Identity Theft: Most Popular Articles
These articles are the most popular over the last month.
How it Happens
Identity theft always catches victims by surprise. Knowing how it happens won't stop that surprise, but it will help you to be cautious about how you handle your personal information.
Identity theft always catches victims by surprise. Knowing how it happens won't stop that surprise, but it will help you to be cautious about how you handle your personal information.
Reporting Identity Theft
No matter how you learn about identity theft, reporting it quickly and to the right agencies and companies is essential. These steps will help you quickly begin to regain control of your identity.
No matter how you learn about identity theft, reporting it quickly and to the right agencies and companies is essential. These steps will help you quickly begin to regain control of your identity.
Identity Theft Scams
The risk of identity theft presents itself at every turn. Learn what some of the most common identity theft scams are, and how to prevent them.
The risk of identity theft presents itself at every turn. Learn what some of the most common identity theft scams are, and how to prevent them.
Identity Theft - Articles
An index of articles for the Identity Theft guide site.
An index of articles for the Identity Theft guide site.
Identity Theft
Identity theft is a crime in which a person's confidential, personal information is stolen for the purpose of criminal use.
Identity theft is a crime in which a person's confidential, personal information is stolen for the purpose of criminal use.
Dumpster Diving
One very commonly used low-tech identity theft method is dumpster diving. That's whens someone goes through your trash looking for useful information. Learn how dumpster diving happens and how to protect yourself.
One very commonly used low-tech identity theft method is dumpster diving. That's whens someone goes through your trash looking for useful information. Learn how dumpster diving happens and how to protect yourself.
Little Known ID Theft Risks
Identity theft starts in many different places. Some of those places are completely obvious, like your mail box and online, but there are other identity theft risks that you might not be so familiar with. Learn more about little known identity theft risks in this article.
Identity theft starts in many different places. Some of those places are completely obvious, like your mail box and online, but there are other identity theft risks that you might not be so familiar with. Learn more about little known identity theft risks in this article.
Credit Card Fraud Prevention
Credit card fraud and identity theft are not the same crimes. But you still need to protect yourself from credit card fraud. Learn how in this article.
Credit card fraud and identity theft are not the same crimes. But you still need to protect yourself from credit card fraud. Learn how in this article.
Ecommerce_Security
The majority of identity theft takes place in the real world, away from the Internet. But the Internet is still a commonly used tool in identity theft, and Internet shopping is one area in which you are at risk. Learn online shopping safety tips to help protect your identity and your credit.
The majority of identity theft takes place in the real world, away from the Internet. But the Internet is still a commonly used tool in identity theft, and Internet shopping is one area in which you are at risk. Learn online shopping safety tips to help protect your identity and your credit.
Spear Phishing
Phishing is already a mainstay in identity theft attacks, but now a new method of attack is emerging. Spear phishing targets individuals and can be far more costly than its predecessor. Learn what spear phishing is and how to protect yourself.
Phishing is already a mainstay in identity theft attacks, but now a new method of attack is emerging. Spear phishing targets individuals and can be far more costly than its predecessor. Learn what spear phishing is and how to protect yourself.
Spotting a Phishing Email
It's estimated that 75-100 million phishing emails are sent out each day. These emails are designed to capture your personal and financial information so that criminals can steal your identity. Learn how spot a phishing emails so that you can protect yourself from this threat.
It's estimated that 75-100 million phishing emails are sent out each day. These emails are designed to capture your personal and financial information so that criminals can steal your identity. Learn how spot a phishing emails so that you can protect yourself from this threat.
Protect Personal Information
You're told all the time to protect your personal information, but do you know what to protect? What information is it that identity thieves are after? And is some information more valuable than others? Find out what personal information thieves want most in this article.
You're told all the time to protect your personal information, but do you know what to protect? What information is it that identity thieves are after? And is some information more valuable than others? Find out what personal information thieves want most in this article.
What Mail to Shred
Postal mail is one of the most used methods of identity theft. Learn what mail puts you at risk, and then reduce the risk by shredding it.
Postal mail is one of the most used methods of identity theft. Learn what mail puts you at risk, and then reduce the risk by shredding it.
ID Theft Recovery
It's scary when identity theft happens. Your first instinct is to panic. But you shouldn't. Instead, begin immediately to put your identity back together following these steps.
It's scary when identity theft happens. Your first instinct is to panic. But you shouldn't. Instead, begin immediately to put your identity back together following these steps.
Employment Scams
Unemployment rates keep rising. But identity thieves don't care if you're out of work. They'll take advantage of you anyway with employment scams designed to steal your personal information. Learn how to protect yourself from identity theft employment scams.
Unemployment rates keep rising. But identity thieves don't care if you're out of work. They'll take advantage of you anyway with employment scams designed to steal your personal information. Learn how to protect yourself from identity theft employment scams.
Repairing Credit Reports
Identity theft usually hits victims where it hurts most: in the wallet. If you've been victimized by identity theft, you want to clean the mess up quickly. This article walks you through the basics of fixing your credit report after identity theft.
Identity theft usually hits victims where it hurts most: in the wallet. If you've been victimized by identity theft, you want to clean the mess up quickly. This article walks you through the basics of fixing your credit report after identity theft.
Spyware Protection
Spyware is one of the most prevalent methods that identity thieves use to collect the information needed to steal your identity. Learn how to recognize and protect your computer from spyware threats.
Spyware is one of the most prevalent methods that identity thieves use to collect the information needed to steal your identity. Learn how to recognize and protect your computer from spyware threats.
Small Biz IDTheft
Small businesses often believe they're too small to interest identity thieves, but they're wrong. Identity thieves have an intense interest in small businesses as Jennifer and Rick learned when their small business identity was stolen by a check forgery ring dealing in gray market goods.
Small businesses often believe they're too small to interest identity thieves, but they're wrong. Identity thieves have an intense interest in small businesses as Jennifer and Rick learned when their small business identity was stolen by a check forgery ring dealing in gray market goods.
Identity Theft - FCRA
The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) of 1970 is a piece of legislation that governs the collection, dissemination, and use of consumer credit information.
The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) of 1970 is a piece of legislation that governs the collection, dissemination, and use of consumer credit information.
Credit Monitoring 101
The explosive growth of identity theft has prompted an equally explosive growth in the number of credit monitoring services available to consumers. But are they worth the investment? This articles explores the value of credit monitoring services.
The explosive growth of identity theft has prompted an equally explosive growth in the number of credit monitoring services available to consumers. But are they worth the investment? This articles explores the value of credit monitoring services.
Preventing Identity Theft
Identity theft happens to about 8 million people each year in the US. The best way to protect yourself is to know how identity theft happens. Learn what signs to look for and the best methods for preventing identity theft.
Identity theft happens to about 8 million people each year in the US. The best way to protect yourself is to know how identity theft happens. Learn what signs to look for and the best methods for preventing identity theft.
Social Networking
The phenomenon of social networks took the business world by surprise. But people are social by nature, so it's natural for them to want to participate in a social network. It's also natural for identity thieves to go where the information is, and people may be unknowingly placing themselves at risk with the information they include on social networking profiles. Learn what personal information not to include on your social networking profile in this article.
The phenomenon of social networks took the business world by surprise. But people are social by nature, so it's natural for them to want to participate in a social network. It's also natural for identity thieves to go where the information is, and people may be unknowingly placing themselves at risk with the information they include on social networking profiles. Learn what personal information not to include on your social networking profile in this article.
Reporting Identity Theft 101
Identity theft happens to even those who protect their identities closely. But when it happens, you want to report it as quickly as possible to limit your liability. Use these steps to quickly report suspected identity theft.
Identity theft happens to even those who protect their identities closely. But when it happens, you want to report it as quickly as possible to limit your liability. Use these steps to quickly report suspected identity theft.
IDTheft by Gadget
Your cell phone, iPod, and GPS system might be putting you at risk for identity theft. These gadgets can be used by identity thieves to gain access to your personal information. Learn how to protect your identity by securing your personal gadgets.
Your cell phone, iPod, and GPS system might be putting you at risk for identity theft. These gadgets can be used by identity thieves to gain access to your personal information. Learn how to protect your identity by securing your personal gadgets.
IDTheft and Mortgage Scams
Identity thieves are interested in your identity for what they can gain from it. When they can access your mortgage or the deed to your home, that can be literally the roof over your head. Your learn what the top mortgage scams are so that you can protect yourself from criminals that would use your information to steal your home.
Identity thieves are interested in your identity for what they can gain from it. When they can access your mortgage or the deed to your home, that can be literally the roof over your head. Your learn what the top mortgage scams are so that you can protect yourself from criminals that would use your information to steal your home.
Disaster Identity Protection
Identity thieves never take a break. They're always looking for the next opportunity and natural disasters, like hurricanes, tornadoes, and earthquakes offer lots of opportunity. Learn how to protect your identity in the wake of a natural disaster
Identity thieves never take a break. They're always looking for the next opportunity and natural disasters, like hurricanes, tornadoes, and earthquakes offer lots of opportunity. Learn how to protect your identity in the wake of a natural disaster
PurseWalletSafety
A stolen wallet or purse can mean more than just losing your cash and credit cards. It can also mean that your identity is at risk. Learn how to protect belongings and prevent identity theft
A stolen wallet or purse can mean more than just losing your cash and credit cards. It can also mean that your identity is at risk. Learn how to protect belongings and prevent identity theft
What is Identity Theft
This basic explanation of identity theft details why criminals steal identities, who those thieves are, and how the crime is committed. Readers are reminded to remain constantly vigilant about protecting their identities.
This basic explanation of identity theft details why criminals steal identities, who those thieves are, and how the crime is committed. Readers are reminded to remain constantly vigilant about protecting their identities.
Mail_Theft
The most commonly used means of identity theft in the real world is mail theft and redirection. This article explains the crime and provides tips for protecting your mail and your identity.
The most commonly used means of identity theft in the real world is mail theft and redirection. This article explains the crime and provides tips for protecting your mail and your identity.
Monitoring Credit Reports
Your credit report is center of your financial world. It's also the main target for identity theft. Learn how to monitor your credit report and keep your identity safe from identity theft.
Your credit report is center of your financial world. It's also the main target for identity theft. Learn how to monitor your credit report and keep your identity safe from identity theft.
TaxTimeIDTheft
Tax time is a stressful time for most people. But identity theft can make it even more stressful. Tax time scams are common and growing in popularity. Learn what your tax time risks are and how to protect yourself from tax time identity theft.
Tax time is a stressful time for most people. But identity theft can make it even more stressful. Tax time scams are common and growing in popularity. Learn what your tax time risks are and how to protect yourself from tax time identity theft.
IDTheft_Consumer Rights
It's frightening to realize that your identity has been stolen. But the sooner you realize it, you can begin to repair the damages. Before you even start the repair process, however, you need to understand your rights as a consumer. This article explains them.
It's frightening to realize that your identity has been stolen. But the sooner you realize it, you can begin to repair the damages. Before you even start the repair process, however, you need to understand your rights as a consumer. This article explains them.
Prevent Senior ID Theft
Seniors make attractive identity theft targets because they have life-long credit worthiness, retirements funds, and can be too trusting. If you're a senior, learn how to protect your identity before someone steals your life's work.
Seniors make attractive identity theft targets because they have life-long credit worthiness, retirements funds, and can be too trusting. If you're a senior, learn how to protect your identity before someone steals your life's work.
College Identity Theft
College students are at high risk for identity theft. To protect themselves, they need to understand what identity theft is, where they are at risk, and what steps to take if they suspect identity theft. All of that information is included in this article.
College students are at high risk for identity theft. To protect themselves, they need to understand what identity theft is, where they are at risk, and what steps to take if they suspect identity theft. All of that information is included in this article.
Parent/Child Identity Theft
Parent/child identity theft is committed by a parent against a child. It's a common occurrence in which parents use their children's identity to secure credit cards, utility accounts, and other even leases or loans because their own credit is insufficient to open such accounts.
Parent/child identity theft is committed by a parent against a child. It's a common occurrence in which parents use their children's identity to secure credit cards, utility accounts, and other even leases or loans because their own credit is insufficient to open such accounts.
Spoofing
Spoofing is a broad-ranging term that essentially means to pretend to be something or someone that you're not. It is, however, much more complicated.
Spoofing is a broad-ranging term that essentially means to pretend to be something or someone that you're not. It is, however, much more complicated.
Vishing
Vishing uses social engineering and phishing techniques to steal people's identities using Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) phone lines.
Vishing uses social engineering and phishing techniques to steal people's identities using Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) phone lines.
Web Page Spoofing
Web page spoofing is just one type of deception that hackers use to trick people into providing personal information that can be used for the purposes of identity theft.
Web page spoofing is just one type of deception that hackers use to trick people into providing personal information that can be used for the purposes of identity theft.
Synthetic Identity Fraud
Synthetic identity fraud occurs when an identity thief alters your personal information for the purpose of using it to gain access to information or money based on your credit history.
Synthetic identity fraud occurs when an identity thief alters your personal information for the purpose of using it to gain access to information or money based on your credit history.
Credit Report Freeze
A credit freeze, or credit report freeze, locks down a consumer's credit report so no new credit accounts can be activated without the proper authorization from the consumer.
A credit freeze, or credit report freeze, locks down a consumer's credit report so no new credit accounts can be activated without the proper authorization from the consumer.
Credit Monitoring Services
The meteoric rise in identity theft has prompted an explosion in the number of credit monitoring services advertised, but what exactly is a credit monitoring service?
The meteoric rise in identity theft has prompted an explosion in the number of credit monitoring services advertised, but what exactly is a credit monitoring service?
Email Spoofing
Email spoofing is a technique that hackers use to send fraudulent emails and is often used as a tool to collect information need for identity theft activities.
Email spoofing is a technique that hackers use to send fraudulent emails and is often used as a tool to collect information need for identity theft activities.
5 ID Theft Protection Methods
Identity theft is a common crime that affects everyone. Learn how to protect yourself from mortgage scams, mail fraud, credit fraud, and other identity crimes.
Identity theft is a common crime that affects everyone. Learn how to protect yourself from mortgage scams, mail fraud, credit fraud, and other identity crimes.
FACTA
The Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act was passed in 2004 to help consumers protect their credit histories from inaccurate credit transaction reporting.
The Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act was passed in 2004 to help consumers protect their credit histories from inaccurate credit transaction reporting.
Credit Fraud Alert
A fraud alert is used to alert potential lenders that your identity may have been compromised by identity theft.
A fraud alert is used to alert potential lenders that your identity may have been compromised by identity theft.
Gray Market Goods
Gray market goods are items that are purchased by identity thieves, usually using fraudulent credit accounts, and then resold for a profit.
Gray market goods are items that are purchased by identity thieves, usually using fraudulent credit accounts, and then resold for a profit.
Credit Reporting Agencies
Credit reporting agencies, also called credit bureaus, collect credit and personal information about consumers.
Credit reporting agencies, also called credit bureaus, collect credit and personal information about consumers.
Strong Passwords
Your passwords for Internet sites of all kinds are literally the keys to your online kingdom. All too often, people use passwords that are easy to guess. Learn how to protect your online domain from identity theft with strong passwords.
Your passwords for Internet sites of all kinds are literally the keys to your online kingdom. All too often, people use passwords that are easy to guess. Learn how to protect your online domain from identity theft with strong passwords.
Protection From Mortgage Scams
Mortgage fraud is often one of the results of identity theft. Learn how to protect yourself from mortgage fraud and prevent criminals from stealing your home right out from under you.
Mortgage fraud is often one of the results of identity theft. Learn how to protect yourself from mortgage fraud and prevent criminals from stealing your home right out from under you.
ITERA
The Identity Theft Enforcement and Restitution Act can help consumers recoup the costs associated with having their identity stolen. Currently, this act is still pending approval of the President.
The Identity Theft Enforcement and Restitution Act can help consumers recoup the costs associated with having their identity stolen. Currently, this act is still pending approval of the President.
Business Identity Theft
Business identities are just as endangered as personal identities. Thieves steal business identities to use both for direct financial gain and also as tools to steal individual identities.
Business identities are just as endangered as personal identities. Thieves steal business identities to use both for direct financial gain and also as tools to steal individual identities.
Social Engineering
The practice of deceiving someone, either in person, over the phone, or using a computer, with the express intent of breaching some level of security either personal or professional.
The practice of deceiving someone, either in person, over the phone, or using a computer, with the express intent of breaching some level of security either personal or professional.
NigerianLetterScams
The Nigerian Letter Scam is one that's been around for a while. The advent of the Internet has changed the way the Nigerian Letter Scam is delivered, but it's still the same scam.
The Nigerian Letter Scam is one that's been around for a while. The advent of the Internet has changed the way the Nigerian Letter Scam is delivered, but it's still the same scam.
Vacation Identity Theft
Vacation should be a time to relax and enjoy yourself, but it can turn into an identity theft nightmare if you're not careful. Learn how to protect your identity while you're on vacation.
Vacation should be a time to relax and enjoy yourself, but it can turn into an identity theft nightmare if you're not careful. Learn how to protect your identity while you're on vacation.
Data Breaches
More than 167 data breaches were disclosed during the first quarter of 2008. Learn how to respond if your data is compromised by a company or agency.
More than 167 data breaches were disclosed during the first quarter of 2008. Learn how to respond if your data is compromised by a company or agency.