Identity Theft Protection: Knowledge is Your First Line of Defense

If you write articles for the internet you have learned to write catchy, magnetic headlines. Since identity theft is the crime of the 21st century a headline such as the following made big news recently.

Have you searched identity theft protection online? If you have your search will show over 6 million hits. Here is another fact. Some of them could get you killed.

In 2005, a magazine published a story with this kind of headline. The article, though, was imaginary. The article told the story of a man who had unknowingly given all of his information to an identity theft scam artist. This man then sold the information to a person who needed serious and immediate medical help. Later, when the victim of identity theft needed medical services he died because the wrong information was on his chart. Actually, this could happen. Many services stating they can prevent identity theft are scams. This is what the consumer needs to understand when seeking to protect their identity and financial assets.

So, let's look at this identity theft challenge in the following two ways, easy and smart.

Easy:

Good citizen employs a service dedicated to protecting his identity and all that surrounds his good name. After a very infrequent review of his credit card bill, he notices several bills for items he did not buy. Scratching his head, he calls the credit card company and finds that his card is about to be cancelled. Why, it has exceeded its limit! You call your "protection" service, only to find out that the company 800 number has been disconnected. This might be a very good indication that you have just been scammed by your identity protection service.

Smart:

Good citizen takes a few lunch breaks, gets online, and resources government agencies such as the Federal Trade Commission and the U.S. Department of Justice. The smart consumer has to learn to be a good advocate for himself. He learns what he can do to protect himself from identity theft. He finds out what to do if he does become a victim. All of this information can be developed into an arsenal of protection. Granted, he might have to do it all himself. But, his good name will stay intact and he will know what to do if he does become a victim.

Identity theft protection service scams work on the fears of good people. Please don't let them do that to you.