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Identity Theft Education

Latest Guides

  • Identity Theft Protection Guide
    Identity theft is a growing crime that affects millions of Americans each year. There are a wide variety of services you can enroll in and steps you can take to protect yourself. Learn about your identity theft protection options here.
  • What to Do about a Stolen Credit Card or ATM Card
    If your credit card or ATM card gets stolen, it’s not time to panic. It’s time to take action. The longer you wait to deal with a stolen credit or ATM card, the more it will cost you.
  • Official Identity Theft Statistics
    Here we list a variety of relevant identity theft statistics from official sources. We update this page on a regular basis, so visit us often to see the latest facts and figures about this widespread crime.
  • Child Identity Theft
    17-year-old Zach Friesen was shocked when he was turned down for both a student loan and a job due to bad credit history. He didn’t know he had any credit in his name, let alone bad credit. As it turns out, someone had used his personal information to buy a $40,000 houseboat when Zach was only 7 years old.
  • 7 Steps to Prevent Child Identity Theft
    Your child’s spotless credit record can be a target for identity thieves who need access to credit, utilities, or employment. Identity thieves can obtain a child’s personal information in a number of places. Follow these tips to help keep your child’s information from getting into the wrong hands.
  • How to Get Your Child's Credit Report
    It’s a good idea to check your child’s credit report every few years for signs of identity theft. Here, we provide detailed information about contacting the credit bureaus.
  • Notify the Credit Bureaus of a Relative's Death
    When a loved one dies, it's important to alert the credit bureaus of the death. Placing a "deceased alert" with Equifax, TransUnion, and Experian helps to prevent identity theft. Here are the steps for placing a deceased alert.
  • Identity Theft is a Concern Even after Death
    The Federal Trade Commission estimates that up to 9 million people are victims of identity theft each year, and the crime isn’t restricted to the living. Yes, even the deceased have their identities stolen and used to open credit card accounts, among other things. Learn how to prevent this from happening to your loved one, and how to clear up the mess if it already has.
  • Check Your Credit Report for Identity Theft
    Identity theft is a crime that affects millions of Americans every year. It's a crime that can be difficult to prevent and even more difficult to detect. You can take action today to find out if you're a victim by ordering your credit report and reviewing it for the following signs of ID theft.
  • How to Know if Your Identity Has Been Stolen
    While there is no way to completely guard yourself against identity theft, you can make sure you aren’t already a victim by staying vigilant and watching out for these warning signs.
  • Who Really Needs Your Social Security Number?
    Because so much can be done with your Social Security number, it’s important to keep it safe from would-be identity thieves. Is it really necessary to give out your SSN every time a business, government agency, or employer requests it? What happens if you refuse?
  • What is Phishing?
    Phishing is a widespread form of identity theft. Learn what phishing means and how it can happen to you.
  • Two U.S. Laws that Protect You from Identity Theft
    Identity theft is running rampant in this country and around the globe as criminals continue to come up with new ways to defraud you. The American legal system is doing what it can to curtail the widespread crime. Here, we discuss two federal laws: The first offers rights to fraud victims and potential victims, while the second doles out harsher punishments to criminals.
  • "Change of Address" Identity Theft
    Your mail may not be as safe as you think. Sneaky identity thieves can submit ‘change of address’ forms in your name, forward your mail to a place they can regularly check it, and end up with your credit cards and statements containing your personal information. And you’re left trying to sort through the mess.
  • How to Prevent Identity Theft
    Over 10 million people a year learn they have become victims of identity theft. It seems there is no stopping this personally devastating crime. Personal vigilance remains the best way to avoid becoming a victim. Follow these tips to protect yourself.
  • Identity Theft Resources
    When you've had your identity stolen, it's hard to know exactly what to do or where to turn. But take comfort in knowing that you're not alone, and there are numerous resources out there that can help. Here's a list of the major ones that you should start with.
  • 2009 Identity Theft Statistics
    Identity theft is defined as the process of using someone else’s personal information for your own personal gain. The Javelin Strategy & Research Center has been studying identity theft closely since 2004. Each year, they release their findings. In 2009, they found the following:
  • How Identity Theft Happens
    Identity or ID theft happens when someone uses your personal information for their own gain. They use your name, Social Security number, date of birth, and any other personal and financial information they’ve obtained about you to apply for credit cards and loans, sign up for utilities, or steal money from your existing accounts.
  • Placing a Fraud Alert on Your Credit Report
    A fraud alert is simply a statement attached to your credit reports that indicates you are (or may be) the victim of identity theft. A fraud alert signals to lenders and creditors to take extra precaution before granting credit in your name.
  • Placing a Security Freeze on Your Credit Report
    What is a security freeze? Why would you want to place one on your credit report? A security freeze can be a great weapon to use in the fight against identity theft, but it has a few drawbacks associated with it.
  • ID Theft Law: Identity Theft and Assumption Deterrence Act
    It wasn't until 1998 that identity theft became a federal crime. The Identity Theft and Assumption Deterrence Act criminalizes the taking of another person's identity (including identifying information such as name, date of birth, and Social Security number).
  • What to Do if Your Identity is Stolen
    Discovering you have become a victim of identity theft is devastating -- to your finances, credit rating, and emotional state of well-being. Follow these steps in the unfortunate event that you are the victim on an ID thief.
  • What is Identity Theft?
    When someone else uses your personal information to secure a job, get a credit card or loan, or elude law enforcement -- that's identity theft. Each year, over 10 million people fall victim to this insidious assault on consumers' personal, professional, financial and emotional lives.

Latest Blog Posts

  • White Collar Crime Online Skyrockets
    While the characters on the new show White Collar (with their Hollywood good looks and witty one-liners) are fictitious, many of the crimes they solve are based on true events. There is actually a National White Collar Crime Center, and according to a new study it just put out, online fraud in particular is soaring.
  • Identity Theft: #1 FTC Complaint in 2009
    According to a report from CSN, fraud and identity theft top the list of FTC complaints in 2009. They rank even higher than debt collector and internet service complaints.
  • Video Week: Identity Theft on "The Office"
    Welcome to Video Week on SpendOnLife! Every day this week we'll highlight an interesting video on credit or identity theft.
  • Video Week: How Hackers Make Fake Credit Cards
    Welcome to Video Week on SpendOnLife! Every day this week we'll highlight an interesting video on credit or identity theft.
  • Friday Grab Bag: 3/5/2010
    It's Friday again, and that means it's time for the weekly SpendOnLife grab bag! Here we share some of the week's more interesting tidbits from the world of credit and identity theft. Enjoy!
  • Weird Identity Thieves, from Robin Hood to the Hamburglar
    If you're like me, the term "identity thief" conjures images of computer-savvy hackers who swindle your personal information from the internet. But identity thieves come in all shapes and sizes, as evidenced by these surprising cases of fraud that have cropped up in the news recently.
  • Tips for Safe Online Shopping
    If you shop online, you must be careful about where you shop. Otherwise, you could become a victim of identity theft.
  • ID Theft Statistics: Javelin 2010 Identity Theft Report
    Javelin Strategy & Research has issued its 2010 report on identity fraud occurrences from 2009. Key highlights from the report show that while the instances of identity theft reached record numbers in 2009, victims spent less time and money recovering from the crime.
  • 6 Warning Signs of Identity Theft
    Identity theft can go undetected for many years because victims don't know to recognize the warning signs. Knowing how to spot signs of identity theft can save you several hours and hundreds of dollars trying to fix the problem.
  • Data Breaches: What You Need to Know
    Data breaches happen when a company's data is stolen. It's a concern for consumers because your personal information could be compromised in the data breach. Find out what you can do if a data breach happens to a company you do business with.
  • Friday Grab Bag - 1/29/10
    It's Friday again, and that means it's time for the weekly SpendOnLife grab bag! Here we share some of the week's more interesting tidbits from the world of credit and identity theft. Enjoy!
  • Don't Fall for Credit Card Donation Scams
    If you’re thinking about donating to a charity, either to help out Haitian earthquake victims or another good cause, it’s important to be on the lookout for credit card donation scams.
  • Friday Grab Bag - 1/22/10
    It's Friday again, and that means it's time for the weekly SpendOnLife grab bag! Here we share some of the week's more interesting tidbits from the world of credit and identity theft. Enjoy!
  • Friday Grab Bag - 1/15/10
    It's Friday again, and that means it's time for the weekly SpendOnLife grab bag! Here we share some of the week's more interesting tidbits from the world of identity theft and credit. Enjoy!
  • Twitter Chat Tonight with BudgetPulse
    Check us out tonight as we co-host a Twitter chat with Budget Pulse. We’ll be talking about all things identity theft-related. The chat will start at 7 pm EST. Tweet you there!
  • Internet Cookies and Privacy
    Certainly any user of the Internet has heard about cookies. Ubiquitous though cookies may be, what are they? What purpose do they serve? Do they invade your privacy or increase your chance of identity theft?
  • Friday Grab Bag - 12/11/09
    It's Friday again, and that means it's time for the weekly SpendOnLife grab bag! Here we share some of the week's more interesting tidbits from the world of credit, personal finance, and identity theft. Enjoy!
  • Are Public Wi-Fi Spots Safe?
    There’s nothing quite as convenient as logging onto the Internet while sitting at a café or enjoying your local library. But is your personal information really safe when you use public Wi-Fi?
  • 72% of U.S. Adults Fear Online Identity Theft
    A recent ABC News / Washington Post poll found that seven in 10 adults are worried about falling victim to online identity theft.
  • Friday Grab Bag - 10/23/2009
    It's Friday again, and that means it's time for the weekly SpendOnLife grab bag! Here we share some of the week's more interesting tidbits from the world of credit, personal finance, and identity theft. Enjoy!
  • Unconditional Love & Identity Theft – Would You Put Your Parent in Prison?
    "Friendly identity theft" happens when someone you know uses your personal information to apply for credit and loans in your name. Sadly, this happens more than you may think. Here's Sara's story of how her dad stole her identity and ruined her credit.
  • Friday Grab Bag - 10/9/2009
    It's Friday again, and that means it's time for the weekly SpendOnLife grab bag! Here we share some of the week's more interesting tidbits from the world of credit and identity theft. Enjoy!
  • Friday Grab Bag - The Evil Edition
    Some of the more interesting tidbits from the world of personal finance served up with a side of the macabre. Take a walk on the dark side of credit, debt, and identity theft with us. Just make sure to leave breadcrumbs...
  • 6 Cool iPhone Apps for Controlling Credit and Debt
    The six best credit- and debt-related apps to help you pay down debt, protect you from identity theft, and even occasionally rescue your credit card from the dinner bill.
  • Friday Grab Bag - 9/11/2009
    It's Friday again, and that means it's time for the weekly SpendOnLife grab bag! Here we share some of the week's more interesting tidbits from the world of credit, debt, and identity theft. Enjoy!
  • 7 Advantages of Credit Cards
    We hear a lot of negative things about credit cards and why we don’t need them – but here are seven advantages that make them worth keeping in your wallet.
  • Friday Grab Bag - 8/28/2009
    It's Friday again, and that means it's time for the weekly SpendOnLife grab bag post. Here we share some of the week's more interesting tidbits from the world of credit and identity theft. Enjoy!
  • 10 Simple, Free Ways to Protect Your Identity
    Identity theft is a real and serious problem. Fortunately, there are several basic things that you could do to reduce your chance of becoming an identity theft victim.
  • Friday Grab Bag - 8/21/2009
    It's Friday again, and that means it's time for the weekly SpendOnLife grab bag! Here we share some of the week's more interesting tidbits from the world of personal finance and identity theft. Enjoy!
  • Friday Grab Bag - 8/14/2009
    It's Friday again, and that means it's time for the weekly SpendOnLife grab bag post. Here we share some of the week's more interesting tidbits from the world of personal finance and identity theft. Enjoy!
  • Friday Grab Bag - 8/7/2009
    It's Friday again, and that means it's time for the weekly SPENDonLIFE grab bag post. Here we share some of the week's more interesting tidbits from the world of personal finance and identity theft. Enjoy!
  • Round-Up of FTC Consumer Resources
    The Federal Trade Commission is the government agency designed to "protect America's consumers." It was created in 1914, and has gained greater and greater authority through the years. Here's a round-up of the key online resources the FTC offers you.
  • Friday Grab Bag - 7/31/2009
    It's Friday again, and that means it's time for the weekly SpendOnLife grab bag. Here we share some of the week's more interesting tidbits from the world of credit and identity theft. Enjoy!
  • Does Identity Theft Cause Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder?
    The anxiety and stress of trying to recover from identity theft can be horrific. So it’s not really a surprise to hear that some psychologists are labeling the emotional effects of severe identity theft cases as post-traumatic stress disorder.
  • Friday Grab Bag - 7/24/2009
    It's Friday again, and that means it's time for the weekly SPENDonLIFE grab bag post. Here we share some of the week's more interesting tidbits from the world of personal finance and identity theft. Enjoy!
  • When a Credit Search Hurts You
    Does shopping around for the best rate during your search for a new credit card, auto loan, or mortgage hurt you? Learn when credit inquiries affect your credit score here.
  • Beware! 15 Common Scams That Can Steal Your Money
    One of the worst things that can happen to you financially is to become the victim of a scam. The good news is that you can do a lot to protect yourself. Knowing what the most common scams are can help you to avoid becoming a victim. Here’s a look at fifteen scams that you should know about.
  • Friday Grab Bag - 7/10/2009
    It's Friday again, and that means it's time for the weekly SpendOnLife grab bag post. Here we share some of the week's more interesting tidbits from the world of credit and identity theft. Enjoy!
  • Like a Scene From Psycho: Man Steals Dead Mom's Identity
    Irene Prusik died six years ago, but the Social Security Administration wouldn't know it, because they were never notified. Instead, Irene's son—49-year-old Thomas Prusik-Parkin—just let the Social Security payments keep on coming.
  • Identity Theft Impacts Women More Than Men
    Women lose a higher amount of money from identity theft than men, and it takes them more time to recover from the crime, says a new Affinion Security Center survey.
  • Catching the Identity Thief Doesn't Stop the Crime
    Only 1 in 700 identity thieves is ever caught. So imagine Karen’s surprise when she encountered the woman who had stolen her identity – in a Starbucks, no less.
  • Friday Grab Bag - 6/12/2009
    It's Friday again, and that means it's time for the weekly SpendOnLife grab bag post. Here we share some of the week's more interesting tidbits from the world of credit and identity theft. Enjoy!
  • Friday Grab Bag - 6/5/2009
    It's Friday again, and that means it's time for the weekly SpendOnLife grab bag post. Here we share some of the week's more interesting tidbits from the world of credit and identity theft. Enjoy!
  • Court Ruling: Can LifeLock Still Legally Provide Identity Theft Protection?
    A new ruling just came down this week ending (for now, at least) the legal battle between credit bureau Experian and ID theft protection company LifeLock.
  • Friday Grab Bag - 5/29/2009
    It's Friday again, and that means it's time for the weekly SpendOnLife grab bag post. Here we share some of the week's more interesting tidbits from the world of credit and identity theft. Enjoy!
  • "Twitter Porn Names": Fun Social Networking Game? Or Something Darker?
    One of the latest trends to hit Twitter has been chain-mail games such as the latest "Twitter porn names" game. Seemingly innocuous, the game will gather things like your mother’s maiden name, the street where you grew up, and your first pet’s name and spit out a "porn name." Take a look at those pieces of information. What do they have in common? Look a little closer.
  • A "Self-Destruct" Option to Protect Your Personal Information
    It’s bad enough when a laptop is stolen, but the problem becomes exponentially worse if the laptop contains the sensitive information of customers or employees. A data breach can be very expensive for both the company involved and for those whose information was stolen. Luckily, though, Fujitsu/Willcom is creating a product that could ease a lot of stress for consumers.
  • Identity Thieves Now Targeting Companies, Not Just Consumers
    You may know all about personal identity theft, in which scammers pretend to be you so they can buy stuff or take out loans in your name. But identity thieves have taken the crime to the next level: corporate identity theft. Fraudsters are now stealing money by impersonating companies, not just consumers.
  • Supreme Court Ruling: ID Theft Law Can't Be Used against Illegal Immigrants
    Are illegal immigrants who use stolen and forged identification documents also identity thieves? The unanimous answer of "no" came down from the Supreme Court on Monday.
  • Round-up: Dateline Investigates Identity Theft (Part II)
    This is the second part of the NBC Dateline investigation, in which Chris Hansen and team travel to Africa and Europe in search of the real people behind the online scams.
  • Round-up: Dateline Investigates Identity Theft (Part I)
    Ever wonder who is out there selling, buying, and using stolen credit card information? These video segments show Chris Hansen and the Dateline team following the money (or the XBOX, plasma TV, or MP3 player, as the case may be). See how criminals play on innocent (though extremely gullible) people's emotions to make them links in intricate ID theft chains.
  • Is Your Business "Red Flag Rules" Compliant?
    Beginning tomorrow, May the 1st, any business that extends money, goods, or services on credit will be required to follow the Red Flag Rules. These Rules, part of the Fair and Accurate Credit Transaction Act, require businesses to take the lead in preventing the rampant crime of identity theft.
  • Friday Grab Bag - 4/24/2009
    Every Friday we round up interesting news tidbits, personal finance advice, and scam alerts we think you’ll find interesting or helpful. Check here each week for informative and slightly off-the-wall stories related to the economy, credit, and identity theft. You never know what you’ll find in the Friday grab bag. Enjoy!
  • What You Should Know About Medical Identity Theft
    Medical identity theft can ruin your credit and harm your health. Discover how this crime can happen, and what you should do to make sure you're not a victim.
  • Friday Grab Bag: Sign of the Times Edition
    Here's where we get to all the cool stuff that we discovered this week, from interesting news tidbits to sweet technology that we never knew existed. This week's theme is "Sign of the Times"....that is, you know you're living in 2009 if you're hearing phrases like "Saver's Remorse" and "8.9% unemployment rate," and cool items like woolly mammoths and English villages are up for sale but no one can afford them.
  • New Study: Financial Fraud Affects 7.5% of U.S. Adults
    A recent Gartner study surveyed 5,000 U.S. adults to gauge identity and financial fraud in this country, and the results were pretty astounding. Here are some of the key findings.
  • The Spend On Life Identity Theft Kit is Here!
    It’s finally here! The ultimate resource for identity theft victims is ready for download at SpendOnLife.com/idtheftkit. It contains all the crucial information that an ID theft victim needs to get over the crime and get on with their life.
  • Are Illegal Immigrants also Identity Thieves?
    Many illegal immigrants in this country are also identity thieves, at least in the eyes of the law. Ignacio Flores-Figueroa and his team of defense lawyers hope to change that.
  • Remember Those Funny Identity Theft Ads from Citi?
    Here's a round-up of those funny Citi Identity Theft commercials. Who can forget Chinese lady with a voice of a creepy bachelor, or the pair of old ladies talking like motorcycle-driving hicks?
  • Friday Grab Bag
    Here's where we get to all the cool stuff that we discovered this week, from interesting news tidbits to sweet technology that we never knew existed. You never know what you'll find in the SpendOnLife weekly grab bag. Enjoy!
  • Bypassing Biometric Security Devices
    Biometrics - the science of using our unique personal characteristics to confirm our identities - is no doubt cool. The slick technology has captured our imaginations in movies like Minority Report, Gattaca, and National Treasure, to name a few. But these same movies also point out biometrics’ vulnerabilities.
  • Real-World Biometrics
    Biometric technology isn’t quite as advanced or as accurate as Hollywood makes it out to be, but that doesn’t stop it from being used in a variety of interesting and practical ways.
  • How Much of Your Information Footprint is Left Online?
    You probably go through a lot to make sure your personal identifying information doesn’t fall into the hands of the wrong person. Your efforts may be in vain. If you’ve ever bought a house, gotten married, gotten divorced, or had a tax lien, your Social Security number could be on the internet waiting for a smart thief to come find it.
  • All about Check Washing

    Check washing is a form of identity theft that can quickly drain your bank account. Learn more about this curious and surprisingly common crime, and discover ways to protect yourself from it.

  • Latest Study Shows Identity Theft on the Rise

    The Javelin Strategy & Research Institute released its fifth annual report on identity theft this week. The results were a mixed bag...Read on for the overview.

  • Security Breach Costs at All-time High
    The cost of dealing with a company security breach is on the rise. It now takes an average of $6.6 million to repair the damage.
  • Credit Card Processor Announces Huge Data Breach

    Cybercriminals successfully hacked into Heartland Payment Systems; millions of customer records were breached.

  • Big Surprise: The IRS Doesn't Fully Protect Sensitive Taxpayer Information

    Don't assume that your personal information is safe with the IRS and other large data institutions. Start monitoring your credit today to make sure your information hasn't gotten into the wrong hands.

  • Aspiring Financial Advisor Wins $2000 SpendOnLife.com Scholarship

    Joseph McClellan, an ASU business student and personal finance blogger, wins the SpendOnLife.com $2000 blogging scholarship.

  • Visa Cards Go Hi-Tech
    To Visa, staying one step ahead of credit card fraud means developing a James-Bond-like gadget to keep in our wallets. Who knew credit cards could be more fun than they already are?
  • Raise the Red Flag: Businesses Now Required to Prevent Identity Theft
    The government is about to release its latest attack in the battle against identity theft. Find out what the Red Flag Rules are and how they benefit you.
  • Fed’s Annual Report on Identity Theft: Effective Enough?
    What is being done to protect you from America’s fastest growing crime? The 2008 Identity Theft Task Force Report reveals the government’s latest tactics against identity theft.
  • Nobody Cares if Someone Borrows Your Social Security Number
    The Federal government doesn't care. Employers don't care. Creditors don't care. Social security numbers are the "gateway drug" of identity theft. Once a thief has your digits, a world of wicked possibilities open up. So, why doesn't anyone care if you are not the only one using your SSN?