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Each year, approximately 10 million U.S. adults become victims of identity theft. This results in over $50 Billion worth of fraudulent activity that must be painstakingly repaired.
While data thieves are constantly looking for new victims, there is something you can do to protect yourself. Identity Theft protection services work to prevent harm from coming to you if your personal information is stolen. TopConsumerReviews.com finds and rates the best Identity Theft protection services.

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IDENTITY THEFT

A $50 Billion industry is big business. Unfortunately, that's how much fraudulent activity is charged each year stemming from identity theft. It's a big business alright; and one in which you are a potential victim.

There are a variety of ways in which data thieves can steal your personal information. They can sift through trash to find bills and credit statements; they can steal credit and debit card numbers when your card is used; they can "phish" your email and retrieve your data while posing as legitimate businesses. The list goes on and on.

Once they have your data, it doesn't take long for them to wreak havoc:

•  They can drain your bank and checking accounts

•  They can open new loans for cars and other big ticket items

•  They can charge your accounts for vacations, home furnishings, even liposuction and surgical procedures

And after you realize you're a victim, it can take months or even years to straighten out the mess.

While no one can guarantee that your personal information will never be stolen, Identity Theft Protection services work to make sure that this information can not be used to bring you harm. In fact, the CEO of one of these services freely advertises his Social Security Number because he is protected as a client of his company.

There are a number of features you'll want to consider when looking for an Identity Theft Protection service. Some of these include:

•  Services offered.  Some companies provide extensive protection and monitoring services; others provide just basic reporting.

•  Cost.  The cost for these services can vary widely. You want to be sure you're getting good value for your dollar.

•  Guarantee.  Some services provide no guarantee of protection; others provide up to $1 million worth of coverage.

We hope you find this information valuable in protecting your identity and credit files today!

 

 

 

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Lifelock

 

LIFELOCK

 

5 stars

 

Cost:

$9 per month

or, $99 per year (1 month free)

 

TopConsumerReviews.com 5-star Top Rated Product

You may have heard the commercials for LifeLock; the company's CEO freely advertises his Social Security Number, daring thieves to steal his identity. The reason he can do this is because he is a client of LifeLock's services, which fully protects his identity. What we found made us want to become clients too.

LifeLock is an Identity theft protection program available for individuals as well as for businesses. Here's what they include:

1. LifeLock Identity Alert.  Lifelock utilizes a system which monitors whether your personal information is used to apply for credit cards, check orders, mortgage loans, auto loans, and many other forms of credit. If detected, you are alerted by email, postal mail, and/or phone. If the fraudulent application is successful, their remediation team immediately takes action to restore your credit.

2. eRecon.  LifeLock searches through thousands of criminal websites searching for your personal information. If found, they immediately alert you and provide assistance in resolving the problem.

3. TrueAddress.  LifeLock proactively detects and change of address information in databases nationwide. If detected, you are immediately notified and provide assistance in resolving the problem.

4. WalletLock.  If your wallet is lost or stolen, Lifelock will help cancel and replace the lost contents of your wallet, including credit cards, driver's license, social security card, insurance cards, and more.

5. Free Annual Credit Reports.  LifeLock will automatically order your free annual credit reports from the three major credit-reporting agencies and deliver them to you for review. This is a great way to help make sure your credit file remains accurate.

LifeLock offers a very impressive $1,000,000 guarantee for their services. If your identity is stolen, LifeLock works with you to recover it. The company will hire all the necessary lawyers, investigators, accountants - whatever assistance you may need. If any error or defect occurs in the services offered, LifeLock will pay up to $1,000,000 to correct the failure. The CEO is so confident in his company's services that his social security number is posted on the internet.

Life Lock's services are a very affordable $9 per month. They also give you one month free if you sign up for a one-year service plan ($99).

One interesting note, is that LifeLock is the only company in our review that offers identity theft protection for children - and at a substantial discount. Children make easy targets for identity thieves because no one bothers to check their credit until later in their teen years. By that time, they may find that their identity has already been stolen and abused for years. LifeLock provides the same level of identity theft protection for children as well as adults, and for only $22.50 / year (provided one adult in the household is also signed up). This seems to be a small cost compared to the value it provides.

If you are concerned about identity theft, LifeLock will put your mind at ease. By taking the steps necessary to protect your identity, LifeLock provides a strong defense against identity thieves. And their $1,000,000 guarantee puts their money where their mouth is. LifeLock earns our highest rating.

 

 

Trusted ID

 

TRUSTED ID

 

4 stars

 

Cost:

$10.00 per month

or, $99 per year (2 months free)

 

Trusted ID offers a variety of products to help protect your identity. First, to help guard against Identity Theft, they offer a product called ID Freeze. ID Freeze offers the following features:

•  Bankers must call and double check your identity when they receive a new credit request

•  Monitoring of your credit card numbers

•  Stop pre-approved credit offers from being mailed to your home

•  Receive a credit report evaluation

•  Have access to identity theft and restoration specialists

Another product we liked was the StolenID Monitor. For free, you are able to search the Trusted ID database to find out if your social security number or credit card information have already been stolen. If they haven't, you have the option to try StolenID Monitor free for one year. This product will monitor up to three pieces of data (SSN's, credit card numbers) and will alert you if your data is being misused.

Trusted ID backs their services by offering to pay up to $1,000,000 to cover any out-of-pocket costs associated with identify theft for their customers. This is a welcome show of confidence in the strength of their products.

Trusted ID offers their ID Freeze service for $10 / month, or $120 per year. If you sign up for a 12-month subscription, you pay only $99 (effectively receiving 2 months free) For additional fees you can also utilize their StolenID Monitor (free for the first year).

Trusted ID offers services very similar to top-rated LifeLock. For their monthly fee you receive identity theft protection backed with a very good guarantee.

 

 

Debix

 

DEBIX

 

3.5 stars

 

Cost:

$89 per year

 

With Debix, you can be sure that no one can impersonate you. They use a combination of technology and personal verification to prevent unauthorized tampering of your data.

The Debix system works like this: If a data thief steals your personal information and applies for credit, the lender immediately calls your Debix phone number. The Debix Identity Theft Warning System relays the call to your personal phone number for approval. When answering the call, a combination of your personal PIN number and Voice Key ensures your identity. Then, using the keys on your phone, you can easily approve or reject the credit application. If the account was applied for without your consent, it will not be opened.

In addition, Debix provides the following services:

•  Renews fraud alerts at all three national credit bureaus

•  Removes your name from pre-approved credit offers

Debix's website is loaded with information. One unique feature we liked was the live demonstration of the Debix warning system. You just enter in your phone number and you'll receive a call from a customer service agent, walking you through the steps they take to stop an identity thief. They also have a comparison chart of services offered by Debix relative to their leading competitors.

Debix provides a half-dozen testimonials from bankers, business school professors and law enforcement officers, all of which speak highly of Debix's technology for identity theft protection. In addition, Debix provides up to $10,000 in identity theft insurance and identity recover services, should you ever need it. You also have access to an identity theft recovery specialist if your identity is stolen.

Debix gives you complete and verifiable control over establishing new credit lines in your name. If you feel you need a higher level of protection with a larger insurance guarantee, you should try one of our higher rated products; however, for the lower price, Debix delivers a quality service that you may want to try.

 

 

Identity Guard

 

IDENTITY GUARD

 

2.5 stars

 

Cost:

$4.99 - $19.99 per month, depending on protection level selected

 

Identity Guard allows you to choose between four levels of security protection. These are as follows:

•  Level 1 - Good Start.  This service costs $4.99/ month and provides daily monitoring of your credit bureau file. If any changes are detected, you receive an instant email notification.

•  Level 2 - Watchful Eye.  This service costs $9.99 / month and includes daily surveillance of the internet's "financial black market" and "back alley" newsgroups.

•  Level 3 - Extra Caution.  At $14.99 / month, this service adds daily surveillance of all three credit bureaus and 3-in-1 credit reports.

•  Level 4 - Total Protection.  Costing $19.99 / month, this includes daily scanning for unlawful use of your social security number and other sensitive data.

All levels of Identity Guard offer email alerts of any suspicious activity and unlimited toll-free customer service.

Signing up is simple, and your first month of protection is free. This is a trial period for you and you may cancel at anytime. Identity Guard also offers a free $50 visa gift card for every five friends or family members that sign up for their services as well.

Identity Guard backs up their Levels 3 and 4 protection plans with a $20,000 identity theft insurance with Identity Guard. However, certain restrictions do apply and you are liable for the first $250 of expenses.

We were impressed with the amount of information about identity theft that is available on the Identity Guard website. They describe a number of different ways that thieves can steal a person's identity, and reviews a list of actions you can take to protect your personal information. There is also an interesting quiz you can take to see your level of risk for having your identity stolen.

While we appreciate all of the information and advice available on the website, you can find the same or better level of security with one of our top-rated services, for less money.

 

 

Privacy Matters 123

 

PRIVACY MATTERS 123

 

1 stars

 

Cost:

$19.99 per month

 

This website is not easy to navigate through. There are too many different links. It took us a while to find a link to simply explain how Privacy Matters 123 protects a person's identity. By the looks of the website, signing up for protection appears to be more about getting a free credit report than actually protecting your identity.

They do not provide any information on their refund policy or service level guarantee.

As a member of Privacy Matters 123, you receive the following benefits:

•  Automatic monitoring of your credit at all three credit bureaus

•  Unlimited access to your credit report and score

•  Unlimited access to customer service

You can try the Privacy Matters 123's services free for seven days. If you decide to cancel you still receive your online credit report. If you do not cancel, your credit card will be billed $19.99 per month

This is where the service provided by Privacy Matters 123 ends. They do not provide the fraud alerts, credit line verification, or identity theft insurance provided with the other plans in our review. Ironically, they do offer the highest cost however.

Privacy Matters 123 offers the bare minimum in protection and costs the most per month. The website is organized poorly and they provide no guarantee or identity theft insurance. For real identity theft protection, we suggest you look to one of our higher-rated selections.

 

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Identity Theft in the News

Ala woman sentenced to prison in ID theft - WSFA

WXIA-TV

Ala woman sentenced to prison in ID theft
WSFA
She pleaded guilty to taking the information under a federal health privacy law, attempted bank fraud, and aggravated identity theft. Authorities say Stewart stole patients' information from Trinity Medical Center while an associate of hers was a ...
Alabaster woman sentenced for stealing hospital patient infoShelby County Reporter
Birmingham woman sentenced to 39 months in prison in Trinity Medical Center ...al.com (blog)

all 12 news articles »

Publ.Date : Thu, 02 Feb 2012 12:49:15 GMT

Car theft report leads to home of fugitive in fake ID scheme - Eagle Tribune

Car theft report leads to home of fugitive in fake ID scheme
Eagle Tribune
Both men were additionally charged with identity theft, giving a false name to a police officer after arrest and possession of false Registry of Motor Vehicle documents, police said. Delosantos (Cruz) told police his actual residence was at 21 Groton ...


Publ.Date : Thu, 02 Feb 2012 08:48:00 GMT

Pilot Scoop: ABC Picks Up Reba McEntire's Country Comedy and Identity Theft Sitcom - TVLine

OnTheRedCarpet.com

Pilot Scoop: ABC Picks Up Reba McEntire's Country Comedy and Identity Theft Sitcom
TVLine
The network also picked up Prairie Dogs, a sitcom from That '70s Show's Jackie and Jeff Filgo, which centers on a nerdy guy whose identity is stolen by someone far cooler than he is – so cool, in fact, that he engages the con man to help boost his ...
Reba McEntire, identity theft pilots picked up by ABCDigital Spy
ABC Adds Comedy Pilots From Reba McEntire, 'That '70s Show' DuoHollywood Reporter
ABC Picks Up Two Comedy Pilots, Including 'Malibu Country' Starring Reba McEntireDeadline.com
Chicago Tribune (blog)
all 20 news articles »

Publ.Date : Thu, 02 Feb 2012 01:33:29 GMT

Woman convicted of identity theft learns fate - WDRB

Woman convicted of identity theft learns fate
WDRB
(WDRB) -- A woman convicted of stealing the identities of several people and impersonating them on Facebook has been sentenced to five years of probation. Police said after Crystal Vanarsdale was arrested that she used the names and images of her ...

and more »

Publ.Date : Thu, 02 Feb 2012 16:31:28 GMT

Fighting to prevent ID theft - St. George Daily Spectrum

Fighting to prevent ID theft
St. George Daily Spectrum
As identity theft and fraud continues to be one of the fastest growing areas of crime in the United States, individuals are being encouraged by law enforcement officials to know in what ways they should be protecting their personal information from ...

and more »

Publ.Date : Wed, 01 Feb 2012 12:02:29 GMT

Identity theft is among top 10 consumer complaints - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

FOX6Now.com Milwaukee

Identity theft is among top 10 consumer complaints
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
By Rick Barrett of the Journal Sentinel Identity theft has crept into the state's top 10 list of consumer complaints, while telemarketing and telecom companies frustrate people the most, according to data released Tuesday by the Department of ...
Identity theft now among top consumer complaints in WisconsinLa Crosse Tribune
Telemarketing top consumer complaint in WisconsinABC7Chicago.com
Here is the latest Wisconsin news from The Associated Press:WMTV
WSAU -Kenosha News (subscription)
all 20 news articles »

Publ.Date : Wed, 01 Feb 2012 06:04:14 GMT

National crackdown on identity theft - Salt Lake Tribune

MyFox Tampa Bay

National crackdown on identity theft
Salt Lake Tribune
The Internal Revenue Service and the Justice Department have announced the results of a massive national crack down on suspected identity theft. Working with the Justice Department's Tax Division and local US Attorneys' offices, the nationwide effort ...
REGION: IRS cracks down on ID theftPress-Enterprise
IRS warns of identity theftMyFox Tampa Bay
The IRS is warning everyone of the growing problem of identity theftCBS 21
7Online.com -Lahontan Valley News
all 489 news articles »

Publ.Date : Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:34:48 GMT

Ex-AZ man indicted on ID theft, tax fraud charges - KPHO Phoenix

Ex-AZ man indicted on ID theft, tax fraud charges
KPHO Phoenix
24 on identity theft and tax fraud charges, according to the US Attorney's Office in Phoenix. A federal grand jury in Phoenix returned an indictment on Jan. 3, 2012, charging Adrian Espiridion Lugo with using stolen identities to file false tax returns ...


Publ.Date : Thu, 02 Feb 2012 16:15:57 GMT