There are ways that consumers can remain ahead in the identity theft game and one organization that is ready to help is the Information Card Foundation: A non- profit organization dedicated to reducing the instance of identity theft by securing digital identities in place of traditional logons and passwords.

- - - - - - - Stop and Shield Your Identity While Shopping On-Line

The good news for consumers that want the convenience of shopping on-line without the risks of identity theft is that there are several services and products available to protect on-line transactions.

Shop Shield, one of the newer services available for on-line shopping protection, offers a new and comprehensive product that allows you to shop on-line without ever sharing real financial or personal data on-line. Would be hackers or insiders up to no good, can't steal your information because it's not there to steal. How does this work?

- - - - - - - What Have You Done for Me Lately? Identity Theft Protection & Penalities

In his second term as President, Bush has been criticized on major issues from the economy to the War in Iraq. While the focus has been on the "war against terrorism," many Americans have fallen victim to the fastest growing crime in America, identity theft.

Since great strides were made during 2000-2006 on protecting, preventing and penalizing identity theft, but since then very little has been done on the federal level,. So what steps can be taken to keep up with this growing crime and ever changing technology that makes it easier to occur?

- - - - - - - Iron Clad Protection for Personal and Business Laptop Computers

The public has become more and more aware of using safe practices to protect themselves from identity theft. People are opting out of credit cards offers, shredding mail, carefully screening e-mails and using anti-spyware and keylogger programs. These practices help people avoid having their personal information stolen from their mail box or on-line, but what happens if your laptop itself is stolen? What happens then? And what if it is from a business, organization or government agency? How do we protect the information on our laptops?

- - - - - - - Texas Takes Steps to Protect Consumers from Identity Theft

The state of Texas has recently passed new legislation to help victims of identity theft overcome at least one of the hurdles that were previously blocking them from making it to the finish line of healing from this horrific ordeal. On March 1, 2008 the Closed Account Notification System, or CANS, was adopted by the Texas Department of Banking. What is CANS and how can it help Texas consumers? Will other states follow?

- - - - - - - How to Protect Yourself from Phishing Scams: DHL, Amazon and Paypal

Have you recieved messages asking you for your assistance? Or messages that appear to be from Amazon, PayPal, DHL or a bank requesting you to use their link to confirm your personal and credit information? These types of messages are called "phishing" emails and are used to get yourcredit information for the purpose of credit card fraud or identity theft. How can you protect yourself from this type of scam?

- - - - - - - Are Your Investments Protected by the Securities Investor Protection Program?

Most consumers are familiar with the FDIC (Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation) that insures bank accounts and offers blanket protection for any deposits made to member banks. You may be less familiar with the SIPC (Securities Investor Protection Program) but every investor or potential investor at any level should be aware of the protection services that the SPIC offers.

- - - - - - - Identity Theft Lands Pregnant Woman In Jail: An Identity Theft Tragedy

Christie Scalzo, mother of two and resident of Nevada, has experienced, what I would consider to be, a true Identity Theft Tragedy.

Christie Scalzo's information was stolen in 2002, from her car, while she shopped at a 99 cent store.

Something that could happen to pretty much anyone.

Fast forward to 2008, when she was pulled over by a police officer, who was just doing his job.

From Identity Theft Victim Locked Up

She was driving with her kids when the 2002 incident would suddenly come back to haunt her..."It was right past the signal when he pulled me over. He said 'Can I see your license?' and I said 'Yeah, what's the matter?' Because I know nothing is wrong, I know I don't have any problems. And he said, 'Well, I just ran your plates and you have a warrant out of Henderson.' And, I said, 'What?'"... Despite Scalzo's explanations of identity theft to arresting officers, she was taken to the Henderson Detention Center. She was locked up. But the fingerprints from the 2002 arrest were not compared to hers. Neither was the mug shot. Scalzo was booked on burglary , drugs and weapon charges... Scalzo thought if law enforcement would not compare the fingerprints and mug shots, she would have to do that herself. "I went to Henderson courts, police station. I needed mug shots, fingerprints, discovery, all my files, and they all said I have to have an attorney here to subpoena the records." After spending $3,500 on legal fees and months of litigation, Scalzo would finally get her day in court. It took only seconds. "They dismissed the case. That was it," Scalzo explains...."I hope this isn't the end of the case," Perry (Scalzo's attorney) said. "They ought to be finding this woman. That woman is still out there somewhere. Still has Christie's information."...

Although this mix up is now solved for Scalzo, the story does not end on a happy note. Hours after she was released from the Henderson Detention Center, she miscarried.

- - - - - - - Will You Get Your Tax Rebate (Economic Stimulus) Check?

Economic Stimulus Checks and Tax Rebates: How can we be sure to get our check safely? Among the many phishing emails (that attempt to lure you to a website to gain personal or financial information) and schemes on the Internet, one of the newest is an email message that appears to be from the Internal Revenue Service, talking about economic stimulus checks, and what you should do in order to get your tax rebate check. How can you protect yourself and what should you do if you get this message? Read more about this phishing scam and how to protect your income tax rebate check.

- - - - - - - Roboform Keeps Passwords and More Protected

WIth technology comes convenience, but also threats to security. Each time a consumer accesses their bank or shops online their keystrokes may be recorded, hackers may obtain their financial information and personal information may be released. There is a software to protect Internet users, while they are doing any number of tasks from registering for travel to playing games online.

- - - - - - - Free Keyloggers: Is downloading A Free Keylogger A Good Idea for Home and Small Business Protection

A keylogger is a program that monitors and records computer activity, specifically the keystrokes used while using your computer. There are some keyloggers available to download for free, while others cost some money to download. Find out what are the best keylogger programs available and how you can download and use a keylogger to protect yourself and/or your loved ones.

In this article, we recommend three keylogger programs you can download.

The quick links for downloading thesekeyloggers are here:

Web Watcher Keylogger - download
Spector Pro 6.0 Keylogger - Download
Spy Agent Keylogger - Download

- - - - - - - Intelius People Search and Intelius Review: Is Your Information Being Used Inteliusly?

What is Intelius People Search? It is a data gathering information service available for individuals and businesses. With Intelius' search capability, individuals may complete a search based on name, address, telephone number, cellphone number (in some cases), and email address. But how does Intelius get all this information? Who can use the results, and is there someone out there trying to crack Intelius' people search?

- - - - - - - Virtual Credit Cards Protect Your Real Credit Card Information

On-line shopping is easy, convenient, saves gas and time. But how can we, as consumers, shop safely when so many instances of credit card theft occur as a result of using our credit cards on-line, especially with those sites that "store" your credit card information. Since we are shopping in the virtual world, why not use virtual credit cards?

As millions of people have become victims of identity theft, consumers have become savvy and cautious about how they use and protect their personal information, including their credit card numbers. Many people want to enjoy the convenience of shopping on-line and saving time and money, especially with today's gas prices, but are fearful of using their actual credit card numbers on line.

- - - - - - - A Watch Dog to Protect Your Identity: ID Watchdog

ID Watchdog Discount/Promotional Code
Get a free trial (and save money) on ID Watchdog here
(Opens in new Window)

ID Watchdog provides identity theft protection, prevention and resolution services, not only in the event of credit card fraud, but even in cases of other types of fraud, mis-use of your identity to obtain employment or medical treatment and a great deal more.

- - - - - - - Does Your Personal Computer Need a Second Opinion?

What are the chances your computer has a bug? If you've used it for more than 30 days, the chances are high. In fact, 94% of personal computers have files that are corrupt and potentially damaging. It's not uncommon for personal computers to have up to 200 errors. Just as human walk around and catch bugs from all kinds of different contact from shaking hands to pushing shopping carts or getting money from the ATM, your personal computer picks up "bugs" from wherever you may visit or download.

- - - - - - - Comprehensive Anti Spyware Protection with Outstanding Customer Service

STOPzilla offers superior, all-around protections with a completely rebuilt Anti-Spyware engine. If you are looking for new ways of identity theft protection, especially protection from all the ways your personal computer can be attacked or even used to invade your privacy, then this software may be for you.

- - - - - - - Free Spybot: Search and Destroy the Spies Trying to Get to Your Information

Can you get a free copy of Spybot Search and Destroy?

We aim to answer that in this IdentityTheftSecrets article.

Are you being spied on? Is your privacy being invaded? Is someone keeping track of your internet habits? Or possibly, even worse, are you being sold out?

Spyware threats are silent stalkers. Spyware keeps track of your internet browsing habits and creates a profile on you and your habits. It is then sold to advertising companies so that they can market products to you.

This isn't just invasive and annoying. It can also cause your browser to crash or allow your home page to be altered or even hijacked.

What's worse? Your computer may be infected even if you have not experienced any symptoms or problems.

- - - - - - - IdentityTruth vs Lifelock: Which Identity Theft Protection Works for You?

Do you know your options for complete protection from identity theft? Take a look at this comparision and you decide which identity theft protection program is best for you and your family, IdentityTruth vs. Lifelock.

- - - - - - - Announcing IdentityTheftPress.com

Recently I found myself spending way too much time searching and scanning a bunch of different identity theft and information security news sites to get ideas for what to talk about on IdentityTheftSecrets.com, and as well as keep up to date myself on what's going on.

Every few days, I would find myself spending 1-2 hours reading news sites to get great information about identity theft and information security, which isn't a problem. But once I was on a major news site, I would end up reading everything from the horrors that happen on a regular basis to the offbeat news.

Not the best use of my time.

So I set out to find a way to get all the identity theft and information security news that I scan daily into one place.

- - - - - - - Does Your Personal Computer Get a "F" in Antivirus Protection?

What grade does your personal computer get for antivirus protection? Do you have antivirus and anti spyware protection with easy to use features, regularly scheduled updates and even comes with a free trial? If not read more about F-Secure Internet Security 2008.

- - - - - - - IdentityTruth: Is Your Identity the "Truth" and Nothing but the Truth?

----------
Save money on your purchase of Identitytruth through this link below
Clicking on IdentityTruth coupon, you can save money through IdentityTruth's Online Store
----------

For about 33 cents or less a day, IdentityTruth can offer you 12 points of protection from identity theft. IdentityTruth's protection is show to be so comprehensive that they back it with a guarantee. Read more to find out what protections Identity Truth offers and what IdentityTruth says about how it can protect you from identity theft.

The majority of people think their identity is safe, but studies reveal that 85% of consumers are victims of identity theft. Most people believe that they are taking the appropriate steps necessary to protect their identities; for example using practices like shredding pre-approved credit card offers and installing antivirus or spyware protection on their computer however these practices may not be enough. Last year 13 million consumer identities were compromised. A 2006 report from the FTC shows that out of $5 billion in identity fraud, only 25% involved credit card fraud and only 12% involved new account credit card fraud. That still leaves several other ways that your identity can be used illegally, such as obtaining a job, being charged with a crime, mortgage fraud and many other types of identity theft.

- - - - - - - AVG Antivirus Free Download: Anti Virus Software That Saves Money and Your Computer by AVG

----------
Get AVG for free through this link below
Get AVG's Anti virus programs for free:
(HINT: Click the link in hte upper left on the page that loads)
----------

If you are interested in free, dependable, security to protect your home computer and want to download it immediately as well as get it for free then AVG Free offers one of the most popular free security solution available to home users.

- - - - - - - Alwil Avast: 50 Million Users Choose this Free Antivirus Protection from avast!

----------
Alwil's Avast
Get Alwil's Avast
----------

Avast! 4.7 Home Edition from ALWIL Software is a full-featured antivirus package designed just for home users and non-commercial use free of charge. But how good is it and why do they offer it for free? Read more to learn why 50 million people are taking advantage of this free and award winning antivirus software.

- - - - - - - Avira Antivir: Award Winning Antivirus Protection Everyone Can Afford

When it comes to protecting your computer, your work, your finances and your identity, you want to
know you are dealing with an established, award winning company that can provide you with the protection you need, at a price you can afford and technical support. Avira, and Avira's AntiVir Software, can do all that and more?

- - - - - - - McAfee Antivirus Your Information Safe and Offers a Guarantee

----------
Well, McAfee Antivirus is not free, but you can get a free trial download and you can save money $20 off through this McAfee Antivirus discount code.
Clicking on this McAfee coupon, you can save $20 on through the McAfee Security Center and Online Store
----------

If you are looking for one of the latest Antivirus and security protection software programs, you may prefer McAfee. Their online security center is one of the oldest and most trusted security providers. Definitely explore McAfee Virus Scan Plus with Site Advisor, and use this coupon to save $20 off on McAfee Total Protection and Internet Security Suite.

- - - - - - - Bots: Friend or Foe to Your Personal Computer? Norton's AntiBot Protects You

Symantec Norton's AntiBot is a software product designed to prevent the hijacking of one's personal computer by bots: which can be a type of malware that allows a hacker to take control of several computers at a time, effectively turning them into "robots" that accept commands from the computer hacker and work to spread bots to more and more computers. This type of computer virus can then be used to spread spam and commit various types of identity theft and other online fraud.

Several tools exist to protect against the threat posed by bots and some of them are already part of most personal computers. However, with increased use of the internet for online shopping, ticket purchases, travel and other "high risk" activities setting the security protection level at medium high or high, although one easy step to take in the war against bots, may not be the most effective.

- - - - - - - GreenDimes: Go Green One Piece of Junk Mail at a Time

Do you hate "junk mail?" We have software to stop 'pop ups" and we even have a junk mail/spam box on our email programs -- so why not a program that stops junk mail from arriving at our homes? GreenDimes can do just that -- stop junk mail from arriving saving you time as well as eliminating chances of identity theft through the use of your unwanted credit card offers.

- - - - - - - LoudSiren Identity Theft Warning System Provides Emergency Services

LoudSiren Identity Theft Warning System promotes as a full service solution to identity theft. This service, by Debix, does many things for you, including; contacting credit agencies and setting up fraud alerts, acting as a middle man between your credit information and personal information, making it more difficult to obtain and misuse it ,as well as giving you, as a member of their system, $1 million dollars in identity theft insurance coverage. Read more to find out how LoudSiren can protect you, your friends and family from identity theft.

- - - - - - - Let's Meet: Free Trial of GoToMeeting and Using GoToMeeting.com

--------------------------------------
Try GoToMeeting Completely Free for 30 Days (and if you decide to purchase, get $10 off)
Opens in New window
--------------------------------------

GoToMeeting is an online resource for large or small businesses and individuals to use to safely and cost effectively share information. You can connect with clients, customers, employers, employees and coworkers to collaborate, train, present and share information. Seminars may be conducted for up to 1000 participants. Find out why meeting online is safe and effective.

- - - - - - - Lifelock Sued By Experian - Lifelock's Promotional Efforts and Response

------------------
Lifelock promotional code: IDENTITY
(Saves you $21 and gives you 30 days free of Lifelock's service)
------------------

Experian has sued Lifelock, a company that done a LOT in the promotion of their Identity Theft protection products.

Experian's basis for this lawsuit is that LifeLock's advertising is misleading and that Lifelock is breaking federal law in the way it uses fraud alerts to protect the information of consumers.

Experian has said that because LifeLock's chief ID theft prevention tool -- the placing of fraud alerts on individuals' credit files - is being done by a company, rather than through the individual consumer or through someone acting on behalf of the consumer, that Lifelock is in violation of the Fair Credit Reporting Act. The Fair Credit Reporting Act uses some ubiqutios language in stating whether or not fraud alerts can be placed by a company.

Experian's lawsuit says:
"The FCRA does not permit the placement of an initial fraud alert by corporations such as LifeLock. Despite this prohibition, LifeLock has surreptitiously placed hundreds of thousands of fraud alerts on Experian's files by posing as the consumer."

What's funny about this lawsuit is that Experian and the other credit bureaus have been required by the federal government to allow these fraud alerts to be placed... before the laws were passed, consumers in most states didn't really have much recourse against the credit bureaus without hiring an attorney.

Fraud alerts last for 90 days. These alerts tell any company which requests a consumer's credit that they need to be aware that imposters could be using this person's credit. Fraud alerts are only supposed to be placed in the case that there is "suspicion of imminent fraud."

Says Experian.

But with over 150 million records reported as compromised in the past 2 years alone (and who knows how many went unreported), isn't there now always a reason for all of us to be concerned that there could be a situation for "imminent fraud?"

All it takes is one weirdo or other unwholesome character at any of the companies where I have insurance, any of the institutions where I do banking, any location where I use a credit card to buy something, at the DMV, at the post office, etc., and I can become an Identity Theft victim. I would say that makes the likelihood pretty high (perhaps even imminent?) that I could become a victim.

Experian says that placement of fraud alerts or really any promotion by LifeLock on behalf of any consumer who requests one also runs counter to federal law.

The service offered by LifeLock does include automated requests for new fraud alerts every 90 days. Lifelock actually renews these every 70 days, as Robert Prusinski told us in Lifelock's Promotional Interview with Identity Theft Secrets. Renewing this every 70 days effectively creates a fraud alert which goes on indefinitely. Experian calls these "illegal fraud alerts."

- - - - - - - The Evolution of Computer Viruses and Anti Virus Protection

The first case diagnosed as a computer "bug" occurred in 1945 when a Naval computer was not working due to a moth caught between the relays of the computer. Computer bugs, viruses and threats have come a long way since then as has the development of antivirus software and protection. Read more to find out just how it has all come about.

- - - - - - - National Identity Cards With Biometric Identification Will Fix The Social Security Administration's Problems?

While something must be done about the ridiculousness of our current flimsy paper social security cards (I'm not even sure most people know where their cards are), it's also scary to some people to think of a "national Identity card." (For some biblical scholars, a national Identity Card would be a confirmation of things forecasted in the book of Revelations in the bible.)

There's no question that the social security administration's system is, at best, outdated, and that it poses a large threat to the future welfare of our great country.

But the solution must be bigger than requiring better Identity cards.

Read below to see the legislation put forward by Mark Steven Kirk, a representative from Illinois.

- - - - - - - Lavasoft Product Review: Ad Aware Plus by Lavasoft

Lavasoft Ad Aware Plus is a very economical (and can be downloaded for free) alternative when searching for antivirus and antispyware software support for your personal computer. Lavasoft antivirus software includes many key features, not available when you download many other software programs.

Ad Aware Plus download is an expanded and economical alternative for providing your personal computer with antivirus, anti spyware and other threatening software protection. Ad Aware Plus is one of several antivirus software protection programs created and maintained by Lavasoft, a private company. Lavasoft was begun in 1999 and is headquartered in Sweden. Lavasoft was one of the first software companies to detect and create antivirus software programming. Lavasfot also has small business, enterprise, academic and non-profit antivirus software and systems support available. Their success can be rated by the over 250 million Ad Aware antivirus downloads world-wide, providing anti virus, anti spyware and other protective services to computers all over the world.

- - - - - - - Is Trend Micro PC Cillin Internet Security the Best Medicine for Your PC?

Trend Micro PC Cillin Internet Security is a full service personal computer protection software system. Once installed on your computer it provides antivirus, anti-spyware, anti-spam, anti-phishing, identity theft protection, two way firewalls, and parental controls.

PC Cillin antivirus software is updated regularly and not only detects known but unrecognized virus software that is not yet identified or named. PC Cillin does contain programming that lets it scan for programs consistent with a virus, thus protecting your computer from worms, Trojans and viruses. Safety scans are performed on all incoming emails, and is sends out instant messages with notification. You can also set PC Cillin for auto removal of any virus detected. The anti spyware and anti phishing software protect your identity as well as personal and financial information making shopping and searching online safer.

- - - - - - - Identity Theft Around the World

Identity theft (otherwise known in many countries as identity fraud) is prevalent in many other countries. US citizens are not the only ones affected. Read more to find out information on how identity theft occurs in other countries, including the United Kingdom, Singapore, Hong Kong, Canada and Australia.

- - - - - - - Perfect PC Protection: Coupon/Promo Code from Panda Antivirus Software Internet Security 2008

Panda Antivirus Software provides one stop shopping for all your antivirus, software and hardware protection needs as well as scanning for current threats that may exist on your computer and parental controls. Read more to find out how Panda Antivirus Software's Internet Security 2008 software can protect your identity and personal information.

- - - - - - - Employment, Social Security & Identity Theft

What happens when your social security number is stolen and used to obtain employment? Can you get a new one? What happens to the money paid into the Social Security Administration? And why doesn't the government report to you duplicate payments? Read more to learn about social security and identity theft.

- - - - - - - What You Can Get Besides a Job by Posting Your Resume On Line

Internet use is rapidly becoming a necessity when searching for that perfect job or career - but how much information is too much and how can you keep your information safe from identity theft while getting that dream job? In this article read about the do's and don'ts for posting your resume online.

- - - - - - - Drive By Pharming: Symantec Free Video Shows You What Drive By Pharming is

----------
Symantec passed along this coupon code for IdentityTheftSecrets
Click here to save 10% on anything through the Symantec Home & Home Office Store
----------

They also gave another coupon for saving 10% on Norton AntiBot
Click here to save 10% on Norton AntiBot
----------

There's (yet again) another threat you should really be aware of.

It's called drive-by pharming.

Symantec has put together a great video on drive-by pharming, which I've posted below, so you don't really need me to explain to you how drive-by pharming works.

But, what you might want to know is how to protect yourself from this new type of drive-by.

The simplest thing you can do to protect yourself is change the default password on your home wireless router. A quick Google search yielded the following pages for changing this password on three of the more popular home wireless routers:

D-Link

Linksys

NETGEAR

If you aren't using one of these routers, just do a Google search for how to change the password on your router at home.

Also, just do the stuff we generally talk to you about here at IdentityTheftSecrets. Basically, work only with Web sites that you know to be at least reasonably trustworthy. (And definitely only click links in emails from people you know, and even then, stay away from any link that looks sort of funny... You may or may not end up installing something simply by clicking on a link. In many cases, as in the case of drive-by pharming, that is all it takes for this attack to do its damage.)

Watch Symantec's video below.

- - - - - - - Veterans: What You Should Know to Prevent and Recover from Identity Theft

Veteran's are at high risk for identity theft, and have more to lose. It is important for veteran's to carefully monitor their credit report, social security benefits and veterans benefit information to determine if their identity is being used in any manner, from illegally obtaining credit or medical care to attending a college.

- - - - - - - Sweep your PC Clean of Spyware with Webroot Spyware Sweeper

Webroot Spyware Sweeper is a seven time award winning Best Buy by PC Magazine and PC World. Find out why this spyware protection, detection and removal system is considered so highly.

Spyware has become more advanced and different versions of it appear regularly on too many computers without detection. Spyware is a computer software system that "sneaks" onto your computer, typically through internet browsing, email or instant messages, and does one or a combination of the following: collects personal information from your hard drive, interfere with your use of your computer (causing it to behave badly), redirect your internet browser activity by sending the page you addressed to another site and allowing harmful "pop ups."

- - - - - - - SpoofCard Becomes "Untraceable": SpoofCard and "Caller ID Spoofing" explained

The Good, Bad and Ugly about Spoofcard, a software system that makes not only caller id obsolete, but also makes all your phone calls suspect to pranks and identity theft. Untraceable, a movie starring Diane Lane, shows exactly how far this system may go in adding the commission of crimes and protecting criminals from prosecution from identity theft -- and in the movie's case, from murder. It may not be all bad, read more to see why and make your own judgment call.

- - - - - - - Defender Pro Computer Protection Software and Defender Pro Antivirus: Product Review

Defender Pro, whose corporate headquarters is in New York, NY, is an antivirus software which offers two products for the home or small business computer, Defender Pro 15-1 and 5-1. Each product is good for up to three computers without any additional charge. Each product's antivirus software updates automatically on the hour, as long as you are connected to the Internet.

Read more about the cost, features, benefits and technical support for Defender Pro 15-1 and 5-1 Antivirus Protection Service.

- - - - - - - What is Mortgage Fraud through Identity Theft?

This begins a two part series on what is mortgage fraud; how it occurs and what can be done about it: such as how to protect yourself and what to do if you are a victim of identity theft and mortgage fraud.

- - - - - - - Paper Shredders Will NOT Protect Your Identity

I just read (skimmed) this article from the head of a company called MyBinding. While he offers some useful advice in his article, he implies that purchasing a paper shredder will protect you from Identity Theft.

Is it time to beat this dead horse again?

Okay.

Here's the deal.

Identity Theft is so easily committed because all of our information is so easily accessible, and also so easy to falsify. (The real issue is that our social security numbers are so valuable, and until we get that changed, Identity Theft will continue to be a problem.)

It's not that shredding your stuff isn't a good idea, but to suggest that having a paper shredder will somehow protect you is not only misleading, it's just wrong.

(Aside: I'm not talking about corporations here. Corporations which have any personal information on customers or employees, and don't have some sort of shredding plan in place, are just asking for trouble. It's a lot of information collected in one place, which identity thieves thrive on. Why steal one identity and use it once when you can steal 10,000 identities and resell them over and over again? So companies, whether you're small, medium, or large, you must put together a plan that encompasses not only shredding, but information security as well.)

On a personal level, however, the only studies I've ever seen that suggest that (personal, at-home) shredding reduces Identity Theft, were ultimately financed by people who own or are tied to companies that sell personal paper shredders.

Conflict of interest much?

So, shred if you want. It's a good idea.

But realistically, it's not going to reduce your chances of becoming a victim of Identity Theft very much, if at all.

Anyone who tells you otherwise is probably trying to sell you a paper shredder.

- - - - - - - Product Review: PC Security Shield 2008

Every internet user should protect themself from identity theft utilizing an antivirus software program, but with so many to choose from, how does a consumer know which product to buy? With this product review, consumers can gain knowledge about a new version of PC Security Shield, 2008 and all the features it provides including standard antivirus and spyware protection as well as not so standard features.

Read more for information on PC Security Shield, it's anti-virus software system, features, special products and services, cost, and how to purchase and use PC Security Shield 2008.

- - - - - - - When Permission Marketing Doesn't Get Your Permission First

In his book, Permission Marketing, Seth Godin, former vice president of direct marketing at Yahoo, talks about how large companies exchange your information. I thought this quote would be relevant for readers of identity theft secrets.

From Permission Marketing (1999) Page 131 and 132 "In traditional marketing, it is totally okay to rent or sell or transfer data. It gets done, secretly, every single day. In fact, it's a multibillion dollar industry. It's scary, but it's true: you can rent the name and address of every one in New York City who has a permit to carry a gun. Then you can filter this data further to produce a list of those women who have a child in private school. Or who live in the building with a high likelihood of tenants who stay in first-class hotels when they travel. Want a list of dental floss users? Not a problem. You can even buy them by brand!"

- - - - - - - Do You Have "TrustedID" Service? TrustedID Review And Promo Code

TrustedID is a credit monitoring service that does online and TV/Radio promotions around their guarantee to provide one million dollars of identity theft insurance, the ability to limit who sees your credit report, review who has seen your credit report (i.e. is it being reviewed by people you trust), and it also gives you free search engine searches, to determine if your social security number has been compromised. If you would like to have these protections, you may want to take a look at TrustedID, which markets themselves as a different kind of consumer credit protection service.

TrustedID is one of many credit monitoring, identity theft protection companies available to consumers that is available independently and not through one of the three major credit reporting agencies of TransUnion, Experian, or Equifax. It is located in Redwood City, CA and you may visit their website or call 1.888.548.7878 for additional information regarding their company.

TrustedID's credit monitoring service has been featured in such publications as Time, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and Newsweek. Its services have also been featured online at CNNMoney.com and CNBC. It is recognized by the Identity Theft Resource Center.

- - - - - - - Equifax: What You Should Know About Equifax And 3-in-1 Credit Monitoring Services

Equifax Inc. is most often recognized as being one of the top three consumer credit reporting agencies, including Experian and TransUnion.

Equifax was founded in 1899 as Retail Credit Company and is the oldest of the three agencies. By 1920 it had offices in the United States and Canada and by the 1960's protected millions of credit histories. It has now been in business for 107 years providing consumer and business services. In 1975 it changed its name to Equifax. It is traded on the New York Stock Exchange as EFX, and is a Standard and Poor's (S&P) 500 company. Although its corporate headquarters is Atlanta, Georgia, it employs 4,600 people worldwide in 13 countries and reports $1.4 billion in revenue.

During the 1960's and 1970's, Equifax came under criticism for the extensive nature of information that it was obtaining about consumers. This included information about an individual and other private parts of a person's life like marital status, employment, sex life and political affiliation. Much of the criticism was due to not only the extensive nature of the information, but the methods by which it was obtained, and their willingness to "sell" the information.

- - - - - - - Identity Theft Insurance: What is It? and Do YOU Need It?

What is Identity Theft Insurance? What does it cover? How can I get it? Do I need it? And how much does it cost?

Your questions regarding identity theft insurance are answered in this post.

- - - - - - - How Serious is Identity Theft?

Identity theft is a serious crime-- not only to you and your family, but to your finances, your emotional well being and your future. Find out just how far-reaching the damages are to individuals and businesses.

- - - - - - - BitDefender Total Security and BitDefender Antivirus

Another European program making inroads into the North American market, BitDefender is headquartered in Bucharest, Romania and is ranked as one of the top 100 private companies in Europe. Its antivirus and computer security programs are currently installed on more than 41 million computers in over 200 countries around the world.

- - - - - - - Is it a crime to get a job using someone else's SSN?

Lora and Jamey Costner of Newport, Tennessee, have joined the ranks of identity theft victims after two illegal immigrants, Douglas Valdez and Elizabeth Velasco Bautista, allegedly used the Costner's Social Security numbers to obtain employment at the Koch Foods plant in nearby Morristown.

- - - - - - - What You Need to Know about Credit Monitoring

Credit monitoring can be one of the easiest, most efficient and cost effective manners for preventing and detecing mistakes on your credit report.

Read more to learn to learn how easy it is to monitor your credit and how monitoring my credit enabled me to quickly detect credit blemishes and unauthorized use of my credit information-- as well as how the monitoring system helped me to make corrections to my credit report.

- - - - - - - Is Your Child's Identity Safe?

Children are the perfect targets for identity theft, as it may go undiscovered for years. Most often this crime is committed by a friend or family member, but more and more often it is a result of online information.

Read more to discover how your child's identity may be stolen and what you can do to prevent it.

- - - - - - - Is it REALLY MySpace?

MySpace, Facebook and other social networking sites are some of the fastest growing uses of the internet for the promotion of bands, businesses, people and just staying in touch. However, there are some pitfalls with so much personal information in one place that is so easily accessible.

Read more to learn how MySpace and other social networking sites can put you at risk for identity theft and how you can avoid it.

- - - - - - - An Overview of The Fair Credit Reporting Act: What it Does and How it Can Help You

The Fair Credit Reporting Act is basically the who, what, when, where, why, and how of an individual's credit rights. It is an American; federal law which was most recently (2006) revised to include new methods of reporting and collection of information to keep up to date with new methods and technology.

Read more for how this important law protects you.

- - - - - - - Kaspersky anti virus and Internet Security Suite: A Review

Kaspersky Labs

Kapersky germinated in 1989, when Russian computer technician Eugene Kaspersky found the Cascade virus on his PC. He developed his own anti-virus program and purged the little monster, and released his program to the public in 1993.

Since then, Moscow-based Kaspersky Lab has developed into a multi-national company with offices in Europe, Asia, and North America, and with Eugene Kaspersky still in R&D. Although the company's software is currently better known in Eastern Europe and Asia, it's growing in popularity elsewhere, particularly after Kaspersky Anti-Virus 6 won the PC World Editor's Choice award for Antivirus programs in 2007.

Kaspersky Lab offers three consumer products: Anti-Virus 7, Internet Security 7, and new Mobile Security.

Kapersky Antivirus (pricey at $59.95 per year) detects all the usual suspects, including Trojans, viruses, and worms, and it also scans for spyware, adware, and keyloggers at the same time. The program gives strong and prompt detection, with the malware database automatically updating every hour and the signatures of new virus and spam attacks added to the database within one to two hours of the outbreak's first report.

- - - - - - - But Officer, I'm A Victim of Identity Theft

Here's an identity theft story you likely won't read or see in the big news any time soon... but it's one to consider.

Imagine this: You're driving along, with your two kids, ages 18 a