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Protect yourself from identity theft

Identity theft takes a significant toll on the financial health of consumers each year. Protecting confidential financial information, such as Social Security numbers and credit card accounts, is not an easy task.

    by By Chuck Myers, McClatchy-Tribune News Service (MCT), External
    Published 

Identity theft takes a significant toll on the financial health of consumers each year. Protecting confidential financial information, such as Social Security numbers and credit card accounts, is not an easy task. So, what can you do to safeguard private financial information or recover from an ID theft episode? Several Web sites offer good advice on the subject. Here are a few:

AARP

www.aarp.org/money/consumer/articles/WiseConsumerIdentityTheft.html

Good primer on identity theft and guarding your financial privacy.

American Bankers Association

www.aba.com/ABAEF/CNC_contips_idtheft.htm

Offers steps to protect against ID theft, and what to do if you become a victim.

Better Business Bureau

www.bbbonline.org/IDTheft/protect.asp

Covers the ins and outs of identity theft, and how to protect against it.

Federal Trade Commission

www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/idtheft/idt04.shtm

Features a wide range of information on fighting back against identity theft.

National Foundation for Credit Counseling

www.nfcc.org/FinancialEducation/consumertips/consumertips_04.cfm

Provides consumer tips for identity theft prevention.

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