any negative credit on them. Then combine that with the fact that a parent only on a very rare occasion will ever take the time to even check a child’s credit report, if they even have one. Most credit agencies don’t keep reports on minors.

Classic Warning Signs Be Ignored

Also even in cases where a minors ID has been stolen, many of the common warning signs that would set off alarm bells with an adult, can go unheeded. For instance, credit collection agencies calling about a bad debt that a minor has incurred can easily be considered to be just some mistake and ignored.

What are the Signs to Look For?

So just what are the signs that your child has been victimized? Of course calls from creditors are the universal sign that someones ID has been stolen. However; in the case of a child, it can be taken by a someone who is simply looking for a new credit score. Perhaps someone who has gone through bankruptcy.

It Can Take Years to Detect

In a case like this, where no identity theft protection for a child was in place, it can take years before any bad credit appears if any does at all. In these cases, it may in fact be signs of a positive credit rating that are the telltale signs. Things like unsolicited credit card offers arriving for your child in the mail.

Check their Report Once a Year

Check your children’s credit report once a year if they have one. If you detect any signs of activity, you need to notify the local authorities immediately but that’s only the beginning. Your next step will be to notify each credit reporting agencie’s fraud division and provide them with the following information and documents.

• Your child’s name, address and date of birth

• A copy of his or her birth certificate

• A copy of his or her social security card

• A copy of your drivers license that has your current address on it

• A copy of a current utility bill with your name and address on it
  

• What is a credit fraud alert?

• How can you arrange to be notified?

For far too many people, the first identity theft alert they receive, is a call from a collection agency. They’re calling to let them know that a loan or line of credit is in default. By then the fraud has been ongoing for twelve months on average and fines and penalties have also been attached.

Your Savings Has Been Stolen

Still yet, another clue that you’ve been had, is that your savings and checking account have been drained. For most people though this isn’t the case because there is generally far more money and goods to be had by initiating lines of credit. However; for those with large sums of money banked, this is their rude awakening.

An Early Warning System

So the trick is in putting in place warning systems that tell you when your identity has been pirated and that the person who has done it is attempting to use it. An analogy would be an alarm system that sounds off when a burglar is trying to beak into your home, instead of one that sounds as they’re driving off with your possessions.

An Identity Theft Alert on Your Credit File

One of the easiest and most basic types of identity theft alert, is a fraud alert that’s attached to your credit report. With this type of early warning system you’re notified with call that someone is attempting to obtain credit in your name. Even so, a more secure option is a credit-freeze. It completely bars all access to your credit file.

Contact All Three Credit Reporting Agencies

Both of these types of credit protection systems are easy to have installed. All you have to do is contact all three reporting agencies and ask them to flag your file for fraud. Those would be Equfax, Experian and Trans Union. What you’ll run into when you call, is automated voice response systems and it only takes a few minutes.

Your Identity Has Still Been Stolen

Now bear in mind that an alert of this type does nothing to undo the fact that your identity has been stolen. You can also pretty much rest assured that it doesn’t put an end to the crooks game. They can still find nefarious uses for what they have. Also an identity theft alert offers you nothing in the way of actual assistance.

• Learn the shocking statistics!

• You can be charged with crimes!

Identity theft security. It’s something that we all should be thinking about today. You see while your governmental national crime database continues to send out press releases showing that they’re finally getting the upper hand on violent crime, the fact is that crimes involving identity theft only continue to increase.

Think it Can’t Happen to You? – So Did They!!

Speaking of crimes. Are you are you aware that you can actually be charged and face jail or even prison time for crimes that you never actually committed? Sound impossible? Well right now there are people on trail and in jail for crimes such as wire fraud that were committed by someone who stole their identity.

Can You Prove that Someone Stole Your Identity?

You see what far too many people and you may be one of them, completely fail to understand is that the onus is on you to prove that your identity has been stolen and that someone else is out there essentially “being you”. Also in this age of the Internet forget about just going out an mustering witnesses to clear you.

The Trail Can Lead Right Back to You!

Right now online scammers, rip off artists and the worst types of smut peddlers are using other peoples names and identities to open bank accounts, open Internet accounts and go into business. Then after they’ve made their money and the police are closing in, they simply vanish. Well sort of because the police will have a name.

Setting You Up to Take the Fall

Will it be your name and if so will you be able to prove that they have the wrong person? One thing you have to consider that many of the worst of these types of scum, set the whole thing up so you will take the fall. They’ll operate in your city or town and even learn to duplicate your signature. They become you!

Getting Serious About Identity Theft Security

So then who can you trust when it comes to identity theft security? Just who are these heartless dirt-bags that do these types of things to decent people, only for the sake of the almighty dollar? Would you believe that statistics have born out that almost half of all cases of identity theft involve friends, neighbors or family?

Would You Leave $5,000 Just Laying Around?

Sound hard to believe? Well it shouldn’t because when it comes to so many other crimes the “family and friend factor” goes even higher. You have to understand that your identity has a value on the criminal black market, so when you’re leaving your personal information out in the open in your home, it’s basically the same thing as leaving thousands of dollars laying around.

It Just Makes No Sense in this Day and Age

It really makes no sense too because secure locking safes, security boxes and locking mailboxes are so affordable now. The locking mailbox will cut off your neighbors and the security box bolted to your closet floor cuts off your family and friends. Bolted to the floor, so they can’t rush it off to a locksmith while you’re out for the day. That’s identity theft security!