Identity Theft Protection and Staying Safe

Sorry to have to say this, but all of us are potential identity theft targets. Identity Theft Protection has become a must because the thieves are getting smarter and bolder every year.

By now, most of us know the basics of protecting our social security number, don’t write your PIN on your ATM card, shred pre-approved credit card offers, on and on. The truth is, thieves are now targeting large groups of identity to steal - not just one at a time.

Recently, identity thieves set up a van in a parking lot of a TJ Maxx and hacked into the data stream from that store and followed it to the headquarters. They were able to get credit card information on all customers who shopped at any TJ Maxx or Marshalls within the previous 6 months.

17,000 Pfizer employees had their personal information posted online. Here’s another: 800,000 social security numbers on a backup tape were stolen out of the trunk of a 22 year-old intern who was following established procedures for Ohio’s Office of Management and Budget.

How about this: a woman with a stolen identity was hired at Equifax. They performed extensive background checks on her before giving her a job. The real woman whose identity had been stolen found out after seeing background checks from Equifax and Manpower on her credit report. Her life has been turned into a nightmare.

Why do you think someone would steal an identity to go to work at Equifax?

I’m guessing it gave her access to the mother lode of identity information ripe for stealing. Not just your social security number or credit card number, but also your date of birth, previous addresses, jobs, other lines of credit - everything a thief needs to, well, become YOU.

There’s nothing you can personally do to prevent this type of crime. Identity theft insurance is only going to help you after the fact. Once you understand how easy it is for someone to steal your identity, you’ll have no doubt in your mind why you need Identity Theft Protection.