Identity Theft Protection

The fastest growing crime worldwide is identity theft with over 9 million Americans having their identity stolen each year. The numbers are staggering and it is not showing any signs of slowing down. In fact every day credit card accounts are being opened and counterfeit checks being used all without the owner knowing it is happening. Many of these criminals will take loans out in your name, get a driver’s license in your name and even collect government benefits in your name.

With companies like Lifelock, TrustedID, ID Watchdog, and Identity Guard you can protect yourself against this growing crime. We have compared and reviewed these companies to help you find the right product to fit your needs. Get started now!

How can I compare identity theft protection companies side-by-side?

Check out our comparison chart of the top rated identity theft companies. We show you a simple view of the most important features each company has compared to the other leading protection agencies. If you are wondering how LifeLock compares to TrustedID it is right here for you.

 

What is Identity Theft?

Today most people are familiar with the term identity theft but you may not know that there are many different ways you can have your identity stolen. If someone uses your personally identifying information such as a credit card or social security number, without your permission to commit fraud or other crimes the Federal Trade Commission has labeled that identity theft. These thieves may steal your credit card number or other information to create accounts in your name. Most people will not realize something has happened until they review their credit report or get contacted by a debt collector.

The best resource for updated information regarding identity theft is the FTC. You can view their website here.

How do I know if I'm a victim of identity theft?

Some of the warning signs that you have fallen victim include:

• Getting billed for something you did not purchase
• Recieving credit cards you did not apply for
• Not receiving bills you are expecting in the mail
• Being denied credit or loans due to other activity

If you have noticed any of these situations the next best step is to get your credit report and confirm there are no accounts opened in your name that were not your doing. Having a protection service in place will help you restore your credit and correct any mistakes. Actively reviewing your credit report and being aware are the best ways to reduce the impact an identity thief can have on your life.

Which identity theft protection service is right for me?

There are many companies that offer identity theft protection services today including LifeLock, Equifax and TrustedID. Only a few companies offer a service guarantee and additional software that may be beneficial to you. In our comparisons we look at companies that may offer some of the following services:

• Automatic Fraud Alerts
• Stop Junk Mail & Preapproved Offers
• Lost Wallet/Purse Assistance
• Spyware software protection
• Database monitoring
• Credit reports

This site is designed to help you choose the right protection plan for your needs. We give you the ability to compare identity theft protection companies side by side. Go to comparison chart now.

Tips for preventing identity theft.

There is no one way to guarantee your identity is safe but you can do a number of things to help protect your identity. Here are a few steps you can take the further lock up your personal information:

1. Review your credit report regularly to ensure there are no mistakes or potentially fraudulent accounts open in your name.
2. Shred all documents that have any of your information including address, name, or telephone numbers. This will protect you against someone stealing your trash for your personal info.
3. Maintain proper security software on your computer that will protect against viruses, malware, spyware and phishing. Some of the most common identity theft cases involve computer viruses that allow thieves to see your online banking passwords.
4. Stay informed and keep an eye out for anything unusual with regards to your personal accounts.

While these steps may seem simple they are by far the easiest and most effective ways to manage your identity. If you want someone to help you with those and continually monitor your accounts then you should look into an identity theft protection company that we review.