Identity Theft Protection Plan

Q. I-jacking Hype or Real? 
A. Real but preventable with this 7 step plan

1)  Take the threat seriously - here's why

I-jacking and related credit fraud is not a future hi-tech fantasy threat - it's already hapening on a massive scale and is still growing.  The internet is providing new and powerful opportunities for increasingly organized criminals to access the information they need.

Already the #2 reported crime, some authorities believe credit fraud already surpasses even narcotics as the top crime moneyspinner.
The FBI estimates that 1 in 5 adults will be victims by 2007 at a total cost over $50 BILLION annually.

Of 10 MILLION new victims in USA annually, the FTC estimates that 60% of cases are not even reported.
Less than 1 in 700 reported cases are caught and prosecuted.

So don't wait for law enforcement to protect you - they can't stop a flood with a spoon.

But what to do about it?  Let's start by taking a strategic view:

2)  Learn what you are dealing with 

This website explains the nature of the risk and provides some statistics to put it in context.  It also refers to many other articles and resources available on the subject. 

Read a bit and you'll soon understand that this is a serious and immediate threat which
could cause you untold grief if you don't take steps to protect yourself.

It is soon obvious too just how easy this crime is to perpetrate on the unprotected.  And how rewarding and low risk it is for the perp. 
No wonder the criminal classes are flocking to it in droves.

3)  Motivate yourself to act in self defense

4)  Strike a balance between prevention and cure

5)  Decide what routine precautions you will adopt to limit your risk 

Top Ten Best Practices to Avoid Identity Theft (source "Identity Theft Advice Center")

• Shred all financial documents before throwing them out.
• Purchase a locking mailbox or route mail to a post office box.
• Distrust e-mail links — instead, type addresses directly into the address box
• Protect your computer with a firewall, anti-virus and anti-spyware software
• Don’t disclose social security numbers or other confidential information
• Download software with caution — avoid downloads from questionable web sites
• Create unique passwords, commit them to memory
• Don’t open e-mail attachments from unknown sources.
• Don’t put personal information such as your SSN on checks
• Purchase identity theft protection, available under $10 monthly. 
  Alternatively you could undertake the protection drills yourself

6)  Consider Insurance for peace of mind

The problem is not just about money.  My researches have highlighted the amazing level of hassle in straightening things out - it can take years, and the people you must deal with are often less than helpful.

So I shall value practical assistance to recover the situation, more highly than solely monetary recompense.

7)  Best overall protection service

The most complete and credible protection service I have found is Life-Lock.
Their focus is proactive interventon with the credit agencies to PREVENT the thief from accessing credit in your name. 
In theory, much of what they do could be DIY but, realistically, few of us would have the organization and contacts to do it systematically.

Life-Lock is so confident of their service they include a million dollar guarantee including practical assistance to recover your credit.  The help service appeals to me because I hate admin hassle - and the financial guarantee saves insurance premiums.

For details about Life-Lock Identity Theft Protection click the banner below,
and lock in a 10% special discount ...