Be Smart - Get Proactive Against Identity Theft

Online, March 30, 2011 (Newswire.com) - New types of crime are developing in this new age of information every day. Identity theft (http://www.lifelockpromotioncode.net) is the most frequently committed white collar crime in the United States. Identity theft is defined as the fraudulent acquisition of money, credit, goods or services by pretending to be someone else. One in six people can expect to become victims, according to the Federal Trade Commission.

Identity thieves obtain their victims' personal information in various ways. They steal mail, shoulder surf by looking over your shoulder as you enter your PIN at an ATM or point of sale machine, or steal your information online. Thieves use a technique called phishing, in which the victim receives a fraudulent e-mail requesting personal information. Another popular ploy is the offering of a fake employment opportunity.

Identity theft has lasting effects on its victims. Forty-seven percent say they have trouble getting credit, while 11 percent say it causes difficulties in getting employment. More than 70 percent say they experience trouble having the false information removed from their credit reports. And 40 percent say the emotional and personal struggles that come with recovering from id theft (http://www.lifelockpromotioncode.net/blog) don't just affect them - it affects their loved ones as well.

You might think that people know better than to give out their personal information via e-mail or telephone to people they don't know. But according to a recent study at the University of Indiana, 14 percent of phishing e-mails are successful.

People are being fooled currently by a variety of charity scams in the wake of the tsunami and earthquake in Japan. Research the person or organization requesting donations before you write that check. You can check with the Better Business Bureau or the FBI.

Get smart. Learn all you can about identity theft, and make sure you're protected. Your actions are your first line of defense against identity thieves.