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Identity Theft

Introduction

Tips to safeguard your good name

What to do if your personal information has been compromised

Where to file a complaint

2007 data breaches

Comparison of ID theft protection programs

Safeguard your PINs

ATM safety

Email & web site safety

Comparison of ID theft protection programs

Just being careful isn't enough to prevent or detect identity theft, the fastest growing crime in the U.S. with over 9 million victims each year. If you are serious about preventing identity theft, sign up for an identity theft prevention service. Not only will they set fraud alerts on your credit files so that any business opening an account in your name must contact you to confirm your identity, but they'll help you cut down on junk mail and give you copies of all three of your credit reports, too.

 

If you don't want to be contacted every time you open a new credit account or also want to keep close tabs on your credit report and score, then sign up for an identity theft detection service to ensure you catch any theft before it hurts you. Or get Identity Guard Total Protection, which provides both prevention and detection services.

 

View comparison chart below:


 

 

Service Price Type Credit Reports Delivered Fraud Monitoring Mail List Removal ID Theft Insurance Bottom Line
LifeLock

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$9.00/mo. or $99.00/yr.; 30 days free Prevention - sets and renews fraud alerts 1 3-bureau credit report each year No Preapproved credit and general junk mail $1,000,000 Best overall value in identity theft prevention
Identity Gaurd

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$14.99/mo. & 1 month free Prevention & Detection - 3-bureau credit monitoring & sets and renews fraud alerts 3-in 1 credit reports and Scores from all 3 bureaus Credit cards, Public records, social security, applications (cell phones, loans, etc.) No $20,000 Most complete service - only one offering prevention & detection; extensive fraud monitoring
Trusted ID

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$12.95/mo. or $109.95/yr. Prevention - sets and renews fraud alerts 1 3-bureau credit report each year Credit cards Preapproved credit $1,000,000 Great ID theft prevention service; includes credit card fraud monitoring
Loud Siren

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$9.00/mo. or $99/yr. Prevention - sets and renews fraud alerts 1 report from all 3 bureaus each year No Preapproved credit; tele- marketing, too $1,000,000 Innovative automated phone system makes managing fraud alerts easy
Equifax

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$9.95/mo.; Free 30-day trial Detection - 3 bureau credit monitoring Free 3-bureau credit report and Equifax FICO score No No $20,000 Great combination of credit monitoring and id theft detection
CoverMyID

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$29.95 or $69.95 / year Prevention - sets and renews fraud alerts Free 3-bureau credit reports Yes No $25,000 Combines identity theft education, prevention, insurance, credit report monitoring, fraud alerts and identity theft restoration services