TEMPE, Ariz., Oct. 3, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In honor of National Crime Prevention Month, LifeLock the leader in identity theft protection offers several tips to help protect your personal information. From the day we are issued a social security number we make an ideal target for an identity thief. Whether you have good credit, bad credit or no credit at all there are countless ways for a criminal to profit from your social security number. It can be used to open new lines of credit or sold hundreds of times on the black market.
Below are some tips every consumer can do for free to help you keep your personal information out of the wrong hands.
Shop Smart: With the holidays quickly approaching online shoppers are especially vulnerable to attack. Be sure to look for a security seal and https in the URL when it comes time to enter any personal information.
Stay Alert: Technology provides many conveniences for consumers; however it also provides new tools for identity thieves. From fake ATM fronts to imposter credit card scanners, if something doesn't look right don't be afraid to question it.
Secure Your Information: Home invaders and car thieves have changed their perspective; they no longer want your television or your car itself – those items only turn a resale profit once. If they can get their hands on your social security card, tax return or any documents containing your personal information they've struck gold. Your personal information goes for top dollar on criminal websites. Lock your information in a safe place, preferably not on your person.
Protect Your Children's Information: More and more youth identities are being stolen so that identity thieves can commit employment or benefit-related fraud. They're prime targets because they can get away with it for years before its detected. Keep an eye on their credit report just as you would your own.
The crimes committed against unsuspecting consumers can be difficult to repair and become very costly if not caught right away. Watching your credit report is one way to monitor if identity theft has occurred. Under the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act consumers can request 1 free credit report a year from all three of the major credit bureaus. Visit www.annualcreditreport.com to request your reports today. Be wary of look-alike websites offering free reports as they often charge additional fees.
Spread the word. Identity theft is real and it's not a laughing matter. LifeLock offers two free educational programs for consumers to participate in including our award-winning Identity Theft Speaker Series program. To have an expert present customized information to your group please visit our website, where you can also download our free identity theft guide.
About LifeLock
LifeLock, Inc. is an industry leader in identity theft protection. Since 2005, LifeLock has been relentlessly protecting identities by providing consumers with the tools and confidence they need to help protect themselves from identity theft and manage their credit. The company has a strong focus on educating consumers and working with law enforcement and elected officials to better understand the increasing threats of identity theft. A multiple award-winning organization for two consecutive years, LifeLock has been recognized by Inc. magazine on their annual list of top 500 fastest growing privately held businesses in the United States and by the American Business Awards as having the 2011 Costumer Service Team of the Year. In August 2011, Javelin Strategy & Research named LifeLock as "Best in Prevention" in their annual Identity Protection Vendor Report.
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