Protection and Prevention
As a consumer, the only way to prevent identity theft is to be aware of how your identity can be stolen in the first place. More often than not it can involve advanced ways such as the internet, but other methods can be as simple as digging through a consumer’s dumpster. For information on how your identity is stolen, refer to:
Identity Theft and Your Mail Box
Identity Theft Methods Rarely Considered
Help! My Purse or Wallet Was Lost or Stolen
Common Ways Identity Thieves Get a Hold of Your Information
The Thieves Behind Identity Theft
The Facts on Criminal Identity Theft
Most Common Types of Consumer Fraud
More often than not, a consumer’s identity is stolen through the use of scams. These scams can be from the internet, the telephone, your mail, or even from a door-to-door individual. By understanding the most common scams and how they work, a consumer can protect themselves against them. For information on common identity scams, read up on:
Vishing, Phishing and Pharming
The New Identity Thief – Spyware
Being Caught In a Net with Phishing Scams
A Consumers Guide to Avoiding Telemarketing Scams
The internet is a dangerous place when it comes to protecting your identity. Though there are safeguards a consumer can take, they need to be aware of the dangers that the internet poses when it comes to their identity and how to combat against them. For information regarding internet scams and online identity protection, refer to:
Internet Activities That Expose Your Personal Information
How to Secure Your Computer Online
Cloud Computing and Identity Theft
Protecting Yourself from Internet Account Takeovers
Selecting a Strong Password for Online Use
Preventing Identity Theft with Online Job Seeking
Identity Theft Prevention Online
As a consumer, there are a lot of preventative measures you can take to ensure that your identity is safe. These preventative measures can range from eliminating junk mail to hiring professional services. For information on ways to protect your identity, refer to:
Shopping Security with Prepaid Debit Cards
Identity Theft and Your Mailbox
Taking the Steps to Prevent Identity Theft
Preventing Identity Theft — Protecting Personal Information
Preventing Identity Theft by Protecting Your Social Security Number
Handling Your Information Responsibly
Place a Freeze on Your Identity Vulnerability
Removing Your Name from Junk Mail Lists
Further in-depth identity theft protection resource.