Identity Protection

It's Not "If" But "When" You'll Be Robbed

Take this quick quiz to determine whether you are a candidate for identity theft.

Are you awake or sleeping?
A. Yes
B. No

If you answered the question with "A" or "B," you are in an ideal position to have your personal identity stolen. Identity thieves don't sneak into your home in the dark of night and scrape your identity from the drool on your pillow. They don't rely on high-tech tactics or only target your wealthy neighbors. Identity thieves--like most crooks--aren't nearly that ambitious. They do things like learn your dog's name because it's a common password choice and watch the keypad when you're using a calling card on a pay phone at the mall. They make your name their own after finding your bank statement in the garbage. They use your credit record to open accounts and spend until they have robbed you of your future buying power.

Most the time, identity thieves drag your name through the mud before you realize it was raining. By the time you report your losses, the crooks are long gone. They commit crimes simultaneously in multiple jurisdictions, making it difficult for authorities to make a case against them.

The good news? If you've been a victim of such theft, you're not alone. According to the Federal Trade Commission, it's the #1 (and fastest growing) financial crime. We've got information in this topic you may find helpful, either to take steps to minimize the risk that you could become part of that statistic or to help you put your finances back in order once they've been stolen.