| LexisNexis, a provider of personal and financial data, | | | | NEVER access a financial site through a link |
| recently reported that the personal information of as | | | | embedded in an e-mail message. E-mails with links |
| many as 310,000 people nationwide may have been | | | | asking you to verify or re-register your personal |
| stolen. This figure is nearly 10 times higher than the | | | | information are a sure sign of "phishing", a scam to |
| original figure disclosed last month by the company. | | | | collect your name and other identifying information to |
| ChoicePoint Inc., another consumer data collection | | | | steal your identity. |
| service, stated 145,000 people in their database were | | | | Instead, type the bank or creditor's website address |
| possibly exposed to identity thieves earlier this year. | | | | into your browser. Check your accounts every two |
| At DSW Shoe Warehouse, officials acknowledged | | | | weeks. Verify that the credits and debits shown on |
| stolen credit information at 103 of its 175 stores | | | | the statements are valid. Report any suspicious |
| nationwide. Hackers have also targeted databases at | | | | activity immediately to your bank or creditor. |
| California State University as well as the University of | | | | 2) Monitor your credit report. |
| California, San Diego. | | | | The main reason for stealing your identity is to open |
| Many consumers now fear that using the internet | | | | new credit accounts to purchase good and services |
| puts them at a higher risk of identity theft. However, | | | | using your name and stolen identity. Chances are that |
| surveys have shown that only 10 percent of known | | | | you won't know you're an ID theft victim until you're |
| identity theft cases have resulted from online fraud. | | | | denied credit or you receive bills for accounts you |
| Dumpster diving along with phone scams account for | | | | never opened. |
| far more ID theft than the internet. | | | | If an ID thief has opened accounts in your name, |
| In fact you can use the internet to help protect | | | | they are most likely to appear on your credit report. |
| yourself from this crime in three unique ways: | | | | There are three major credit reporting agencies; |
| 1) View your banking and credit accounts online. | | | | Equifax, TransUnion, and Experian. |
| Almost all banks and credit card companies have | | | | New legislation allows you to obtain your credit report |
| secure web sites that allow you to view your | | | | annually from all three of these agencies for free. |
| statements and activity safely online. Secure sites are | | | | This new program is being phased in gradually across |
| those that begin with https// or display a padlock | | | | the U.S.. |
| icon on your computer screen. | | | | |